An Atlanta car accident can severely strain your neck, make turning your head painful, and limit your normal range of motion. The effects of soft tissue damage to the neck, often referred to as whiplash injury, may last months after the car crash. Severe soft tissue injuries can limit your ability to work and cause you to amass costly medical bills.
The Atlanta whiplash lawyers at Bayuk Pratt understand the pain, disruption, and financial stress a serious collision can cause. Our legal team can review your accident and discuss your legal options. If another driver’s carelessness caused your whiplash injury, we can help you demand fair compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Our legal team has over 50 years of combined legal experience and has earned a reputation for exceptional results. What we’re most proud of, though, is our client reviews. Trust our team to guide you through the legal process and stand up for your rights. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a type of neck injury that commonly occurs in car accidents. The blunt force of being struck from behind in a vehicle can cause the occupants’ heads to jerk rapidly forward. The sudden trauma to the neck and surrounding bones and connective tissue can cause a partial tear or complete tear and intense pain. The healing process for most soft tissue injuries is a matter of weeks to a few months.
What Sort of Accidents Can Cause Whiplash?
Some common types of car accidents that cause whiplash include:
- Rear-end accidents — Rear-end collisions are the most common cause of whiplash injuries because the impact of the crash can cause a car occupant’s head to move back and forth with excessive force.
- Head-on accidents — Head-on collisions can cause whiplash injuries by forcing a driver’s or passenger’s head rapidly back toward their headrest. The head may jerk forward again, putting additional strain on the neck and surrounding tissues.
- T-Bone accidents — A T-Bone crash can cause whiplash injuries by forcing the head to the side at an unnatural angle or with severe force. A T-Bone collision may also cause a car to spin out of control. The rapid spinning motion can put intense strain on the neck.
- Rollover accidents — Rollover crashes can cause vehicle occupants to roll about as the car flips. A person’s head and neck may bend in multiple directions within a few seconds in a rollover accident, leading to severe whiplash injuries.
- Multi-vehicle accidents — A driver involved in a multi-vehicle accident may experience multiple impacts from different angles, with each impact jerking their head and body in multiple directions at high speeds.
What Are Some Symptoms of an Atlanta Whiplash Injury?
Some whiplash injury symptoms appear immediately. Others take days or weeks to become apparent. Some common whiplash symptoms include:
- Neck pain, which can range from mild to severe
- Stiffness or difficulty moving the neck
- Headaches, particularly ones that start at the base of the skull
- Shoulder and upper back pain
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Fatigue or feeling overly tired
- Tingling or numbness in the arms or hands due to pressure on or damage to nerves in the neck, back, or shoulders
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
- Irritability or mood changes
- Sleeping problems, such as trouble falling or staying asleep.
Can a Whiplash Injury Be Treated?
Several possible treatments exist for whiplash injuries, depending on the severity of the injury.
Some common whiplash treatments include:
- Ice and heat therapy — Applying ice packs as an initial treatment shortly after a whiplash injury can help reduce swelling and pain in the affected areas. In later days and weeks, heat pads can help relax tight muscles.
- Rest and reduced activity — Whiplash treatment involves rest and minimizing physical activity, which allows the inflamed area to heal.
- Pain medication — Over-the-counter pain medications can help mitigate the effects of a whiplash injury or similar soft tissue injuries. Patients with severe sprains or chronic pain may need stronger prescription anti-inflammatory medication.
- Physical therapy — Gentle range–of–motion exercises, massage therapy, and similar treatments can help reduce swelling or inflammation in affected muscles or other tissues.
- Neck braces or collars — People with severe whiplash injuries may need a neck brace or collar to hold their heads in place and allow damaged tissues to heal without risking further injury. However, it’s crucial to limit the use of neck braces or collars to prevent long-term complications.
What Evidence Do You Need for an Atlanta Whiplash Claim?
Your wiplash injury attorney will seek two types of evidence to develop an Atlanta whiplash claim. The first type of evidence proves that someone else caused the accident through carelessness or negligence, leading to your injury.
For example, a police report may contain the investigating officer’s notes about how the accident occurred, which driver was at fault, and any traffic citations the officer issued. Eyewitness accounts or surveillance footage can provide neutral perspectives on the collision. The goal is to show how another driver caused the collision through their careless actions.
The second type of evidence needed is proof that the accident caused your injuries and their effects. Your medical records, notes from your doctor or physical therapist, testimony from friends and family, and your account can help show how your injury affects your daily life. An experienced Atlanta whiplash accident attorney can gather evidence to support your claim.
What Sort of Compensation Could You Receive for an Atlanta Whiplash Injury Lawsuit?
The compensation in an Atlanta whiplash accident settlement will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, whether surgical repair was needed, and the insurance policies available to pay the claim.
Generally, you can seek compensation for the following types of losses:
- Current and future medical expenses related to the accident
- Lost income and reduced future earnings due to your injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- The cost to repair or replace any property damaged in the accident.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Whiplash Claim in Georgia?
Georgia law allows an injured person only two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who was at fault. You might have additional time if you didn’t immediately discover your injury. It’s essential to contact a whiplash accident attorney right away to preserve your right to pursue compensation. Contact our Atlanta whiplash injury lawyer today.
Contact an Atlanta Whiplash Injury Lawyer
The legal professionals at Bayuk Pratt in Atlanta, GA, are proud of the legal representation we provide to help injured people move forward after serious injuries. Our two lead attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers who understand the tactics that insurance companies use to deny claims. Our attorneys use that insider’s knowledge to our clients’ advantage. We have recovered over $300 million for our clients. Let Bayuk Pratt discuss how we can handle your legal case while you heal. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.