The personal injury attorneys of the law firm of Harrell & Nowak handles the full range of auto accident cases for injured victims in and around New Orleans. Whiplash is probably the best known but least well understood of all auto accident injuries, due in part to the portrayal of the condition on television. We’ve all seen the stereotypical car accident victim with the brace around her or his neck, complaining of pain to a judge and jury in hopes of convincing them to award him or her millions of someone’s money, that someone usually an obscenely rich person who drives a Bentley.
In reality, however, whiplash can be a painful and debilitating condition that can have a profoundly adverse impact on a person’s quality of life. If you or a member of your family has suffered whiplash as a result of someone else’s negligent driving, then you know how inaccurate and entirely humorless those television exaggerations are. Fortunately, the car accident attorneys of Harrell & Nowak are ready to fight for your rights. We understand what you are going through and will use all of the resources at our disposal to present the strongest case possible on your behalf.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when the neck is suddenly and violently jolted, as when one automobile collides with another. During this jolt, the ligaments and muscles of the neck are forced to extend beyond their normal range of motion, resulting in an often painful strain. While not all whiplash injuries are serious, the most severe can last for months, years, or even for the rest of the victim’s life.
The most universal symptom of whiplash is the inability to move the neck and head without pain. Whiplash can also result in pain in the shoulders, jaw, arms, back, and hands. It can also be accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ears), loss of balance, dizziness, fatigue, and severe headaches.
Because the violent back-and-forth jerking that results in whiplash can also cause concussions and other brain injuries, it is essential that whiplash victims seek medical attention as soon as possible after their accidents.
Damages for Whiplash Victims
Whiplash victims often face substantial medical bills and other losses and expenses. While our personal injury attorneys would have to evaluate your case to estimate what sorts of damages you might be entitled to recover, we are often able to obtain compensation for:
- Hospital and doctor bills
- The cost of pain medication and physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
In particularly severe cases of whiplash, surgery may be necessary, and permanent disability could be a real possibility. If your medical diagnosis points to significant future expenses, we will include these in the damages for which we ask.
Learn More about Whiplash Litigation
If you or someone you love has experienced whiplash as a result of an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligent or deliberately reckless driving, you have rights, and we can help to ensure that they are protected. Please contact our auto accident lawyers today to arrange an evaluation of your case.