Whiplash is a neck injury that can occur when the head is suddenly jerked backward and then forwards, causing damage to the cervical spine. This can cause the muscles and ligaments in the neck to stretch or tear. There are many causes of whiplash, including car accidents, sports injuries, and falls. In some cases, whiplash can lead to serious health complications, and in unusual situations, even death.

You may be entitled to compensation if you have lost a loved one due to whiplash caused by an auto accident. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today for what steps to take next and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury claim.

Long-Term Complications of Whiplash

Whiplash can lead to several long-term health complications, including:

• Neck pain and stiffness that lasts for months or even years
• Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue that persist long after the injury has healed
• Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, and fingers
• Damage to the spinal cord or nerves
• Increased risk of stroke or heart attack
• A moderate or severe traumatic brain injury

Recent studies show that whiplash victims are also at an increased risk of traumatic brain injury.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A traumatic brain injury is a head injury caused by a significant force on the brain. For example, severe traumatic brain injuries are caused when an object pierces the skull and brain tissue. However, you do not have to hit your head on something hard, such as the dashboard or the window, to suffer a traumatic brain injury. Instead, it can be caused by your head being thrown back and forth during whiplash. As a result of such force, your brain can strike the inside of your skull, causing a brain injury.

You can suffer from a mild traumatic brain injury such as concussions or severe brain injuries such as skull fractures.

How the Brain Is Damaged During Whiplash Trauma

When the head moves quickly, the brain moves inside the skull. This can cause the delicate nerve cells in the brain to break and bleed. As these cells die, they release toxins that damage other cells around them. The injured brain tissue swells and puts pressure on surrounding tissues, leading to further injury or death.

Whiplash Symptoms That Could Be Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury

There are a few symptoms of whiplash that could be signs of a traumatic brain injury. If you experience any of the following after a neck injury, seek medical attention right away:

• Persistent dizziness
• Excessive nausea or vomiting
• Loss of balance
• Severe headache
• Confusion or disorientation
• Cognitive symptoms such as mood swings or personality changes
• Seizures

Diffuse Axonal Injuries

A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is an injury that occurs inside the brain.  It is a traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain shifts and rotates inside the skull. This can cause the brain to stretch and tear, damaging the connections between nerve cells. Mild symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty thinking clearly or problems with memory

Moderate symptoms may include:

• Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
• Severe headache
• Persistent dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Confusion or disorientation
• Mood swings or personality changes
• Seizures

Severe symptoms may include coma, vegetative state, and even in rare circumstances death.

Skull Fractures

Skull fractures are another potential complication of whiplash. A skull fracture can occur when the head is struck or moves quickly from side to side. Symptoms of a skull fracture include:

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Confusion or disorientation
• Loss of consciousness

If you experience any of these symptoms after a neck injury, it’s important to see a doctor right away. A skull fracture can be a serious condition and may result in death if not treated promptly.

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.

We Get You Results

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 who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

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.