Pittsburgh Whiplash Injury Lawyers Pursue Monetary Compensation
Aggressive advocacy for accident victims suffering persistent, painful conditions
Not all injuries are immediately apparent or visible to the naked eye. At Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC in Pittsburgh, we have first-hand knowledge of auto accident victims who at first appear to have come away unscathed but later suffer excruciating pain from soft-tissue injuries sometimes referred to as whiplash. Because whiplash isn’t obvious and can’t be read from an X-ray, victims are often unjustly accused of faking when their suffering is real and treatment has proven ineffective. For such cases, it’s important to have an experienced accident attorney who can present your case professionally and effectively pursue the full compensation you deserve.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury caused by forceful and rapid back and forth movement of the neck. Most commonly, whiplash occurs during a vehicle accident when the impact causes a victim’s head to move abruptly one way and then in the opposite direction. The violent extension of a segment of the spine strains and often tears soft tissue, such as muscles, cartilage and ligaments. Nerves can be damaged and mobility lost. Victims of whiplash often have a long road to recovery and some injuries may never fully heal.
What kind of accidents can cause whiplash?
A vehicle crash at even a moderate speed can cause whiplash. We have observed severe whiplash in clients who’ve experienced rear-end and head-on collisions, where their heads have snapped forward and back. Broadside or T-bone collisions can cause a victim’s head to snap from side to side. Passengers riding public transportation can also experience whiplash from sudden stops.
Symptoms of whiplash after a car crash
Whiplash can have many symptoms, such as:
- Neck pain, which can worsen with neck movement
- Stiffness and loss of range of motion in the neck
- Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull
- Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Fatigue and dizziness
It’s important to know that adrenaline can mask pain at the time of an accident, so whiplash symptoms might not be noticeable for hours. It’s always best to seek immediate medical treatment after an auto accident.
Diagnosing and treating whiplash injuries after a car accident
Soft-tissue injuries like whiplash do not usually show up on X-rays. However, they can be detected through computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests can reveal traumas, but there is no diagnostic technology that can measure the amount of pain a victim might be suffering, which often varies from person to person. This can only be assessed by doctors’ and therapists’ examinations, which can then determine the correct type of treatment.
What types of compensation are available for whiplash cases?
If another person’s negligence caused the impact that led to your injury, you are entitled to fair and adequate compensation. This includes economic losses, such as medical bills and lost earnings due to missed work. You are also entitled to seek compensation for related pain and suffering. This is the most controversial part of a whiplash claim, which is why you should only trust your case to a skilled car accident lawyer. Our firm has decades of experience pursuing claims against powerful insurance companies and delivering positive results for our clients.
Contact a Pittsburgh-area whiplash injury attorney to schedule a free consultation
Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC represents clients who have suffered whiplash injuries due to auto accidents and other traumatic events. For a free consultation with an experienced whiplash attorney, please call 1.800.GET.PHIL or contact us online.
