Vancouver, WA Whiplash Injury Lawyers
Helping car accident victims in Vancouver, Battle Ground, and throughout Washington
Whiplash is a common injury when cars collide with other vehicles or objects. Whiplash is especially common when one car rear-ends another car. At Philbrook Law, we’ve been fighting for personal injury victims for more than 20 years. Our Vancouver, WA lawyers know how to prove how your car accident happened, that you suffered whiplash due to the accident, and who is responsible for your whiplash injury. We demand compensation for all your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and any other damages. While many cases of whiplash heal with proper treatment, many other victims live with chronic pain. Call us now to assert your right to compensation.
Quick Questions
What is whiplash?
The Cleveland Clinic defines whiplash as a condition that occurs when “sudden movement changes force your neck (cervical spine) and upper spine to move in ways that cause injury.” The result is a type of neck sprain. Extreme caution by first responders is necessary because the neck is involved. Older adults are prone to whiplash due to weakening of their muscles and bones. Women are also prone to whiplash injuries due to their height, spinal structure, and lack of muscle compared to men.
Furthermore:
Whiplash happens when inertia causes your head, neck, and body to move at different speeds. That forces your neck to compress or extend too quickly or in ways that push the muscles, ligaments, and bones of your spine beyond what they can tolerate. The sharper and stronger the movement, the greater the force on your neck. That’s why whiplash injuries can range from minor to severe. However, even weak levels of force can still cause moderate or severe whiplash. …At its worst, whiplash can break the vertebrae in your neck, creating a risk of damage to your spinal cord and its network of connected nerves.
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What types of Vancouver, WA accidents cause whiplash?
Whiplash injuries are common when car accidents occur. The leading cause of whiplash injuries due to a car accident is a rear-end collision. Other types of accidents such as broadsides and head-on collisions can also cause whiplash. Other causes include slip and fall accidents, sports accidents, and roller-coaster rides.
Some of the common causes of rear-end collisions include speeding, driving while distracted, drunk driving, and tailgating.
Our Vancouver, WA whiplash lawyers file claims against all responsible parties including drivers, employers, car owners, and others. We can also file uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) claims if your car accident was caused by a hit-and-run driver.
What are the symptoms of whiplash?
The Cleveland Clinic states that the timing of symptoms varies. Some car accident victims experience whiplash symptoms immediately. For other victims; the symptoms may not appear for 12 hours, a full day, or several days. Experts use the Quebec Classification of Whiplash-Associated Disorders Scale to grade whiplash injuries.
- Grade 0. No pain or symptoms.
- Grade 1. Stiffness and tenderness when touching the injury site.
- Grade 2. The symptoms include:
- Radiating pain to the face, head, shoulder, and back.
- Muscle spasms that make it hard for an accident victim to turn their neck.
- Bruises, swelling, and touch sensitivity at the injury site.
- Grade 3. This grade of whiplash involves neurological symptoms “because swelling or inflammation disrupts nerve signals traveling through the injured area on the way to or from your brain.” The symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness, numbness in the neck, shoulders, upper back, and upper arms.
- Tingling and a “pins and needles” sensation.
- Headaches.
- Vision difficulties.
- Loss of voice and difficulty swallowing.
- Vertigo (called cervical vertigo.)
- Grade 4. This grade of whiplash includes all the above symptoms – except that the symptoms are usually more severe. Severe neurological symptoms can indicate that the vertebra of the neck is fractured, shifting out of place, or out of alignment.
Whiplash injuries can make it difficult to sleep, stand, drive, and perform many other daily functions. Whiplash can cause traumatic brain injuries.
How is whiplash diagnosed in Vancouver, WA?
Generally, whiplash is diagnosed through “exclusion.” This means your doctors will normally conduct diagnostic tests to rule out bone breaks, nerve injuries, and other injuries. Your doctors should:
- Conduct an oral examination about how the accident happened
- A physical examination
- Diagnostic tests including X-rays, computerized tomography (CT scans). and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
How is whiplash treated in Vancouver, WA?
Whiplash is generally treatable though there is no known cure. Treatment focuses on healing, minimizing symptoms, and supporting the healing process.
The treatments for whiplash include:
- Immobilization. Most car accident victims with whiplash in Vancouver, WA use a cervical collar (C-collar) or other forms of immobilization to help keep the head and neck in alignment, so the vertebrae “don’t press on the spinal cord.” A C-collar also helps keep a victim’s muscles from absorbing the weight of the head.
- Medications. Some of the medications used for whiplash include:
- Painkillers like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen or ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling from inflamed tissues.
- Muscle relaxers
- Nerve blocks
- Temperature therapy. This includes applying cold for the first 7-10 days and heat thereafter. The cold helps reduce inflammation and swelling. The heat helps promote the healing of damaged tissues.
- Physical therapy. This includes various exercises to strengthen the injured areas, reduce pain, and regain bodily function.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy. This therapy uses a mild current to help reduce nerve pain.
- Radiofrequency (RF) nerve ablation. This whiplash treatment helps to treat chronic pain by stopping the nerves from sending pain signals. RF therapy heats the targeted nerves.
- Spine surgery. In very severe cases, such as where the whiplash involves fracture or torn ligaments, spinal surgery may be necessary.
The time it takes to heal and whether the healing process will be partial or complete varies depending on the severity of the Vancouver car accident.
Cleveland Clinic recommends adjusting your vehicle seat, using headrests, and even orthopedic cushions to help prevent or limit whiplash. Another preventative measure includes using your seatbelt.
The best prevention is when Vancouver drivers drive safely.
How much is my whiplash injury claim worth in Washington state?
At Philbrook Law Office, we demand compensation for all your financial and personal damages, including your current and future:
- Medical care including ER care, surgeries, hospitalizations, doctor visits, rehabilitative therapy, medications, and assistive devices
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of income and benefits
- Property damage including car damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life’s pleasures
- Loss of bodily function
- Loss of consortium
Do you have a whiplash lawyer near me?
Philbrook Law Office maintains three office locations for your convenience:
- 300 W. 39th Street in Vancouver, WA
- 105 N Parkway Ave., Ste 104 in Battle Ground, WA
- 107 SE Washington St., Suite 520 in Portland, OR
If you are too injured, we can meet you at a healthcare center or your home. We also discuss cases with clients by phone and online.
We can explain your rights, answer all your questions, and guide you through the claims process.
Speak with our experienced Vancouver, WA whiplash lawyers now
Whiplash injuries are preventable. At Philbrook Law Office, we hold drivers accountable when they fail to put your health and safety first. In most cases, a rear-end accident is caused by the carelessness of the driver behind. We demand full compensation from irresponsible drivers. We file UM/UIM claims if a rear-end driver strikes your car and then drives away. Call our whiplash lawyers in Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA now or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our car accident lawyers also represent clients in the greater Portland area and throughout Oregon.