Whiplash in a DC car accident occurs most commonly when you are rear-ended. Anyone who has suffered a whiplash injury understands how painful it can be. At least daily, the car accident attorneys at Gelb & Gelb receive a call from a victim of a car accident who received whiplash. Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth neck movement. It is thought that the neck behaves as when someone cracks a whip. This is an unnatural movement for someone’s neck. Many people take their health for granted. However, when one suffers a whiplash injury in a DC car accident, they soon understand how uncomfortable it can be.
A whiplash injury can impact every aspect of your day. This injury can lead to an array of complications. In addition to requiring months of physical therapy to alleviate your pain, it affects every part of your daily routine. You may be unable to participate in hobbies, get adequate sleep, which affects every part of your day, and countless other activities. You are entitled to compensation for this. However, a whiplash injury is more complex than it may appear on its face. Proving that you suffered the injury is not as tangible as, for example, a broken bone. Understanding the nature of a whiplash injury from a medical and legal perspective is crucial to obtaining fair compensation for your case. Whiplash in a DC car accident can be disruptive. If you are in pain, you deserve compensation for your injuries.
While we cannot alleviate your pain, we can provide the guidance and support you need to navigate the complex legal process. At Gelb & Gelb, we are committed to fighting to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve in your case.
When your car is rear-ended, the force from the impact will propel you forward. You most likely drive with your back on your seat while your head is not on the headrest. Thus, when the car is struck, the seat tosses your body forward and leaves your head behind. When your body eventually tugs your head forward, your body will have come to a stop, either because of the seatbelt or airbag. This back-and-forth movement is what causes the strain and sprain, commonly referred to as whiplash. However, note that not every collision occurs precisely from the center rear. Your car may be struck on the angle of either side of the rear. If this happens, you may still suffer from whiplash in a DC car accident.
These are the standard expectations a doctor will investigate once he learns his patient was in a rear-end collision. But that does not mean that you will not suffer from whiplash if your accident happens another way.
What if your car is struck on its side? While less common, you can suffer from whiplash when your head shakes violently from side to side. While this may not be what one imagines when they consider a whiplash injury, any jostling or whipping of the neck may qualify as whiplash in a DC car accident. We have learned that whiplash occurs when your head is thrown forward. Just as quickly as it can be thrown forward from a rear-end collision, a head-on collision can cause problems. Especially when an occupant’s car comes to a sudden stop, momentum will continue to carry your head forward. It is being thrown forward for a different reason, but the result is similar.
In DC car accidents, speed is always a factor. However, whiplash in a DC car accident can happen at any speed. While your ultimate injury may be more severe if you or the person who hit you was driving at a higher speed at the time of impact, that is not necessary to cause injury. Many clients reported to our attorneys that they were moving in a relatively slow area, like a school zone, yet their soreness was severe. The age of the victim can also play a role.
Recognizing the symptoms of whiplash is critical. Many times, the primary symptom of whiplash is soreness that persists for months. However, the soreness often will set in a day or two after the accident. Thus, how you respond to an insurance company asking about your accident can make or break your case. If you tell them you feel fine because you do, that might be enough to ruin our chance of settlement. So, what are the immediate symptoms to look out for post-accident?
You may notice those symptoms anywhere from immediately following the accident to a few days later. However, the issue with whiplash is that it can have longer-term effects, too. These symptoms may include:
What distinguishes these symptoms from those that manifest earlier is that they are related to brain activity. While it is clear that whiplash can injure your neck, it can also hurt your brain. If you suspect this might be the case, it is critical to seek immediate medical attention. You may require a brain imaging scan or some other test to determine the extent of your injury. Brain injuries are not fully understood, but what doctors do know is how serious they can be, even for a relatively minor accident.
After whiplash in a DC car accident, it is imperative to perform the correct steps to give yourself the best chance of obtaining compensation for your injuries. First, if you are hurt, seek medical attention. While there are other essential parts of your response to an accident, none are as important as getting yourself medical attention if you are suffering a severe or life-threatening injury. If you believe you can delay going to the emergency room by an hour, you can continue to step two. Step two entails collecting evidence to be later used by your car accident lawyer during settlement negotiation or trial. Evidence and information to collect include photographs of the scene, property damage to the vehicles involved in the accident, the full name and address of the adverse driver, their insurance information, vehicle information, and insurance information.
While we may be able to assist with less than all of this information, the more you have, the better off you will be.
Third, speak to a DC car accident law firm. Our attorneys will help you maximize your compensation for your injuries. While your case does have value, negotiating for this value and unlocking other pieces of compensation, such as no-fault coverage, can increase the value of your claim beyond what is already there when you come to our office. Having practiced personal injury law in DC for 70 years, we understand the intricate details of valuing a case. Moreover, while the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years, there are other statutes of limitations to be aware of. There are different statutes if you use the District of Columbia and want to make a PIP claim on a DC, Maryland, or Virginia-insured vehicle.
If you suffer from whiplash in a DC car accident, contact Gelb & Gelb, P.C. immediately for a free consultation. Our phone lines are available 24/7 to answer your calls. You may reach us at (202) 331-7227.
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