Over 100,000 people in the United States suffer from whiplash injuries annually. Caring for whiplash can mean tremendous financial difficulty for a family, with medical bills including care for chronic pain that may arise, lost wages and sick leave, not to mention the months or even years of physical suffering that can occur. If you have suffered whiplash in a car crash or other accident, you need to speak with a Denver whiplash attorney to discuss your options.
Whiplash is a common name for an injury to the soft-tissue in the cervical vertebrae (neck) that is also called neck sprain or neck strain. The name whiplash probably comes from the fact that the way the injury occurs generally involves the head very suddenly being moved forcefully backward, then immediately forward again like a whip, like a passenger in a car that is struck from behind. The movement causes muscles and ligaments in the neck to move beyond their normal ranges, and may involve damage to the discs between the vertebrae.
The most obvious symptom of whiplash is neck pain, but often there are associated symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or shoulder or back pain. In extreme cases, symptoms may even include cognitive or psychological impairment such as memory loss, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, or depression. The symptoms of whiplash can take time to present, sometimes several weeks, which sometimes makes insurance companies suspect that the victim is making the symptoms up. This is part of why a whiplash lawyer is so important; they can help negotiate with your insurance company.
Fortunately, most people are able to recover from whiplash injuries within a few months, however at the onset there may be significant lost time at work, or loss of normal daily activities. Typically, the first treatment involves prescription painkillers or muscle relaxants, and physical therapy is often the main treatment. In some cases, however, there may be residual pain for which no physical cause is found. In some cases, there can be very long-lasting effects.
With any injury, the most important thing is to take care of your physical health. Be sure to carefully follow all the advice and procedures proscribed by your doctor or physical therapist. However, between the lost wages, sick leave, and potential for long-term pain, you also need the advice of an experienced Denver whiplash injury attorney. Keith Fuicelli is committed to working with people who have had whiplash injuries to recover the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has sustained a neck sprain in an accident, Keith can evaluate the details of your case, help you determine whether there has been negligence and decide whether you should pursue a legal claim. For more information, and a FREE CONSULTATION, contact Keith at Fuicelli and Lee at (303)355-7202.
We represent clients throughout Colorado who have been injured due to another's negligence, carelessness or wrongful acts. Our firm handles a broad range of personal injury cases, including: