South Memphis Whiplash Injury Lawyer

Whiplash is a very common injury that individuals often suffer after car accidents. Over three million new whiplash cases are reported each year in the United States, and about half of these become long-term issues. 

Even though this is a recurring problem in Tennessee and the rest of the country, insurance companies try to downplay it as a mild injury. However, whiplash can cause individuals to suffer for several months or even years after their accident.

The South Memphis personal injury lawyer at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC understands how traumatic and devastating whiplash injuries can be. Therefore, we are here to assist you through the hardships you are experiencing. Call our office today to learn how we can help you seek treatment and compensation for this type of injury. 

Defining Whiplash

According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash is defined as an injury that occurs to the neck. It usually happens when an individual is in a car accident or any other type of accident, where their neck moves back and forth suddenly, forcefully, and rapidly. 

The most common type of motor vehicle accident that causes whiplash are rear-end accidents. If you think you may have whiplash but are not completely sure, here are some of the signs and symptoms you can look for:

• Headaches
• Feeling exhausted
• Pain in the neck
• Stiff muscles in the neck
• Inability to move your neck
• Increased pain when moving your neck
• Pain in your arms, back, or shoulders
• Numbness or tingling in your arms
• Feeling dizzy
• Vision issues
• Ear ringing
• Irritability or mood swings
• Inability to focus
• Memory issues
• Sleep problems
• Feeling depressed

It is highly recommended that you see a licensed physician if you have neck pain following an accident. Your doctor will assess your neck, order imaging and diagnostic tests, and provide you with a treatment plan that you should start promptly. You must make sure that you do not have a broken or fractured neck that is being left untreated.

Accidents that Commonly Lead to Whiplash Injuries

While whiplash is most found among car accident victims, this type of injury can occur in any accident. The following are different accidents that may result in whiplash or neck injuries:

• Physical abuse, violence, or assault
• Car accidents
• Football, soccer, basketball, or baseball accidents
• Horseback riding accidents
• ATV riding accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Amusement park accidents
• Construction accidents
• Slip and falls
• Bus accidents
• Workplace accidents

It is critical to know that some people have whiplash symptoms immediately, while others can take hours or days to show any signs or symptoms. You should seek medical care when you notice abnormalities or pain in your neck, shoulders, or back. Talk to a whiplash injury attorney in South Memphis, TN, today.

Treatment Options Available to Individuals with Whiplash

When people have whiplash, their doctor will likely suggest several treatment options to alleviate their pain and symptoms and heal their neck injury over time. The most recommended treatment options for whiplash include the following:

• Prescription medications
• Applying cold and heat for several days
• Bedrest
• Physical therapy
• Surgeries on the neck and spine
• Exercises
• Chiropractic assistance
• Radiofrequency nerve ablation
• Massages
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy
• Acupuncture

The Different Levels of Whiplash

Medical professionals have created a chart to show the different levels of whiplash. This system was developed because different patients have different levels of whiplash. Below, we will go over this system:

• Grade 1: The patient only has neck or other areas of pain.
• Grade 2: The patient has pain along with symptoms of an injury.
• Grade 3: The patient presents symptoms of an injury and neurological issues.
• Grade 4: The patient suffers severe pain and symptoms that indicate life-threatening neurological issues.

While each of these grades is important, this system gives the doctor a better understanding of your injury and the treatment options available to help you. Talk to a whiplash injury lawyer in South Memphis from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, today.

The Types of Losses You Can Claim from a Whiplash Injury

If you suffer a whiplash injury, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. A South Memphis whiplash injury attorney at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC will guide you through the process, answering any questions you may have. We take these types of cases very seriously and will thoroughly look over your claim to provide you with an estimate of how much compensation you may receive. 

However, this estimate will be based on your losses. To get the full amount of money you are owed, it is suggested that you take the time to determine every loss you have suffered from the accident. This may include:

• Hospital and emergency room bills
• Doctor visit bills
• Surgery expenses
• Prescription costs
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical therapy costs
• Home modification expenses
• Disability
• Mental or emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Acupuncture or massage costs
• Lost income
• Loss of companionship

Our personal injury attorneys will work endlessly to determine who is responsible for your injuries. Once we find this information, we will prepare a strong argument to hold them accountable for their negligent behaviors.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a South Memphis Personal Injury Attorney Today

Whiplash injuries can impact you physically, emotionally, and financially. That said, you need a strong and aggressive legal team to protect your rights and demand fair compensation to get you through this rough patch in your life. At Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, we dedicate our time to getting to know our clients and their circumstances. 

After our team learns more about your accident, we will gather evidence and information to represent you. We will also handle all forms of communication with insurance companies to ensure you are not persuaded to accept less money than you deserve.

Schedule your free case evaluation today, and a member of our staff will reach out to you as quickly as possible. We look forward to meeting you and helping you navigate the legal process for your whiplash injuries.