Whiplash is a serious injury that can cause lasting pain, limited movement, and other serious issues. Caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement of the head, severe whiplash could have a significant impact on your life for weeks, months, or longer.
The Brockton, MA whiplash injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan can help you pursue compensation if you’ve suffered whiplash in an accident someone else’s negligence caused. Our personal injury attorneys have more than 30 years of combined legal experience and have helped our clients recover significant compensation. To learn more about how we can help you with a whiplash injury claim, contact our office for a free initial consultation.
What Are Whiplash Injuries?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, whiplash is a type of neck injury caused by the neck being bent forcibly backward and then forward, or vice-versa. The force from the sudden acceleration and deceleration puts intense strain on the neck’s muscles, tendons, and nerves.
Whiplash injuries are usually diagnosed by examinations which may include X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. Treatment for whiplash injuries include:
- Icing the affected area
- Wearing a neck collar
- Anti-inflammatory medications and/or muscle relaxers
- Physical therapy
- Surgery, in extreme cases
Common Causes of Whiplash Injuries
Anything that causes your head and neck to snap back and forth violently can lead to a whiplash injury. However, some of the more common causes include:
- Motor-vehicle accidents — Car accidents, especially rear-end accidents, are perhaps the most common cause of whiplash claims. Even at relatively low speeds, the force from a rear-end collision can snap your head violently back and forth, leading to whiplash.
- Sports injuries — Contact sports such as football can cause whiplash if an impact with the ground, another player, or some other object causes your head to jerk violently.
- Physical abuse or assaults — A hard blow to the head can cause the sudden back-and-forth movement to the neck associated with whiplash injuries.
- Bicycle accidents — The force from the impact in a bicycle accident can cause whiplash, as can the secondary impact of hitting the ground.
- Slip-and-fall accidents — A hard fall can cause your head to snap back violently when your back hits the ground, causing whiplash injuries.
A knowledgeable whiplash attorney can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your injury and determine if you may have grounds for a whiplash injury claim.
Symptoms of Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash symptoms commonly include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain that worsens when you move
- Limited range of motion in your neck
- Headaches, often at the base of the skull
- Muscle spasms
- Tenderness in the neck, shoulder, upper back, or arms
- Lingering pain in your neck, shoulders, or head
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Constant weariness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory issues
- Ringing in your ears
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling irritable
Talk to a doctor right away if you have numbness or weakness in your arms or if the symptoms spread to your shoulders or arms, as these may be signs of a more serious injury.
How Can I File a Whiplash Claim in Massachusetts?
A whiplash injury attorney can help you file a claim for compensation if another person’s negligence caused your injury. Here are some of the steps you should take to increase the chances of a satisfactory outcome:
- See a doctor — You need to talk to a doctor as soon as you can. Putting off treatment will likely lead to more severe symptoms and can make it more difficult for you to recover compensation.
- Document the accident — Take pictures of the area where the accident occurred if you can. These pictures may be crucial evidence that supports your whiplash injury claim. If you were involved in a car accident, get the other vehicle’s license plate number and the driver’s insurance information.
- Save your medical records, bills, and other proof of your losses — You’ll need thorough documentation of your injuries after suffering whiplash, so be sure to hang on to all your medical records. You’ll also want to save your medical bills, pay stubs, and any other documents that show the financial harm you’ve suffered due to your injuries.
- Don’t talk to any insurance companies — Anything you say to insurance companies related to a whiplash claim can potentially be used against you to deny your claim or reduce the amount of compensation you receive. Your best bet is not to say anything and let your lawyer handle all correspondence with the insurance companies. Be especially careful not to give any recorded statements.
- Stay away from social media — Insurance companies can use your social media posts against you, so don’t give them any ammunition with which to fight your claim. Even if you think your settings are private, they can find ways to see what you’re posting.
- Hire an attorney — Whiplash injuries can cause debilitating pain in your neck and shoulders, leaving you in no shape to handle a claim on your own. A whiplash attorney can get to work on your case while you get the medical treatment you need.
Can I Receive Compensation for Whiplash Injuries in Brockton, MA?
You may be able to receive substantial compensation for a whiplash injury if you can prove another party is responsible for your injury. Whiplash injury compensation may include payment for:
- Your medical bills
- Your physical pain and suffering
- Your mental health effects from the accident and your injuries
- Your lost wages
- Your reduced future earning potential if you’ve suffered a long-term disability
Under Massachusetts law, you have three years from the date you sustained your injury to file a whiplash injury lawsuit — so don’t wait to talk to an attorney if you want fair compensation for all that you’ve lost.
Contact an Experienced Brockton, MA, Whiplash Lawyer Today
The Brockton, MA whiplash injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan are ready to fight for the financial compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free initial consultation and to learn about your options for financial recovery.
