Houston Whiplash Injury Attorneys

Like most of us, you might take the health of your back, shoulders, and neck for granted until you are suddenly injured in an accident. After an accident, it may become glaringly clear you no longer enjoy the pain-free movement or flexibility you once had, and that you need the legal counsel of a whiplash injury lawyer. If simply turning your head to the left or right a few inches or nodding up or down causes excruciating pain after an accident, then you may have whiplash. While this may not be a catastrophic injury, it is usually serious enough to keep you from work, make daily activities painful, and contribute to a number of medical bills. It is also possible for whiplash to be a more significant injury that requires extensive treatment.

If you have been diagnosed with whiplash after an accident that was caused by another person’s carelessness, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing, then do not hesitate to reach out to our Houston serious injury lawyers at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. We can guide you through the process of recovering compensation for your injuries.

Call us today at 281-283-8500 , or contact us online to see how we can help.

What is Whiplash?

People have a tendency to use the term “whiplash” whenever they have any neck and shoulder pain from a sudden collision. However, whiplash is more specific than extreme or persistent neck pain – though this is the most common symptom. Whiplash is a cervical strain or sprain. This means the muscles, tendons, or ligaments within the neck have been overly stretched or torn. This type of injury can be relatively minor, requiring only rest and basic pain management to treat. However, whiplash can also be a significant injury that requires surgical intervention, physical therapy, and more serious methods of pain relief.

What Causes Whiplash?

Whiplash is commonly caused in rear-end auto accidents. However, this is not the actual cause of whiplash, it is simply the most common type of accident that leads to it. You can sustain whiplash any time your head and neck is forced to rapidly move back and forth or at an angle. For instance, if you are stopped very suddenly, inertia can send your head forward, only to have your head whipped backward when you collide with another object with force. Whiplash can also occur if your head is forced backward first, and then forward too quickly.

While car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash, they are also often the result of contact sports or a physical assault.

Signs of Whiplash

If you were recently in a car accident or another type of incident and you experience these symptoms, go to a doctor immediately. Common signs of whiplash include:

• Neck pain and tenderness
• Shoulder pain and tenderness
• Stiffness
• Headaches, often at the base of the skill
• Loss of flexibility and range of motion in the neck
• Worsening pain while moving your neck
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

When you go to a physician, they will question you regarding the pain and tenderness in your back, shoulders, and neck. They will examine the range of motion in your neck, as well as your reflexes and strength. A doctor may also use an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to determine the damage to your neck and whether you are suffering from whiplash or another type of injury. An X-ray and CT scan can show your doctor bone damage and dislocations, while an MRI is better at showing any injuries to soft tissue and your bones.

Treating Whiplash

If you have a minor to moderate case of whiplash, your physician’s goals are likely to restore your normal range of motion of strength while controlling your pain. This may necessitate rest, wearing a neck brace for a brief period of time, using heat or ice, performing certain exercises, and taking medications for pain relief. If your injuries are not extremely severe, you may be able to rely on over-the-counter medications for your pain. However, your physician can also prescribe strong pain relievers and muscle relaxers if necessary.

The Consequences of Whiplash

Much of what you read on the internet will repeat that whiplash is a mild to moderate injury. It is not overly serious, and most people fully recover. However, this clinical discussion of whiplash does not take into account the weeks and months you spend dealing with the injury.

You may suffer significant pain for weeks or months after the accident, which can make it difficult or impossible to work, take care yourself, and participate in your hobbies. You may have to fight for time off work because you cannot get through a full day of work with your pain and lack of range of movement. You may need your friends, family, or hired caretakers to help you with everyday tasks like cleaning, doing laundry, and buying groceries. Playing sports or working out might be entirely out of the question.

It is all too easy for others who are not suffering from whiplash to argue that it is a minor injury. However, at The Krist Law Firm, P.C., we understand a neck injury has a wide range of serious consequences that you deserve to be compensated for.

Contact Our Houston Whiplash Lawyers for Help

The Krist Law Firm, P.C. understands how even minor accidents can completely change your life. We will guide you through the insurance claim or litigation process while always protecting your rights and explaining your options. We understand that what you need right now is a knowledgeable attorney and compassion. We are here to give you the information, skills, and resources your need to obtain the compensation you deserve.

If you suffered whiplash in a car crash, maritime accident, assault, or other type of incident that was the result of another person’s negligence, contact us online, or call us at 281-283-8500 immediately.