Waldorf, MD Whiplash Injury Attorneys

Lawyers for Whiplash in Car Accidents or Other Situations in Waldorf, Maryland

When an accident occurs, a person may suffer multiple types of injuries. Whiplash is one of the most common issues that affects injury victims, and it can cause serious harm to the neck, shoulders, and upper body. It can lead to serious pain, restrictions on a person's movements, and other ongoing symptoms that can affect a person's daily life, their ability to work, their finances, and their overall health.

Whiplash can happen when a person's head and neck are forced to move backward and forward or from side to side rapidly. This sudden motion can stretch, tear, or inflame muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves in the neck and shoulders. Although whiplash is sometimes described as a "soft tissue injury," that does not mean it is minor. A victim may experience ongoing pain and mobility problems that can interfere with many aspects of their life.

The lawyers at Farmer & Klopfer work with people in Waldorf and the surrounding areas who have experienced whiplash and other types of injuries in accidents that were caused by negligence. We have extensive experience representing clients in personal injury cases involving catastrophic injuries. We understand the legal issues that will need to be addressed, the evidence that can be used to show that another party was negligent, and the best strategies for maximizing the compensation that our clients can receive.

Why Whiplash Is Common in Car Accidents

In a collision between two vehicles, the forces placed on a person's body can lead to whiplash. In a rear-end crash, a person's body may be pushed forward by the impact, and their head may be forced to move backward and then suddenly forward. In a T-bone accident, the same type of motion may occur as a person's head is forced to move from side to side. This can place intense stress on the spine and the surrounding tissues in the neck.

Whiplash may occur even in car accidents that seem to be relatively minor. Low-speed collisions can still generate enough force to injure the neck, especially when a person is not expecting the impact and has no opportunity to brace themselves. If a person's head was turned at the time of a collision, if multiple impacts occurred in an accident, or if a person strikes their head on the surfaces inside their vehicle, the injuries they suffer may be especially serious.

Other Situations Where Whiplash May Occur

In addition to situations involving car accidents, whiplash may occur in other situations involving negligence, including:

• Slip and Fall Accidents: When a person slips on a wet floor or trips on an obstacle, their head and neck may jerk violently as they fall to the ground. Serious neck injuries or spinal cord injuries may be more likely to occur in situations where a person falls from an upper level to a lower level.
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents: When a person is struck by a vehicle, they may experience whiplash in the initial collision or after they land on the ground.
• Boating Accidents: A collision involving a boat or a situation where a person is struck by a boat while swimming, water skiing, or using a personal watercraft can cause serious damage to the neck, including whiplash.

How Whiplash Can Affect the Neck and Shoulders

Whiplash can damage multiple types of tissues in the upper body. Muscles may be strained, ligaments may stretch or tear, and tendons may become inflamed or damaged. The sudden force may also lead to stretched, ruptured, or severed nerves. In serious cases, the nerves in the spinal cord may be damaged.

In some cases, the symptoms of whiplash may appear right away, but many people do not begin to experience pain, stiffness, or other issues until hours or days after the accident. Common effects of whiplash include neck pain, shoulder pain, stiffness in the neck, headaches, dizziness, jaw pain, and reduced range of motion in the neck and shoulders. Some victims may experience numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms or hands.

Whiplash can also interfere with a person's concentration, sleep, and mood. An injury victim may have trouble driving, sitting at a computer, lifting objects, or handling other tasks while at work or at home. Ongoing pain, dizziness, fatigue, and other symptoms may contribute to anxiety, irritability, and other issues that can affect a person's quality of life.

Treatment for Whiplash Injuries

The treatment a person may receive after suffering whiplash will depend on the severity of the injury and the symptoms they have experienced. When a person initially visits a doctor, diagnostic imaging like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be used to check for fractures, injuries to the discs in the spine, or other types of damage. This can help determine what forms of treatment will be necessary.

The steps taken to address the effects of whiplash may include:

• Medications such as muscle relaxers to address inflammation or painkillers to address a person's pain and discomfort
• Physical therapy, which may include stretching and strengthening exercises or massage therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Temporary use of a cervical collar
• Restrictions on the types of activities a person can perform while they are recovering

In some cases, injury victims may need to work with neurologists or other specialists to determine what forms of treatment will be needed to address the damage that has occurred and alleviate their symptoms. In cases involving nerve compression, damage to the discs in the spine, or torn muscles or ligaments, surgery or other forms of extensive treatment may be necessary.

Contact Our Waldorf Whiplash Injury Attorneys

Whiplash can cause numerous types of symptoms that can lead to difficulties that can affect an injury victim's daily life. In addition to medical bills for emergency care and other forms of treatment, a victim may be unable to return to work right away, or they may experience ongoing physical limitations that could affect their ability to maintain employment. At Farmer & Klopfer, our attorneys will work to ensure that our clients can address their financial losses and the personal impact that whiplash and other injuries have had on their lives. Contact our Waldorf, MD whiplash lawyers at 301-843-3890 to set up your free consultation.