Your Whiplash Injury Case: How Funk and Associates Personal Injury Lawyers Will Help

Written by Funk & Associates Personal Injury Lawyers 

If you’ve been in a traffic accident in Austin, it can take days or weeks for the symptoms of whiplash to appear. That’s why it’s easy to underestimate the seriousness of the injury—at first.

The longer it takes for symptoms to show, the more challenging it can be to recover compensation from the responsible party. 

Hiring the legal team at Funk and Associates personal injury lawyers, however, can significantly improve your chances of getting a fair resolution.

Why? Because our attorneys bring years of experience in assisting whiplash injury victims throughout Texas by understanding the complexities of cases where symptoms may surface well after the accident. We are aware that at-fault parties and insurance companies may try to deny responsibility. That’s why we are ready to fight them. 

We are committed to leveraging our decades of experience, financial resources, and legal expertise to ensure the success of your claim.

When you choose Funk and Associates, you can expect us to:

• Investigate the accident that caused your whiplash injury.
• Scrutinize police reports, witness statements, and other evidence to establish causation and fault.
• Review medical records to establish a link between the accident and your injury.
• Fight to hold all negligent parties financially accountable for your injuries and suffering.
• Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Bring your whiplash injury case to a jury in Austin if necessary.

Whiplash can significantly impact your life, both in the short term and for years to come. Our accident lawyers will work tirelessly to secure a financial settlement or award on your behalf, making things easier for you. Call us at (512) 472-3865 to set up an appointment with our team today.

So …What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury often linked to rear-end car accidents. When your car gets hit from behind, the impact force can make your head rapidly move back-and-forth or side-to-side. 

Because your torso is held in place by a seatbelt, the quick movement of your head leads to the overextension of the soft tissue in your neck.

This overextension can stretch the muscles and tendons beyond their usual range of motion. In many cases, signs of a whiplash injury may not be noticeable until hours or even days after the accident.

What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Austin, especially a rear-end collision, it’s crucial to pay attention to the following signs of whiplash:

• Neck stiffness
• Neck tenderness
• Difficulty or inability to move your head from side to side or up and back
• Limited range of motion in the neck
• Pain in your upper back or neck
• Tingling or numbness in your arms, hands, or fingers
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Blurred vision
• Changes in memory or mood

Any of these symptoms could indicate a whiplash injury. While many whiplash injuries heal over time, some may require medical attention. It’s important to diagnose a whiplash injury not only to ensure proper monitoring and treatment but also to identify any complications or related trauma. Seeking medical help is crucial for a comprehensive assessment of your condition after a car accident.

How Common is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a prevalent injury. The annual counts of whiplash and spinal disc injuries in the US likely exceed 1.2 million and 33,000, respectively.

Half of these people endure chronic pain directly resulting from the whiplash injury. 10 percent will face disability due to their whiplash injury.

Whiplash is more common in adults than in children, mainly because adults have larger heads. The size of the head affects the force of acceleration during a collision, putting more strain on the neck and back. 

Additionally, as people age, they become more susceptible to neck injuries like whiplash. Aging bodies tend to be more fragile, especially if there are prior injuries or underlying health conditions.

Are Auto Accidents The Leading Cause of Whiplash?

While auto accidents are the most common cause of whiplash, it can also result from various other types of trauma that cause the head to move rapidly back and forth. This includes:

• Other motor vehicle accidents, such as motorcycle and truck accidents
• Physical assaults
• Recreational sports
• Boating accidents
• Falls

If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury in any type of accident, it’s important to consult with an attorney near you. The personal injury law team at Funk and Associates will listen to your story, help you understand your rights, and explain your options. 

Remember: Professional legal advice may be your best chance to receive the support and compensation you deserve.

What Do I Do If I Have Whiplash?

If diagnosed with whiplash, your doctor might recommend medical treatments that include:

• Limited Rest: Get some rest, but not too much.
• Exercise: Specific exercises promote mobility and recovery.
• Physical Therapy: Engage in physical therapy sessions which may or may not include neck chiropractic adjustments..
• Nerve Stimulation: This treatment may temporarily ease neck pain and improve muscle strength.
• Hot or Cold Compresses: Applying hot or cold compresses can help alleviate pain.
• Medications: This may include over-the-counter or prescription painkillers and muscle relaxants.
• Lidocaine Injections: An injection of lidocaine (Xylocaine) — a numbing medicine — into painful muscle areas may be used to decrease pain
• Foam collars: In more severe cases, your doctor might suggest limiting neck motion by using a foam collar. 

I’m Partially Responsible For the Accident That Caused My Whiplash. What Do I Do?

If the auto accident leading to injuries was mostly your fault, it can impact your ability to recover compensation. According to Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule, you won’t be eligible for financial recovery if you’re assigned more than 50 percent of the blame for the accident.  But who decides this subjective number?  That is the job of a qualified attorney like the ones at Funk & Associates. 

Here’s the good news: You can still seek damages if your assigned blame is 50 percent or less. The compensation you receive will be reduced to account for your contribution to the injury. For example, if you’re found 30 percent responsible, your financial award will be reduced by that 30 percent.

It’s crucial to consult with an Austin-area personal injury attorney if you’ve been in an accident. The other driver (and their insurance company) will attempt to place all the blame on you. Without a strong defense, your ability to recover compensation could be compromised. 

The attorneys at Funk and Associates are committed to protecting your rights. We will gather evidence to shift blame away from you and minimize your role in the accident that led to your whiplash injury. Seeking legal assistance is essential to navigate these complexities and ensure fair compensation.

What Compensation Can Austin Whiplash Victims Expect?

Whiplash can significantly disrupt your daily life, and a severe injury may lead to permanent neck damage and disability. 

Regardless of the severity, if someone else is responsible for your whiplash injury, you deserve compensation. The personal injury lawyers at Funk and Associates are dedicated to working hard to recover the damages you may be entitled to under Texas state law. This could include compensation for:

• Present and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost wages and income
• Disability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.

Our team collaborates with medical professionals and vocational experts to accurately assess the value of your case. This thorough evaluation helps position you to obtain the full compensation you need and deserve. 

We’re Offering Free Consultations If You Are In Austin

If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury in Austin, Texas, you’ll have a limited amount of time to demand compensation. In most cases, the statute of limitations  is two years from the date of the auto accident.

Seeking the assistance of a qualified Austin whiplash injury attorney is the best course of action as soon as you realize you’ve been injured. At Funk and Associates, our team is ready to take every necessary step to secure the compensation you require. We will manage your case from the beginning to the end, allowing you to concentrate on your recovery. To get started, simply give our Austin law firm a call today at (512) 472-3865 to arrange a free consultation and learn more about your options.

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The submission of information to Funk & Associates (“The Firm”) or one of its attorneys does not create an attorney-client relationship, and the receipt of said information does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.  This website presents general information which is not intended to be legal advice, nor should you consider it as such.  Contacting Funk & Associates does not, and should not, prohibit you in any way from seeking legal advice regarding this or any other matter.  This Firm makes no representations, material or implied, of any statute of limitations which may or may not exist.