Whiplash Injuries After Car Accidents in Lincolnton, NC

The treatment required for a car accident neck injury depends on its severity. Sometimes, whiplash heals on its own with rest and time. However, you should always see a doctor after a collision to rule out any serious injuries.

Some common treatments for whiplash include the following:

• Immobilization – A physician might place a cervical collar (C-collar) around your neck to keep your neck and head aligned. A C-collar prevents the vertebrae from damaging or pressing on your spinal cord and alleviates pressure on your neck muscles from the weight of your head.
• Heat and cold – A cold compress on the back of the neck can reduce inflammation and swelling for the first seven to 10 days after sustaining a whiplash injury. Applying cold then heat can promote the healing of damaged tissue and improve blood flow to the injured area.
• Physical therapy – A physical therapist can guide you through different exercises to strengthen your neck muscles and regain mobility and function in the affected area after you heal.
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) – Stopping the nerves from transmitting pain signals helps treat chronic pain. Radiofrequency energy  targets specific nerves with heat and damages them intentionally to prevent them from sending pain signals. The treatment can effectively reduce pain for weeks or months at a time.
• Medications – An over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen, can decrease or eliminate pain after a whiplash injury. However, severe neck pain after a car accident might require a prescription painkiller. Anti-inflammatory drugs can also reduce inflammation and swelling.

Whiplash rarely causes permanent problems. However, some people continue to feel pain and have trouble moving their necks for months or years after an accident. The long-term effects of a cervical sprain from a car accident might include the following:

• Chronic neck pain and stiffness
• Limited or loss of range of motion and movement of the neck
• Permanent spinal injury
• Disability or impairment

Potential Compensation in a Lincolnton Whiplash Claim

Liability car insurance is mandatory in North Carolina. If another driver is at fault for the accident that caused your whiplash injury, you can file a claim for compensation with their insurer. However, filing a lawsuit might be another option to seek compensation from the party responsible for the car crash.

Whether you file a claim or lawsuit, the money you receive could compensate you for the following:

• Medical costs, including hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, medications, and treatment
• Lost wages if the injury prevents you from working
• Reduced future earning capacity if the injury is permanent and you cannot return to work
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical pain and suffering
• Incidental costs, such as mileage for travel to doctor’s appointments

Time Limits for Filing a Whiplash Case in Lincolnton, NC

If you decide to sue the driver who caused the accident, you must file your case by the statutory deadline. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. That means you have three years from the crash date to file suit against the at-fault party. 

If you miss the deadline, your case will likely be dismissed, and you could lose your right to seek compensation in civil court. It is critical to get in touch with our Lincolnton whiplash lawyers as soon as possible so we can begin work on your case immediately. 

How Our Lincolnton Whiplash Lawyers Can Help You

Proving whiplash can be difficult, as the injury may not appear on diagnostic tests. Instead, you will need to rely on other evidence to prove your injury and establish another party’s liability. Fortunately, you do not have to pursue your claim alone. The Lincolnton whiplash lawyers at Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., can help you by handling every detail of your case, allowing you to focus on healing.

When you hire us, you can count on us to:

• Investigate the accident to determine liability
• Speak to eyewitnesses and gather available evidence
• Request copies of your medical records and bills to confirm your injury and incurred expenses
• File an insurance claim 
• Negotiate for a settlement from a position of strength 
• File a lawsuit if necessary
• Prepare legal documents and arguments for court
• Secure expert witnesses, such as medical providers and accident reconstruction specialists, to testify at trial