Baltimore Whiplash Car Accident Attorney

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries associated with car accidents. The sudden deceleration caused by a traffic collision can violently whip a vehicle occupant’s head forward and backward, putting immense strain on the bones, muscles, and soft tissues of the back and upper neck. The resulting injury can cause debilitating pain, limit mobility, and linger for months or longer.

If you are suffering from whiplash after a car accident that wasn’t your fault, the personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Cohen & Dwin, P.A., want to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience and a statewide reputation for providing top-tier legal representation for injured people in Maryland like you. We are dedicated to making the legal process as easy as possible for our clients, and we don’t charge fees unless we win compensation.

What Is a Whiplash Injury?

When a car hits another vehicle or some other object, the force from the collision is transferred to the people inside the vehicle. Their continued forward momentum is suddenly arrested by the crash, which places intense strain on the muscles, bones, nerves, and connective tissues in the neck and upper back.

Because the occupant’s body is likely restrained by a seat belt, it will quickly and forcefully snap back to its original position after the initial impact, which can cause further damage. The injury is called “whiplash” because the neck’s violent back-and-forth motion resembles the cracking of a whip.

Whiplash injuries are often painful and can have severe consequences. The bones in the neck that connect the skull to the spinal cord are particularly fragile. Nerve signals from the brain can be disrupted if these bones and the nerves they protect are injured. A severe neck injury can cause permanent paralysis or lead to the loss of other major bodily functions.

According to Mayo Clinic, some of the common symptoms of whiplash include:

Pain and stiffness in the neck
Increased neck pain when turning or moving the head
Headaches, particularly at the base of the skull
Pain or tenderness in the shoulders, arms, or upper back
Numbness or tingling in the arms
Unusual fatigue

Dizziness
Blurry vision
Ringing in the ears
Trouble sleeping
Feeling irritable for no apparent reason
Trouble concentrating
Memory problems

Keep in mind that the symptoms of whiplash sometimes take days or weeks to manifest. Be sure to see your doctor as soon as you start experiencing symptoms.

Car Wrecks That Commonly Cause Whiplash

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of whiplash injuries in the United States, particularly:

Rear-end collisions – Whiplash is common in rear-end collisions because the force of the impact causes a violent forward-and-backward motion. This rapid momentum shift can damage the bones, muscles, and connective tissues in the neck and upper back.
Sideswipe accidents – A sideswipe accident is one in which one vehicle contacts the one adjacent to it, which can cause a substantial change in momentum in the direction of the impact, putting pressure on an occupant’s neck, shoulders, and upper back. The head might also jerk back and forth due to the impact, resulting in a whiplash injury.
T-bone accidents – A T-bone accident occurs when the front of one vehicle slams into the side of another vehicle, resulting in T-shaped wreckage. The occupants of both vehicles undergo extreme momentum changes, albeit in opposite directions (side to side vs. back and forth).

Should I Get a Lawyer for Whiplash in Baltimore?

If you are experiencing neck pain after a car accident, you should speak to a lawyer right away. You might be entitled to compensation if you were not at fault for the crash.

Because liability can be challenging to prove and insurance companies often fight claims, it is crucial to hire a lawyer to handle your whiplash case. Our experienced attorneys can investigate the circumstances of the accident to determine who is at fault, gather crucial evidence to prove your injuries and the other party’s liability, and identify potential sources of compensation. While we conduct our investigations, you can focus on your rest and recuperation.

Potential Compensation for a Whiplash Injury in Baltimore

If you suffered a whiplash injury in a car accident caused by another motorist in Baltimore, you might be entitled to seek compensation for:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Loss of future earning capacity

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Damage to your personal property

Maryland Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

Under Maryland law, you have three years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit against an at-fault party, with few exceptions. That might seem like a long time, but you should speak to a lawyer immediately so they have as much time as possible to build a strong case on your behalf.

What to Do for Whiplash After a Car Accident

If you know or suspect you have suffered whiplash after a car accident, you should take the following steps to protect yourself and your legal rights:

See a doctor right away to have your injuries diagnosed, treated, and added to your medical records.
Gather evidence of the accident, such as photos or videos from the crash scene and any witnesses’ names and contact info.
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan, which may include rest, hot or cold compresses, and medication, and keep all follow-up appointments.
Do not speak to any insurance companies before consulting a lawyer.
Hire an experienced attorney to help you seek compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Contact a Whiplash Injury Lawyer in Baltimore Today

Because whiplash injuries can be hard to prove, it is in your best interest to work with an attorney who knows how to handle such cases. The experienced legal team at Cohen & Dwin, P.A., can investigate the accident and help you pursue the compensation you need after a crash.

Contact our office now for a free case review with a whiplash injury lawyer in Baltimore.