Whiplash injuries in Florence often come with more than just neck pain. You may be dealing with limited mobility, recurring headaches, and mounting stress about how long your recovery will take. These injuries can affect your job, family, and daily life. And while you focus on getting better, the insurance company is already looking for ways to minimize your compensation.
At Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A., we know how disruptive whiplash injuries are. Our personal injury attorneys have represented people in Florence and the surrounding area for over 125 years. We offer the resources and experience of a large law firm with the care and attention to detail of a boutique practice. Our experience with a wide range of cases helps us find creative solutions to your legal problems, and we don’t charge any fees unless you recover compensation. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when your head is suddenly and forcefully thrown forward and then snapped backward – like the cracking of a whip. It often occurs in rear-end car accidents but can also result from falls or sports injuries. This violent jerking motion can strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your neck, shoulders, and upper back, causing symptoms like pain, stiffness, and limited movement. Some people recover in a few weeks, but others deal with lasting discomfort and other complications that interfere with their daily lives.
Common Whiplash Symptoms
Some common symptoms that may indicate you suffered a whiplash injury include:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Shoulder or upper back pain
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Blurred vision
What Accidents Cause Whiplash Injuries?
While people commonly associate whiplash injuries with car crashes, they’re not the only way these injuries occur. Some accidents that can cause whiplash injuries include:
- Rear-End Car Accidents – Rear-end collisions are the most common cause of whiplash, as the savage back-and-forth motion of the head and neck puts intense strain on drivers’ and passengers’ bodies.
- Head-On and Side-Impact Collisions – These crashes can cause violent neck movement, especially when passengers don’t expect the impact and can’t brace themselves.
- Truck Accidents – The size and force of commercial trucks can lead to more severe neck and spine injuries when collisions occur.
- Motorcycle Crashes – Motorcycle riders are more exposed to the force of crashes, making them vulnerable to sudden neck movements in a collision.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents – A sudden impact with a car can cause a cyclist’s or pedestrian’s body to snap suddenly, injuring their neck.
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents – A sudden fall can whip the head back as someone tumbles, especially if someone tries to break their fall or lands awkwardly.
- Sports Injuries – Contact sports like football, soccer, or wrestling often involve sudden or forceful head movements that can cause whiplash.
- Amusement Park Rides – High-speed rides or jerky motions can strain the neck, especially if riders don’t have proper head support.
- Physical Assaults – Being punched, shoved, or shaken can cause the neck to snap in a way that leads to whiplash injuries.
- Workplace Accidents – Sudden movements, falls, or machinery-related jolts can all cause neck strain on the job.
Who’s Liable for a Whiplash Injury?
Liability for a whiplash injury depends on how an accident happened and who caused it. If you were injured in a car crash, the other driver may be responsible – especially if they were distracted, speeding, or following too closely. In multi-vehicle accidents, more than one driver could share liability.
If an accident involved a commercial vehicle or truck, the driver’s employer may also be partly liable, especially if they didn’t maintain the truck properly or hired an unqualified driver. In slip-and-fall cases, a property owner or business may be liable if they failed to fix a hazard on the premises or warn you properly. An experienced whiplash injury lawyer can investigate to identify who’s responsible for your injury and help you hold them accountable.
Compensation for Whiplash Injuries in Florence, SC
Depending on the severity of your injuries and other factors, your whiplash claim could include compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost income from missing work
- Reduced future earnings if your injury prevents you from returning to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- The cost to repair or replace your car or other damaged property
What To Do After a Whiplash Injury in Florence
The first thing to do after a whiplash injury is to seek medical attention. If the accident involved a driver or a hazard on someone’s property, report the incident to the police or the property owner, respectively. Once you’ve taken these steps, here’s what to do next to protect your rights:
- Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan – Attend all follow-up appointments and follow your prescribed medical advice carefully. Don’t give whoever caused your injury or an insurer cause to doubt the sincerity of your injuries.
- Document Your Symptoms – Keep a daily journal of your pain, mobility issues, and how the injury affects your life. You can use this evidence to seek compensation for your non-economic losses, such as your pain and suffering.
- Save All Records – Keep copies of medical bills, test results, and receipts. These documents help demonstrate your losses and can boost your compensation.
- Avoid Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone – Let a lawyer handle these conversations to avoid saying something that could hurt your claim.
- Don’t Post About the Injury Online – Social media posts can be taken out of context and used against you. Therefore, it’s best to avoid social media entirely until your case concludes.
- Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney – An experienced lawyer can explain your rights and help you seek fair compensation.
Contact Our Florence, SC, Whiplash Injury Attorneys
While you have three years after sustaining a whiplash injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, you don’t want to wait that long to talk to a lawyer. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the easier it is for them to find evidence to support your claim. Call Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A., now or complete our contact form for a free case review.