Seattle Whiplash Injury Attorneys
One of the most common injuries suffered in Washington car accidents is whiplash. Victims may suffer debilitating neck or back injuries, and if not properly treated, these conditions can worsen over time. Depending upon the cause of the whiplash injury, compensation may be available for the injured victim.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash often involves hypertension (when the head is jerked forward) or hyperflexion (when a head is forced backward). This kind of sudden and unnatural movement can result in injuries to the upper torso, neck, or head. The term whiplash typically refers to injuries suffered in the neck.
Whiplash Injuries
There are many potential injuries suffered due to whiplash injuries. Whiplash injury accidents may result in:
- Intervertebral joint damage
- Damaged neck ligaments
- Cervical spine injury
- Disc damage
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Victims may suffer a concussion, memory loss, fractured skull, severe neck pain, debilitating back pain, and future suffering.
Necessity of Treatment
Many victims of whiplash accidents in Washington may only feel soreness in their neck immediately after the crash. In such cases, it is common for the whiplash victims to decide they do not require medical attention. This can be a serious mistake. Depending upon the severity of the damage to the neck and the location of the injury, the resulting damages can get progressively worse. Nearly all whiplash victims have the ability to fully recover. Victims of whiplash injuries may be offered a soft cervical collar to limit movement of the neck because for some whiplash injuries, prolonged immobilization can help the neck heal. Once healthy enough, the injured victim may require physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and/or massage therapy. Some experts recommend multiple rotational exercises an hour to increase mobility and strength.
Seeking Compensation for Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash injuries can occur anytime someone's head is jerked back and forth. Washington whiplash accidents may involve a slip and fall accident, a falling object injury, or a car crash. It is not always easy to receive compensation for a whiplash injury. Many people do not take this potentially debilitating injury seriously and insurance companies often require convincing that an injury actually occurred.
Victims of Washington whiplash accidents have to prove that someone else's negligence caused the accident and that the accident resulted in an injury. Victims would be well-advised to speak with the authorities about the accident, to exchange contact information from anyone that witnessed the crash, to seek immediate medical attention, and to contact an experienced lawyer.
Experienced Seattle whiplash injury lawyers, like those at Hardwick & Pendergast, understand how to get fair compensation for their clients if they have suffered a whiplash injury or other injury in a Washington car crash. If you or a loved one has suffered whiplash injuries due to another person’s negligence, please contact our law offices to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Whiplash Injury Recoveries
- $595,000 recovery for neck and back injuries in two separate car accidents in Auburn.
- $145,000 recovery for neck injury in Des Moines rear-end accident.
- $145,000 recovery for neck injury in rear-end accident in Federal Way.
- $130,000 recovery for Bellevue rear-end accident neck injury.
- $127,000 recovery for Enumclawa rear-end accident neck injury.
- $125,000 recovery for neck injury in Covington rear-end accident.
