Can You Get A Concussion From Whiplash?

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Legally Reviewed by
Allan Siegel

Updated 2 years ago

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Watch our attorneys explain how they fight for car accident victims across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With over $1 billion recovered, our team knows how to build a winning case — from investigation through trial.

Speakers: Ira Sherman, Joseph Cammarata, Stephen Ollar, Allan Siegel

Ira Sherman (00:02): I would say that Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata and Siegel has a completely different outlook on cases that other people think are garden variety automobile accidents, because to the person who is involved in that accident, that’s not garden variety, that’s altering their life.

Joseph Cammarata (00:21): First of all, we don’t advertise. People come to us by word of mouth, either from defense lawyers, from insurance companies, from colleagues at the bar. They know that we have decades of experience in the personal injury field. They know that what we bring to bear is a group of lawyers that work and non-lawyers that work as a team to make sure we understand what the nature and the extent of the injury is. We make sure we understand and can express to a third party just what those injuries are, and we work to obtain the most compensation that we can for an individual.

Stephen Ollar (01:04): What we do a lot of is discovery, not just discovery of the facts of the case, but discovery about insurance. It may be that the individual was operating the vehicle for an employer, and if they were acting with what we call the course and scope of their employment, then there could be potentially additional coverage that would cover a person for those injuries.

Allan Siegel (01:27): We’ve been handling car accident cases since Don Chaikin founded this firm over 50 years ago. Since we spend a lot of time and we have a lot of those cases, we have developed a level of experience and knowledge that I think is very unique in our field. There aren’t many law firms who can say that they’ve been doing this type of work for over 50 years.

Ira Sherman (01:52): I care enough to look to determine who this person is and how it affected them, and that takes up a lot of my conversation with our clients.

It is possible to get a concussion from whiplash. Whiplash and concussion injuries are both caused by a sudden forceful jolt that causes the brain to move around inside the skull and hit the sides of the head, which can lead to bruising, bleeding or other damage to the brain tissue.

If you have been in a car accident and are experiencing a whiplash injury or concussion, it is important to know what steps to take next and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury claim. Contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today for a free consultation.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., Can You Get a Concussion from whiplash

Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the head’s sudden forward and backward movement. This type of injury is often referred to as “acceleration/deceleration trauma.”

Car accidents most commonly cause whiplash, but they can also occur during other types of trauma, such as falls or sports injuries. The forces involved in these incidents cause the head to move violently backward and then forward again, which can damage ligaments and muscles around your neck.

Whiplash Symptoms

Some common symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Worsening of pain with neck movement
  • 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, hands, or fingers
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle spasms

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when the head and brain are suddenly and violently shaken. For example, it can be caused by your head being thrown back and forth by significant force, such as a rear-end collision. It is not necessary that you actually strike your head.

Concussion Symptoms

If you think you may have a concussion, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Symptoms of a concussion can be connected to other traumatic brain injuries and may worsen over time.

Some common symptoms of a concussion include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness and balance problems
  • Double vision or blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Feeling sluggish, groggy, or foggy
  • Trouble thinking clearly
car accident scene - whiplash

Post Concussion Syndrome

Post-concussion syndrome is a collection of symptoms that can persist for months or even years after the initial injury. If you have a concussion from whiplash, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome and seek medical treatment if necessary.

Some common symptoms of post-concussion syndrome include:

How Do I Know If I Have a Concussion From Whiplash?

back injury from an accident whiplash

If you have whiplash and any of the symptoms of a concussion, it’s important to see a doctor right away. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can cause long-term problems if not treated properly.

Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer for Concussions and Whiplash Injuries After a Car Accident

If you are experiencing any pain after a car accident, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible, as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

A car accident attorney can help you file a claim and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, the personal injury lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf.

What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You

The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers at  Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

Determining the Value of Your Case

Many factors go into determining the value of your case. These include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries.

Here are a few of our case results:

  • $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
  • $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
  • $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
  • $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
  • $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
  • $1 million settlement on behalf of a client that suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.
car accident injuries

Contact an Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

 We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.

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