Car accidents are sudden, violent events, and the force from a collision can easily cause injuries even without directly impacting parts of the body.
Whiplash is one of South Carolina auto accidents’ most common indirect injuries. Whiplash affects the neck, shoulders, and upper back, making it difficult to move, work, and perform other activities. According to Rush University Medical Center, more than 2 million people across the United States suffer whiplash injuries yearly, most of which result from car accidents.
If you experience neck pain or other symptoms of whiplash after a car accident in Florence, contact the Jebaily Law Firm right away. Our Florence whiplash injury attorneys have more than 50 years of experience helping people injured in car accidents. We are ready to assist you with pursuing fair compensation for all your losses. We know how to win car accident whiplash cases and will do whatever we can to make the legal process quick and painless.
Contact our office in Florence today for a free consultation.
What Is Whiplash?
When two cars collide, anyone inside the vehicles will experience the force of the crash. The force can send your body flying forward, only for you to be jerked back to your original position because your seat belt activates. The violent jerking motion can put intense pressure on the bones, muscles, and connective tissues in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. The term “whiplash” comes from the fact that your body’s movement after a crash resembles cracking a whip.
Depending on how severe the injury is, whiplash can have significant long-term consequences. The bones and discs in your neck are fragile, and if they are injured, you may experience permanent effects, including paralysis in some cases. See a doctor immediately if you experience neck pain after a car crash.
Are You Experiencing Whiplash?
According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of whiplash injuries include:
- Stiffness and pain in your neck
- Increased pain in your neck or shoulders when turning or moving your head
- Headaches, especially at the base of your skull
- Tenderness or pain in your upper back, arms, or shoulders
- Tingling or numbness in your arms
- Trouble sleeping or unusual fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in your ears
- Dizziness
- Trouble focusing
- Memory issues
- Feeling aggravated or irritable for no apparent reason
The symptoms of whiplash are not always immediately evident after a crash, so it is critical to receive a complete medical exam as soon as possible.
Whiplash Medical Treatments in Florence
Whiplash injuries are often diagnosed using an X-ray, MRI, or another type of diagnostic imaging. Once a doctor has confirmed your whiplash injury, possible treatment options include:
- Icing or massaging the affected area – Ice therapy and massage can help reduce swelling in your neck and upper back and increase blood flow to promote your body’s natural healing process.
- Muscle relaxers – Stiffness in your neck and upper back is common after a whiplash injury. Using muscle relaxers can reduce the pain from the injury and enable you to move your head and neck more freely.
- Anti-inflammatory medications – The swelling from inflamed tissues in your neck, shoulders, and back can cause intense pain after a whiplash injury. Anti-inflammatory medications can reduce this swelling and help with the pain you are experiencing.
- Wearing a neck brace or collar – If you have suffered a severe whiplash injury, it may be necessary to wear a collar or neck brace to keep your head and neck stable. These devices help your body heal more effectively and prevent you from accidentally aggravating the injury.
- Physical therapy – You may need to retrain your body to move your head and neck in ways that don’t cause pain after a car accident. Physical therapy exercises can help reduce pain and restore your range of motion.
- Surgery – If you have suffered a severe whiplash injury, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged structures and tissues in your neck and upper back.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Your Whiplash Case
Whiplash can be a life-altering injury. You need to pursue full compensation from the negligent driver who caused the accident that injured you. Our Florence whiplash injury attorneys can help you seek the money you need by:
- Investigating the accident to identify all liable parties
- Collecting documentation of all your injuries
- Gathering evidence to support your claim
- Reviewing your documents before submitting an insurance claim
- Filing an insurance claim quickly after the crash
- Aggressively negotiating with the insurance company for a fair settlement
- Taking your case to court if the insurance company will not negotiate in good faith
Types of Car Accidents That Commonly Cause Whiplash
While any car accident can potentially cause a whiplash injury, some accidents that are more likely to cause whiplash are:
- Rear-end accidents – Rear-end collisions are a leading cause of whiplash injuries. When you are struck from behind, your body will be flung forward as your seat belt activates and your airbag deploys. Once either of those actions occurs, you may be slammed back into your original position. This violent jerking motion can easily lead to a whiplash injury.
- Sideswipe accidents – Being knocked sideways in a crash can also cause a whiplash injury. If you are struck from the side by another car traveling parallel to you, the sudden change in momentum can put severe pressure on your neck and upper back.
- T-Bone accidents – If you are the victim of a T-bone accident, your body will experience a similar change in momentum as being involved in a sideswipe accident. The difference is that because the other car struck you from a nearly 90-degree angle, the force from the crash is much higher than a sideswipe accident, making whiplash and other severe injuries more likely.
Contact Our Whiplash Injury Attorneys in Florence Now
Our team of experienced Florence whiplash injury lawyers is ready to listen to you and start working on your case immediately. Contacts the Jebaily Law Firm in Florence today for a free consultation with a South Carolina whiplash injury attorney.
