Birmingham Whiplash Lawyers

Did you or a loved one suffer whiplash in a car accident in Alabama that was caused by another party’s negligence? Do not think that your injury is too “minor” to recover compensation. Our Birmingham car accident lawyers can help.

Whiplash, otherwise known as cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD) syndrome, is a prevalent injury in motor vehicle crashes. Whiplash is especially common in rear-end accidents, even those occurring at low speeds. Unfortunately, many insurance companies are inclined to deny whiplash claims as being fraudulent.

The Birmingham personal injury attorneys of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP handle all kinds of injury claims stemming from car accidents in Alabama, including whiplash. Our attorneys will work closely with you to understand all of the ways that your injury is affecting your life and use these details when presenting your case to a jury.

Our firm can work closely with your medical care providers to get the evidence necessary to prove the extent of your injury. We can examine your case when you call (205) 324-1212, or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.

Do I Need A Whiplash Lawyer?

Whiplash claims are frequently denied by insurance companies, as the injury is often viewed as something claimed in cases where people are fine. Many people who file whiplash claims receive denials and then assume they have no other options.

An attorney will help ensure that your case is taken seriously by an insurance company. With legal counsel, you will have someone who can prove the validity of your injury claim and then work to help you recover compensation.

Even when you have medical records documenting your injury, an insurance company may still attempt to deny liability by placing the blame for your accident solely on you. One way they will try to accomplish this is by using your own recorded statements against you, so you should always refuse to provide a recorded statement.

It may also be possible that an insurance company offers you a lump sum settlement to resolve your case. Know that this settlement offer is much less than what you are entitled to. Accepting such an agreement will mean that you will have no recourse against the negligent party if you have future bills after the settlement is exhausted.

Why Choose Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP To Handle My Case?

Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP has obtained over $200 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. We are active members in our community, supporting such organizations as the United Way, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama.

Partners Kirby Farris, Ken Riley, and JD Lawrence are all members of the Alabama Bar Association, Birmingham Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Mr. Farris and Mr. Riley were both named to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association in 2015, and Mr. Lawrence was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2011.

Mr. Farris and Mr. Riley are both admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, and United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, as well as the Alabama Supreme Court. Our firm can negotiate a full and fair settlement to your case. However, we are not afraid to file a lawsuit to recover damages when the settlement negotiations are unproductive.

Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP represents clients on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not have to pay us anything until you receive a monetary award.

Types of Whiplash Cases We Handle

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden and forceful movement to the neck. The injury is most frequently the result of a rear-end auto accident, but there are many other possible causes.

Possible causes of whiplash can include:

• Rear-end collisions
• Rollover accidents
• Multiple vehicle collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Side-impact collisions
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Intersection accidents
• Sports accidents
• Assault or physical abuse
• Domestic violence

Whiplash is an injury with numerous misconceptions. While many people assume high-speed is required for a legitimate whiplash injury, people suffer these types of injuries in low-speed crashes, too. Just because whiplash is a soft tissue injury that does not mean there are no real-life complications. Whiplash can inhibit a person’s ability to perform the functions of their job or even daily tasks in life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Whiplash

As noted, there are many misconceptions regarding whiplash injury claims. The following frequently asked questions will shed light on what whiplash injury claims entail.

What should I do if I suffer a whiplash injury in a car accident?

Do not say anything about possibly having whiplash, but also don’t say you feel fine. Your condition should remain a mystery to the other driver. Seek medical attention, though. Never wait to see if a whiplash injury will worsen before getting the necessary medical care. Go to a hospital and let a doctor evaluate you to determine the next best steps. While you are at the scene of your accident, use your cell phone or a camera to take as many pictures as you can of everything involved in your crash, including the vehicles, people, and any other relevant factors like skid marks or obstructed road signs. Look for potential witnesses and ask them for their names and phone numbers. Never post anything about your whiplash injury on a social media website. Speak with an Alabama car accident attorney as soon as possible.

What kind of treatment is used for whiplash?

Treatment will primarily focus on managing and controlling your pain, regaining the normal neck motion range, and being able to get back to your regular activities. Some people may be prescribed medications, while others may use over-the-counter (OTC) medications. At-home care or physical therapy may be required. You will likely be instructed to rest within the first 24 hours of the injury. However, you don’t want to rest too much as excess rest could delay recovery. Heat or cold packs could also be applied to an affected area for 15 minutes multiple times per day. Some doctors may use muscle relaxers or injections.

How do I reduce my chances of suffering whiplash in a car accident?

In theory, it may be easy to think about how you will be able to brace yourself whenever you are involved in a motor vehicle accident. However, in practice, following through with your intentions can be far more difficult when such an event occurs. While the proper use of head restraints can be critical in reducing the chances of whiplash, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) reported in 2004 that a study of 73 seat/head restraint combinations found that only eight earned overall ratings of good, 16 were acceptable, 19 were rated marginal, and 30 seat/head were rated poor. Adjust the head restraint properly in your vehicle to reduce your chances of suffering whiplash.

Whiplash Statistics

The Spine Research Institute of San Diego claims that there are 3 million new whiplash injuries in the United States every year. Most injuries occur at crash speeds of less than 12 miles per hour, and the reported risk of injury in low-speed rear-impact collisions is between 35% and 68%.

About 10% of whiplash victims become permanently disabled, according to the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. Minor neck injuries account for as many as 60% of all permanent impairment claims.

Out of every 6 million occupants in low-speed rear-impact collisions, half (3 million) will be injured, one quarter (1.5 million) will have chronic pain, and 300,000 will become disabled by pain. The Spine Research Institute of San Diego reported approximately 9% of Americans to suffer from chronic neck pain due to low-speed rear-impact collisions.

The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (JAAOS)reported in October 2007 that 15%-40% of patients with acute neck pain develop chronic neck pain following motor vehicle collisions. The study found that 5%-7% of patients become permanently partially or disabled.

Contact a Birmingham Whiplash Attorney Today

If you or a loved one sustained a whiplash injury in a car accident caused by another party’s negligence in the greater Birmingham area, do not think that you have to wait for the injury to worsen before you can collect damages. Contact the Birmingham car accident attorneys at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP today so that you can get help in recovering the compensation you deserve.

Our firm understands the significant consequences that a whiplash injury has on people and how it can affect so many facets of their daily lives. We fight to help these individuals get the compensation they need and deserve to move on with their lives. Call (205) 324-1212 or contact us online to set up a free initial consultation.