If you have been injured in a car accident and suffered whiplash, it is important first to seek help from a medical professional, then contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve for your injury.

A whiplash injury can be very traumatic and cause long-term pain, and it is important to have someone on your side who understands the law and can help you get through this difficult time. Contact the experienced personal injury lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the head’s sudden forward and backward movement. This type of injury is often referred to as “acceleration/deceleration trauma.”

Car accidents most commonly cause whiplash, but they can also occur during other types of trauma, such as a fall or sports injury. The forces involved in these incidents cause the head to move violently backward and then forward again, which can damage ligaments and muscles around your neck.

How Do I Know If I Have Whiplash?

The best way to know if you have whiplash is to have a doctor examine you as soon as possible. What might seem like whiplash could be a much more serious, potentially life-threatening neck injury or spinal cord injury.

Common Whiplash Symptoms

The symptoms of whiplash don’t always manifest immediately following an accident, and it’s not uncommon for victims to go days without noticing the signs of a neck strain injury. However, here are some symptoms to look out for if you’ve been in a car accident.

Common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Pain in neck muscles and stiffness
• Worsening of pain with neck movement
• Loss of range of motion in the neck
• Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull
• Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

Some people also have:

• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems

If you have been in an auto accident and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should seek medical treatment. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent further injury and improve your prognosis.

How Long Does Whiplash Last After a Car Accident?

Many whiplash injuries can last anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the severity of the injury. It is even possible that the injury may be permanent, and you may have chronic pain. 

Long-Term Effects of Whiplash After a Car Accident

Some whiplash victims experience the long-term effects of whiplash for months or years to come. The most severe whiplash injury cases may face chronic whiplash, which includes neck pain, back pain, difficulty sleeping, long-term bouts of dizziness, memory problems, depression, headaches, and numbness or weakness in the hands.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after your car accident, be sure to speak with your doctor about treatment options.

How Are Whiplash Injuries Treated?

Whiplash injuries are usually treated with a combination of pain medication, physical therapy, and rest. 

Can a Minor Accident Cause Whiplash?

Yes, even a minor car accident can cause whiplash. 

Can I Sue for a Whiplash Injury?

You may be able to sue for a whiplash injury if the accident that caused your injury was someone else’s fault. To determine whether you have a case, it is important to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who can review the facts of your situation and advise you on your best course of action. If you decide to file a lawsuit, your attorney will help you gather evidence to support your claim and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company for fair compensation.

What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You

The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers at  Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

Determining the Value of Your Case

The amount of your settlement will vary depending on the facts and circumstances of your case.

Here are some settlements the personal injury lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.  have obtained for injury victims:

Here are a few of our case results:

• $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
• $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
• $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
• $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
• $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of client suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

Contact an Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

 We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.