Whiplash is a Victim’s Silent Injury in a Trucking Accident Says Austin Personal Injury Lawyer

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) September 15, 2011 – Whiplash is one of the most misunderstood injuries a person can sustain in an accident. It cannot be seen and is largely maligned as being inconsequential.

“Whiplash is anything ‘but’ inconsequential,” said Brooks Schuelke, an Austin personal injury lawyer with Perlmutter & Schuelke, L.L.P. “Even a mild case causes the victim serious discomfort. More serious grades are excruciatingly painful. Unfortunately, many victims are not properly compensated for their suffering and medical expenses, which can be considerable. Why is that? It’s largely due to the fact that whiplash is commonly referred to as a soft tissue injury and can’t be seen, like a broken leg. Because the injury can’t be seen, insurance companies and defense lawyers essentially call claimants liars, by arguing that they are exaggerating their injuries. But the injuries are real, and medical studies show that if whiplash doesn’t heal within a few months of occurrence, then it is likely a permanent problem.”

More often than not, whiplash is the result of being in a car or truck collision. At the time of impact, the head is often violently thrown backwards, forwards or side-to-side by the crash. This causes rips and tears in the neck, in addition to straining the ligaments. While this type of injury might not hurt the day of the accident, it has a way of sneaking up on a person later and causing headaches and other residual pain that radiates down to the shoulder region.

“Mild symptoms may include soreness and short-term stiffness, along with headaches and irritability,” Schuelke explained. “For more severe injuries, whiplash may cause long-term disability that involves severe headaches, paresthesia (tingling or numbness in the extremities), muscle spasms and constant, unrelenting pain. This is one reason we always strongly urge anyone involved in a car accident to see their doctor right away, as symptoms may well be delayed because you are in shock. You need to know the extent of the injury in order to determine compensation for the short or long term.”

For anyone that has been involved in a car wreck or truck accident that was caused by the “other guy”, the victim may be able to claim compensation, which would involve the cost of medical care, lost wages and compensation for pain and suffering. The extent of the claim depends on the severity of the injury.

“One thing to be aware of is that any delay between the collision and treatment for whiplash lets the insurance company make the argument that you don’t have whiplash or that your neck problems were caused by something else,” added Schuelke. “Be smart and get medical help right away. It makes my job easier and increases your chances of claiming compensation, but most importantly, quick care helps you start on the road to recovery.”

To learn more or to contact an Austin personal injury lawyer or Austin personal injury attorney, visit http://www.civtrial.com.

Perlmutter & Schuelke, LLP
206 East 9th Street, Ste. 1511
Austin, TX 78701
Call (512) 476-4944

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