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Whiplash is a serious neck injury that happens when a person’s neck is subject to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement. It is called “whiplash” because the movement that causes it is like cracking a whip. Most whiplash injuries occur in car accidents, though sports accidents, slip, and fall accidents, and abuse may also cause whiplash. While some instances of whiplash get better within a few weeks, many victims may suffer long-lasting effects, like chronic neck and back pain. If you or your loved one suffered whiplash from a car accident or other forceful trauma, it’s important to speak with a Washington, DC car accident lawyer to learn what your legal options should be.
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Complications from whiplash can rack up medical expenses at an alarming rate. Working with a skilled whiplash accident attorney increases your chances of securing the maximum amount of compensation that will offset all medical costs related to your accident. The Regan Zambri Long whiplash accident lawyers offer free initial consultations where we will discuss your case and present all legal options. Call today to get the process started.
The most common cause of whiplash is a rear-end car accident. Rear-end car accidents are when a driver hits your car from behind. In Washington DC, rear-end collisions are the most common type of automobile accident, mostly due to the heavy traffic in the District. These kinds of accidents can be caused by:
Another cause of whiplash is contact sports. Football tackles, hockey checks, and other forceful connections can cause the victim’s neck to jerk back and forth, causing a whiplash injury. Finally, physical abuse is another main cause of whiplash. Sudden punches to the head or violent shaking can all cause this injury. Unfortunately, children are often victims of whiplash. Shaken Baby Syndrome or Whiplash Shaken Infant Syndrome is a brain injury that results from forcefully shaking a baby or a toddler. This disgusting type of abuse destroys the child’s brain cells and prevents oxygen from getting to the baby’s brain, often causing permanent brain damage.
Many people underestimate the severity of whiplash and consider it a minor injury. That could not be further from the truth. Researchers at Johns Hopkins call whiplash a misunderstood injury that involves muscles, discs, nerves, and tendons. This particular injury has a wide range of symptoms, including:
If you were recently involved in a car accident or injured on the sports field and are experiencing any of these symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately. If the symptoms of whiplash are not tended to properly, they could worsen very quickly. Once you have had a thorough examination by a doctor, reach out to a Regan Zambri Long car accident attorney to get the claims process started.
Whiplash can usually be diagnosed by a medical doctor after hearing your symptoms, doing a thorough examination, and asking questions about your injury. The doctor may start with an x-ray to rule out other back and neck injuries. However, whiplash injuries can damage your soft tissue which may not show up on the x-ray.
The two other ways a doctor will diagnose whiplash are:
Once a whiplash diagnosis is made your doctor will begin a treatment plan based on the severity of the injury, your age, your overall health, and your medical history. Treatments for whiplash may include:
The one thing these treatments have in common: they are all expensive. Ongoing medical treatment for chronic pain or injuries can rack up the victim’s bills. The Regan Zambri Long whiplash lawyers will make sure you recover a fair settlement that will cover all current and future medical expenses.
There are several steps to take when you file a whiplash injury claim. You are not required to have legal counsel when you file, but your chances of securing higher compensation will greatly increase if you have an experienced whiplash accident attorney by your side.
The most important thing to do is make sure you are safe and healthy. If you were in a car accident that caused whiplash, or if you were in a sports accident or violent altercation, seek medical attention immediately. If the person who was responsible for the accident tries to talk you out of going to a doctor, do not listen to them. Going to a doctor will help you recover and it will be beneficial in your whiplash accident claim.
Be sure to call our whiplash accident attorneys before you make or take any calls to the insurance company. Insurance companies are notorious for lowballing whiplash accident victims with the lowest settlement offer possible. A Regan Zambri Long whiplash accident lawyer will not allow that to happen. Call today for a free consultation and we will take care of the correspondence and the negotiations with the insurance companies.
If you were injured in a car accident, the liability for the accident may be on several parties. The Regan Zambri Long whiplash accident lawyers will obtain the police report, use footage from the accident, speak with eyewitnesses, and document photos and testimonies to determine each party that is at fault. Once we have made our determination, we will hold each party accountable for their negligence. We will aggressively pursue the following damages:
There is no estimate of how much compensation you may receive from a whiplash accident claim as it depends on the severity of your injuries. However, the Regan Zambri Long whiplash accident lawyers have secured millions for their clients over the years, including a $14 million settlement for a car accident. We are deeply aware of how stressful an accident can be and how it can turn your life upside down in a matter of seconds. Our goal is to pursue the maximum amount of damage possible in the quickest amount of time. We want you to collect the compensation you are owed and be able to move on and rebuild your life.
Once our whiplash accident lawyers gather all the information necessary, we will file the whiplash accident claim on your behalf. Our firm practices across the DC Metro Area and we are well-versed in the personal injury laws. It is important to note that the statute of limitations (the time limit you have to file a personal injury claim) in Maryland and Washington, DC is three years from the date of the injury. In Virginia, the statute of limitations is just two years. While that may seem like a long time, medical bills pile up quickly and if you miss the deadline, you may forfeit your right to claim any type of compensation for the accident.
The Regan Zambri Long whiplash accident lawyers will make sure all the paperwork is correct and filed in a timely manner. While we will work tirelessly to secure a settlement in your favor, we have the resources and financial backing to take your claim to court. If the settlement is not favorable, your whiplash accident attorney will be with you throughout the trial to ensure a favorable verdict.
