driver grabbing his neck in pain after car crash

Whiplash and neck injuries commonly occur in North Myrtle Beach car accidents – especially rear-end collisions – and can result in serious complications. A whiplash injury can prevent you from performing your work tasks or day-to-day activities, and these effects can linger for months or years. Sometimes the impairments are permanent.

If you sustained a neck or whiplash injury in North Myrtle Beach and someone else is to blame, you could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more.

At Jebaily Law Firm, our neck and whiplash injury attorneys are prepared to investigate the accident that caused your injuries, gather evidence to support your claim, identify the liable parties, document and calculate the damages you suffered, and pursue the compensation you need.

Contact our North Myrtle Beach office today for a free, no-risk consultation with a compassionate attorney. We are ready to discuss your case and your legal options in detail.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury that affects the neck and shoulders when the head is jerked violently back and forth during a car accident. This sudden, rigorous head movement can cause muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck, cervical spine, and shoulder area to tear.

Whiplash most commonly occurs in rear-end vehicle collisions, although it has been known to happen due to sports accidents, falls, and other traumatic impacts.

Is Your Neck Injury Whiplash?

Whiplash is a poorly understood condition. You may not feel pain or even be aware that you have sustained a whiplash injury until 24 hours or more after the accident occurs. That’s why it is crucial to be checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible after the accident, especially if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. A medical professional will be able to detect the signs of whiplash before complications arise.

Symptoms Of Whiplash

Whiplash injuries can manifest in a variety of ways. In fact, some whiplash injuries don’t show up until days, weeks, or even months after an accident occurs. This type of whiplash is known as “delayed” whiplash.

Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Neck stiffness 
  • Chronic neck pain
  • Limited range of motion in neck and shoulders
  • Numbness and tingling in the arms
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Shoulder pain
  • Upper back pain 
  • Arm pain
  • Headaches beginning at the base of the skull
  • Dizziness
  • Blurry vision
  • Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Memory lapses
  • Inability to sleep
  • Irritability
  • Depression

How Long Do the Symptoms of Whiplash Last?

Some individuals experience whiplash symptoms for only a few weeks, while others may experience symptoms indefinitely, depending on the severity of the injury. The symptoms of mild whiplash usually subside in weeks, but they can linger for months. Severe cases may cause chronic pain issues that you will need to manage on an ongoing basis.

Whiplash Treatments

Treatment for whiplash depends on the severity of the injury. For a mild whiplash injury, heat and ice can be applied to the neck or the base of the skull, and a doctor may recommend that you take an over-the-counter painkiller to help with any pain or stiffness you’re experiencing.

Severe whiplash may require more aggressive treatment. Your doctor may recommend prescription painkillers and administer injections to relieve pain and discomfort. Some whiplash victims might need to wear a cervical collar to support their neck while they are recovering.

If you believe you sustained a whiplash injury or are experiencing symptoms of one, don’t delay treatment. Getting help as soon as possible after sustaining the injury is essential, as whiplash can lead to chronic pain and other complications if left untreated.

What Compensation Can You Recover for a Whiplash Injury in North Myrtle Beach?

If you sustained a whiplash injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for a variety of related losses – including the costs of your medical care, income lost due to time away from work, and the pain and suffering you have experienced.

You may be able to claim compensation for:

  • Present and future medical expenses related to your injuries, including the costs of any hospital stays, meals and lodging, physical therapy, surgery and other procedures, scans and tests, and prescription drugs
  • Lost wages if you are unable to return to work due to your whiplash injury
  • Lost earning capacity if your whiplash injury renders you unable to fully perform your job duties as you did before
  • Pain and suffering, including PTSD, emotional distress, and mental anguish resulting from the accident
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

In some exceptional cases, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault party for egregious recklessness or gross negligence. Although they are not often awarded, the circumstances of your case could warrant punitive damages.

Your attorney can investigate the accident to secure evidence that could be vital to your case. They will calculate any financial expenses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident and assess non-financial damages as well. Non-financial damages can be harder to quantify, but by notes that document your recovery and your level of pain each day, you can give your attorney a better idea of the pain and suffering you’ve endured due to the accident.

Contact Our Experienced North Myrtle Beach Whiplash Injury Lawyer Today

If you sustained a whiplash or neck injury due to someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. The North Myrtle Beach injury attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm have the experience and resources to investigate the accident, gather vital evidence such as surveillance video and the police report, determine what you might be owed, and pursue that compensation aggressively. We are prepared to negotiate from a position of strength with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf or take your case to trial, if necessary.

We know what it takes to hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence in a personal injury lawsuit. Contact us today for a free consultation and to begin your pursuit of justice.