Pittsburgh Whiplash Injury Lawyers
Legal help when you suffer whiplash in a Pennsylvania car accident
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries people experience after a car accident. While whiplash might not sound as serious as broken bones or head injuries, it can cause a lot of pain, disrupt your daily life, and lead to long-term complications.
The Pittsburgh car accident lawyers at Carmody and Ging, Injury & Accident Lawyers have a combined 60 years of experience helping people just like you. We understand how whiplash can affect car accident victims and their ability to move forward after an accident. We’re here to help.
Free Case Evaluation
What would you like to know?
- What is whiplash?
- What are the symptoms of whiplash?
- How does whiplash affect the body?
- What are the long-term effects of whiplash?
- How can I recover compensation for my Pittsburgh whiplash injury?
- How can your Pittsburgh car accident lawyers help?
- Do you have a Pittsburgh whiplash injury lawyer near me?
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when the head is suddenly and forcefully thrown back and forth. This motion is like the motion of cracking a whip – hence the name. This motion can stretch and strain the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck.
Most commonly, whiplash happens during rear-end car accidents, but it can also result from sports injuries, physical assaults, or any incident that causes the neck to move abruptly.
Whiplash is often called a “soft tissue injury,” but that doesn’t mean it’s a minor one. The pain and stiffness from whiplash can interfere with your ability to work, perform daily tasks, or even sleep comfortably.
What are the symptoms of whiplash?
The symptoms of whiplash can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain, depending on the severity of your injury. The following are the most common symptoms:
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Reduced range of motion in the neck
- Headaches, particularly at the base of the skull
- Shoulder or upper back pain
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Dizziness or fatigue
- Blurred vision or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things (often called “brain fog”)
One of the trickiest aspects of whiplash is that symptoms don’t always appear right away. Adrenaline and shock after an accident can mask pain, making you feel fine at first. For many, symptoms begin to appear within a few hours or a day after the accident. However, for some, symptoms may take several days or even weeks to develop fully.
This delayed onset of symptoms is why seeing a doctor immediately after an accident is important, even if you feel okay. Getting prompt evaluation and treatment can help prevent your injury from worsening.
How does whiplash affect the body?
Whiplash isn’t just neck pain. The injury can affect the soft tissues, nerves, and even the spine, wreaking widespread effects on your body:
- Whiplash’s rapid back-and-forth motion can cause tears or severe strains in the neck muscles and ligaments, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and pain.
- The force of the accident can push vertebrae out of alignment, causing ongoing discomfort and affecting posture.
- If the injury pinches or damages nerves in the neck, you may experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms and hands.
- Whiplash can sometimes cause a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion if the brain is jolted during the accident.
- The pain and limitations caused by whiplash can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, or depression, especially if your injury affects your ability to work or enjoy life.
What are the long-term effects of whiplash?
Although some people may recover from whiplash within a few weeks, others may experience symptoms that persist for months or even years. This is called chronic whiplash or post-whiplash syndrome. These long-term effects can include the following:
- Persistent neck pain and stiffness
- Reduced mobility
- Frequent or severe headaches
- Cognitive difficulties
- Emotional distress
If you’re experiencing lingering symptoms from a whiplash injury, make sure you get medical care. Chronic whiplash typically requires specialized treatments, such as physical therapy, pain management, or even surgery (in severe cases).
How can I recover compensation for my Pittsburgh whiplash injury?
You have the right to seek compensation if your whiplash injury resulted from a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Here’s how to pursue a claim.
- Your health should be your first priority. See a doctor as soon as possible after your accident to get your injuries diagnosed and begin treatment. Your medical records will also play an important role in proving your claim.
- Keep records of everything related to your injury, including medical bills and treatment records, a journal describing your pain, symptoms, and limitations, time missed from work or other activities, and photos of your vehicle and the accident scene. This documentation can strengthen your case and demonstrate the effects of the injury on your life.
- Notify your insurer and the at-fault driver’s insurance company about the accident. However, be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters – they may try to minimize your claim. Our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers can handle these communications for you.
- Consult with a Pittsburgh car accident lawyer to handle the legal process, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
How can your Pittsburgh car accident lawyers help?
The insurance company may try to downplay your whiplash injuries, arguing that they’re minor or unrelated to the accident. Our car accident lawyers know how to counter these tactics and fight for the compensation you deserve. Here’s how we can help:
- We gather evidence to show the other driver was at fault.
- We establish the seriousness of your whiplash with medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence.
- We handle negotiations with the insurance companies to protect you from being
- If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we’re always prepared to take your case to trial.
Do you have a Pittsburgh whiplash injury lawyer near me?
Carmody and Ging, Injury & Accident Lawyers office is located at 801 Vinial Street in Pittsburgh, on the 3rd floor of the Deutschtown Center building. Our office is on the North Shore, directly across the street from Penn Brewery, and parking outside is available. You can also reach us by bus – the Troy Hill Road bus stop is nearby. If you’re too injured to travel, our lawyers do make alternative arrangements, such as conducting a video conference or meeting you at your home or at a healthcare facility.
Pittsburgh whiplash injury lawyers on your side
If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury in a car accident, don’t wait to get the help you need. Dealing with pain, medical bills, and uncooperative insurance companies can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Contact the experienced Pittsburgh car accident lawyers at Carmody & Ging, Injury & Accident Lawyers today for a free consultation. We’re here to fight to secure the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your recovery and move forward with peace of mind. To schedule a free consultation with a whiplash injury lawyer, call our offices or complete our contact form.
