Whiplash is such a common car accident injury that it is sometimes minimized by the general public. Nonetheless, it is extremely painful and debilitating, interfering with work and chores and making just about all other activities difficult and unpleasant. This is why at Cooper Schall & Levy, we treat victims of whiplash injuries caused by another party’s negligence with great compassion and fight vigorously for their right to meaningful compensation. If you reside in the Philadelphia area, contact us now for a free consultation to see whether you have a viable lawsuit.
What Is Whiplash and Why Is It Such a Common Car Accident Injury in Philadelphia?
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the body is suddenly forced forward and backward in an unnatural snapping motion. Passengers in the front car of a rear-end collision often suffer this trauma. In such accidents, the driver behind is almost always at fault. If you have suffered the misery of a whiplash injury due to another driver’s distraction, substance abuse, fatigue, or road rage, you are entitled to substantial damages. Our whiplash accident attorneys are well-prepared to see that you receive them.
Other Causes of Whiplash
Although known primarily as a car accident injury, whiplash can occur in other types of traffic accidents, as well as in slips and falls, or as a result of an assault. Regardless of how you have been harmed, if another person is responsible for your injury, our highly skilled whiplash attorneys are available to protect your rights.
Symptoms of Whiplash Injuries
Because in most cases, whiplash injuries are non-life threatening and damage soft tissue rather than bone, it is sometimes difficult to receive damages since the other party’s insurance company is focused on their bottom line rather than on your hardship. Although whiplash damage may be visible in X-rays, MRI, or CT scans, frequently such damage occurs in structures too small to show up on these diagnostic tests.
This is why it is imperative that you seek medical attention as soon as possible and get your whiplash injuries confirmed by a doctor through physical examination and mobility tests. Whether or not your case ends up in court, our whiplash accident attorneys will need your medical records as evidence.
In addition to pain and an extremely restricted range of neck motion, patients with whiplash may also suffer:
- Headaches and/or dizziness
- Blurry vision or other eye problems
- Pain and stiffness that radiate up into the head and down into the neck and shoulders
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Back pain, jaw pain, fatigue
These symptoms, as you probably know all too well, make it difficult or impossible to work or do everyday tasks and come at precisely the same time that you require extra resources to pay for medical treatment and special services for tasks you are unable to perform.
Injuries Can Have a Prolonged Impact
Many people mistakenly believe that although whiplash is painful it resolves in a matter of weeks. While this may be true for a few fortunate individuals, in too many cases, whiplash is incapacitating for a much longer period. The majority of those who suffer whiplash injuries are disabled for at least 3 months and for some the condition becomes chronic. Victims of whiplash injuries are typically required to wear neck braces, undergo physical therapy, and take pain medication.
As with other serious and/or long-term injuries, whiplash is often accompanied by psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, so mental health care may also be required.
Our Attorneys Are Here to Help
We are not only well-credentialed and empathic; we also have a decades-long track record of successful outcomes. We will provide you with effective legal representation and emotional support now when you need it most. We will take care of all logistical and legal matters by:
- Thoroughly investigating the accident site and any surveillance videos
- Subpoenaing smartphone records to back up observations of texting while driving
- Examining police records and medical reports
- Interviewing witnesses
- Handling all communications with opposing lawyers and insurance adjusters
- Investigating the defendant’s history of any similar negligence
- Consulting with experts in relevant fields who may testify in court on your behalf
Most of all, we will use our knowledge and experience to create a well-crafted courtroom strategy so persuasive that it may provide you with a maximum settlement without ever going to trial.
Damages Our Whiplash Attorneys Will Fight For
Once we establish that another person caused your whiplash injury, we will negotiate a just settlement for all that you have suffered. If the other party’s insurance company will not provide you with a reasonable settlement, we will take your case to court to fight for your right to damages for:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income, present and future
- Replacement services (e.g. childcare)
- Property damage or loss
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological counseling
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact Our Experienced Philadelphia Whiplash Attorneys Today
At Cooper Schall & Levy, we are dedicated to seeing to it that those who have suffered injuries through no fault of their own receive the compensation they need and deserve. Our lawyers will do everything in their power to recover damages sufficient to keep you and your family secure and comfortable as you concentrate on healing. Contact us now for effective, compassionate legal representation. We will charge you no attorneys’ fees until we win your case.
