Car Accident? Why You Need a Houston Whiplash Injury Lawyer

Whiplash happens when the neck is forcibly pushed forwards or pulled backward. The sudden push and pull could make the neck strained or damaged, causing a whiplash injury. While some whiplash incidents could be considered relatively minor, some cases lead to spinal cord injury or even death.

Given the nature of whiplash, it is a common injury in car accidents. That could be a cause of concern, as car accidents occur much more frequently than you might think.

How often do car accidents occur in the United States?

The United States Center for Disease Control states alarming statistics. In 2020, the CDC reported that car accidents kill more than 110 individuals in the United States daily.

In fact, for the same year, reports of more than 41,000 car crash fatalities nationwide. Motor vehicle collisions, wherein a car or another type of road vehicle crashes into another. These are the leading cause of death among road accidents, accounting for 41% in 2020. Most of these car crashes proved fatal the same year, resulting in an estimated 17,500 deaths.

What type of car accidents cause whiplash?

Here’s why you should be concerned about whiplash. The same statistics from the United States National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that angle collisions from road vehicles led to an estimated 8,000 deaths.

Fatalities from head-on collisions are roughly 5,000 from car accident records. Rear-end collisions led to approximately 3,000 deaths. Lastly, sideswipe and other two-vehicle crashes contributed to an estimated 1,500 fatalities.

All of these tragic statistics only covered a period of one year. And the most worrying of them all? Whiplash injuries could have easily occurred as a result of these car accidents.

While it is common during rear-end collisions, it could also happen whenever another moving vehicle crashes into your car from any direction. Any sudden pressure from any part of your car, whether a side swipe or rear-end collision, could forcefully apply pressure on the neck. Any collision could cause your neck to lurch forwards or bend backward, resulting in whiplash.

Can drunk driving accidents cause whiplash injuries?

Whiplash injuries can happen during car crashes, especially those that involve drunk driving accident cases. Unfortunately, Texas drunk driving crashes occur more frequently than you think. In 2020, the Texas Department of Transportation reported 2,369 Houston drunk driving accidents, which resulted in 83 fatalities.

That’s why it’s important to contact a Houston car accident lawyer when faced with such circumstances. Car accident lawyers can help you seek punitive damages, especially when faced with wrongful death.

In another report, Forbes estimates that a grave car accident happens in the United States of America every 15 minutes. Among the statistics, drunk driving and overspeeding are America’s top causes of car crashes.

What happens when you get whiplash?

Some people might not need immediate medical assistance for whiplash. However, some whiplash car accidents could result in spinal cord injury. These cases cause physical harm, lost wages, pain, and suffering.

After all, car accident victims must receive immediate care from the hospital, file police reports regarding the accident, contact their insurance companies for claims, and even lose days at work from all the paperwork that needs to be filed, in addition to recuperating from the crash itself.

These things translate to medical bills, additional expenses, and lost wages. On top of all the inconveniences and expenses, car crash victims also have to wrestle with the mental trauma of getting into a car accident, with mounting pressure to quickly get back on track to regain physical mobility before the car crash.

I got into a truck accident. How do I know if I sustained whiplash injuries?

A telltale sign of whiplash is neck pain. Does your neck hurt a lot? Do you feel like the pain keeps getting worse? You might have to get yourself checked at the nearest hospital.

Other whiplash injury symptoms include loss of mobility in the neck (i.e., you’re having trouble moving your neck), headaches, dizziness, numbness in the upper extremities, shoulder pain, and fatigue.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above right after your truck accident, you better pay a visit to your doctor immediately, especially if you could not receive immediate medical attention at the time of the accident.

Your physician might request a battery of lab tests (such as x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans) to conclusively diagnose whiplash injuries and the extent of damage your body sustained during the accident.

 Can you get delayed symptoms of whiplash?

It is important to note that whiplash injuries may vary from person to person. Some victims of car accidents experience symptoms of whiplash right away. However, some do not experience pain right away.

If you get into a car accident, it is essential to pay attention to what your body is telling you. You might feel your whiplash injuries days or weeks after the car crash.

Make sure to take note of neck pain or numbness in the neck or shoulder area. Do you feel persistent headaches a week after the car accident? Set an appointment with your doctor, as you might feel delayed symptoms of whiplash injuries.

How long do whiplash injuries last?

People with minor whiplash injuries usually recover in a matter of weeks. Some need a few months to recover. Those who have sustained serious injuries might need a span of several months to get back to their former selves.

How are whiplash injuries treated?

There are a variety of treatment options for victims of whiplash injuries. Some patients might need to wear neck collars for protection, while others could be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines for the pain. For more serious cases, physical therapy or osteopathic intervention might be recommended by their doctors.

If you received whiplash injuries after a car accident, make sure that you listen to what your body is telling you. Symptoms of whiplash might occur a few days after the accident. If you feel off, in one way or another, visit your doctor as soon as possible.

Don’t brush off persistent neck pain, stiffness, or other symptoms such as headaches or shoulder pain. Whiplash injuries could present a bevy of symptoms, so it’s important to get yourself checked right away to ensure that you would be able to get proper medical attention at the soonest possible time. Don’t wait for the symptoms to worsen, which might lead to long-term complications.

I’m a car crash victim who sustained whiplash injuries. What should I do?

Law firms have drunk driving accident lawyers who can give sound advice for cases involving whiplash injuries and DUI accidents. These lawyers advocate for those who have sustained injuries due to somebody else’s negligence. One example of negligence is when the driver exceeds the speed limit.

Another example would be when an obviously intoxicated individual goes behind the wheel after having too many drinks at the bar. If a car accident occurs due to these irresponsible behaviors in any of the previously cited examples, the victim could file for damages.

Should I go to the hospital for whiplash injuries from a car accident?

If you have sustained whiplash injuries because of a car crash, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible. You have to ensure you can receive immediate attention to check the extent of your injuries.

You also have to make sure that all your medical records and other hospital-related documents are in order, so you can provide proof of the injuries you sustained due to the car crash.

Should I report my whiplash injuries to my insurance company?

At the same time, you also have to ensure that your insurance company knows the situation. Insurance companies need to know about accidents as soon as possible, and your whiplash injury lawyer could help you settle your insurance claims.

Contacting your insurance company immediately also provides helpful documentation regarding the accident. If available, ensure you can provide as many details as possible, such as photos of the accident or your car’s dash cam footage.

I’m in Houston; how do I contact the Houston personal injury lawyers?

If you have whiplash injuries after being hit by a drunk driver, ensure you can contact personal injury attorneys immediately. Whiplash victims of Houston car accidents must consult with Houston personal injury lawyers. Injury attorneys in Houston will guide whiplash victims in filing a personal injury claim.

Looking for a personal injury law firm in Houston? The Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm is a well-established law firm with more than 17 years of experience handling vehicle accidents. The Roxell Richards Law Firm is one of the best  Houston personal injury attorneys in Houston, TX.

Need help with your personal injury case? Got questions about contingency fees? Call us today at our local phone number (713) 974-0388 or through the toll-free hotline at 1-855-GOT-INJURED for a free consultation!