Whiplash Injury Lawyer in Omaha

Whiplash affects about 83% of people involved in motor vehicle accidents, making it the most common injury to stem from these types of crashes. Increase in the quantity and frequency of these injuries over time is related to the fact that rear end collisions have also increased.

The term “Whiplash” is a colloquial and non-medical one. The mechanism of neck movement that describes the injury is called cervical acceleration-deceleration, while the family of symptoms and diagnoses that classify as this type of injury are collectively referred to as whiplash associate disorders, or WAD. Whiplash injuries are  by medical community standards. However, studies on treatment have reported success in recovery outcomes, and patients suffering this ailment can often expect positive future outcomes. However, the road to recovery for traumatic whiplash injury can be a bumpy one, and some patients endure chronic residual pain for months or years, and others risk life-threatening

The dedicated team at Banwo & Igbokwe Law is here for you following your accident or collision and whiplash injury. The B&I Law team is made up of an experienced and tough group of litigators and legal experts. These tenacious legal professionals are prepared to stand up to the insurance companies and agencies who are keeping you from your maximum rightful settlement. Your injuries, pain, and suffering are important, and you deserve the best whiplash lawyers on your side when the time comes to make your case. If you have suffered a serious neck, back, or whiplash injury, reach out to B&I Law right away at 402-345-5759.

Causes of Whiplash

The most common causes of whiplash are . Typically, this injury occurs at the end of the crash event, and frequently results from rear-end collisions. The injury itself is a result of exceptional force being applied to the neck in such a way that the neck and head are forced outside of their normal range of motion. This hyper-extension can take the form of a forced “s” shape to the spine and an untenable force and weight load to the lumbar spine and cervical spine. This is what results in injuries to the muscle, tendons and ligaments in and around the neck.  

A few other causes of whiplash injury frequently seen in the personal injury space include:

• Truck and 18 wheeler wrecks
• Train and bus crashes
• Amusement park ride collisions
• Sports accidents especially in sports where speed is important
• Slip and Fall or Impact Injuries in the workplace or home

Whiplash can often be self-diagnosed due to its signature symptoms. However, as with all health-related matters, it is always best to confirm injuries and ailments with medical professionals. Expert diagnosis results in better understanding of the injury, leading to ideal healing and recovery strategy. In the context of personal injury claims, it is essential that you are  by a medical professional who can confirm the specific medical designation of your neck/back injury and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment.

An additional reason to visit with a healthcare professional if you suspect a whiplash injury after your accident is because whiplash can range in severity depending on a range of factors. The specific circumstances of the wreck or accident that caused the injury will impact the intensity of the injury. Help your doctor predict the best recovery strategy and set expectations for course of treatment by sharing information about your accident and following their guidance. Factors that can play a role in the severity of a neck injury include:

• The cause of the impact – – car vs tractor trailer
• The force of the impact that caused the injury – – speeding crash vs rear ended at stoplight
• A prior neck or back injury – – recent or older injuries may increase vulnerability to reinjury
• A history of head, neck or back injuries – – sports accidents are a common example
• Position of the body prior to the impact – – buckled and seated safely vs twisting, turned in seat
• Multiple impacts from several angles – – intersection or multi vehicle crash vs single car struck object

Whiplash Facts

Who does it impact and is it preventable?

Prior to the popularization of the car, whiplash injuries were called “railway spine” because they were most frequently seen in train collisions. In current day, car crashes are the most common reason for sustaining whiplash. Occurrence is extremely common – impacting 83% of people involved in car wrecks.  

Prevention of whiplash is tremendously difficult. Adjusting the height and fit of your car headrest for you and your passengers’ height and stature can help mitigate risk and severity of this neck injury. However, the minor successes illustrated in studies of improved head restraint systems are very insignificant – only about 5-10% improvement. More study and innovation are required and in development for multiple types of head restraints: standard, integrated, adjustable, active, and automatically adjusting.

• Whiplash injuries can happen when a car travels at a very low speeds, with medical sources citing 5 – 15mph as the minimum speed required to result in neck damage.
• Females are more than  to suffer from whiplash as males when the cause is a motor vehicle incident, and they are more likely to suffer long term chronic injury from the whiplash incident.
• Children suffer the same symptoms as adults, however they are at greater risk for damage with whiplash injuries due to their muscles and ligaments being more pliable than adults’.  
• Rear-impact crashes are the most common type of crash to cause whiplash, as this type of accident most straightforwardly causes the rapid back and forth motion of the head and neck.

Treatment and Recovery After a Whiplash Injury

In some cases, symptoms can be managed by home treatments to help with pain, discomfort, and disorientation. In others, doctors and chiropractors may prescribe specific medical treatments or therapies. Advised treatment is based on the severity of the neck damage, body composition and tolerances, age, health, prior or concurrent injuries, medications, and patient preferences.  

Standard recommendations for treatment across the medical community include:

Ice applications for the first 24 hours

Cervical collar, with limited use (less than 3 hours at a time) 

Gentle, active movement after 24 hours

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications

Muscle relaxing medications

Physical therapy

Still, some disagreement exists in the medical community around whiplash, and particularly around the treatment that should take place in the first 24-48 hours after the injury is sustained. The core of the debate has to do with how much motion is advisable in this period. Some experts maintain a belief that wearing a soft collar and limiting movement protects the neck from further damage, while others suggest that some muscle movement is beneficial to a quicker and easier recovery.

Fortunately, for most people whiplash pain is corrected or resolved within a couple weeks to a few months. Still, lingering pain may persist for longer. There is a lack of consensus in as to the duration of symptoms and injury. Some studies have indicated that 25-40% of patients experience symptoms through the 1-year mark, and others indicate about 40% of patients experience pain past the 7-year mark. Around the measurables of these studies there are a lot of remaining questions about what patients can expect in their journey to recovery.

Financial Impacts of Whiplash

Over ten years ago, the overall economic burden of whiplash was estimated at $3.9 billion annually, and over $29 billion if litigation was added in with the factors of medical care, disability, and sick leave.

In today’s dollars this would be $4,825,728,506 and $35,883,622,228 respectively.

The secondary impacts that result from this type of injury are the ramifications to your life. Pain from whiplash can result in missed work and lost wages, adding financial strain on top of physical pain. Auxiliary injuries can occur as you strain other parts of your musculature system to avoid the pain in your neck.  

Banwo & Igbokwe Law understands how difficult it can be to return to life as usual after a serious accident. Our passion is in fighting for just compensation for our clients. See our track record of successful settlements related to whiplash and other related complications and injuries here. Traumatic head injuries, closed head injuries, permanent brain injury, spinal cord injury, quadriplegia, and other skull and spine damage can interact and intertwine with whiplash injuries from an accident. If you or someone you love have suffered harm in an accident,  to  Law right away for the help and justice you deserve.  

How Banwo & Igbokwe Law Can Help You 

Have you suffered a whiplash injury from a motor vehicle, workplace, slip and fall, or other type of accident? B & I Law truly understands the painful, frustrating, and expensive implications that these injuries can have on your body and your life.

When you reach out to the B & I Law firm following your whiplash injury, your expert attorney will guide you every step of the way through your claim and case process. They will be able to examine and investigate every detail of the events surrounding your injury. Armed with this information, your dedicated team will go to battle for your best possible settlement and your highest rightful compensation.  speak for themselves, and our passion to seek justice for our clients is limitless.

Suffering a traumatic whiplash injury like this after a serious accident can make recovery and healing a full–time job. Take care, focus on your health, and leave the hard work of fighting the insurance companies and at-fault parties to your trusted lawyer at Banwo & Igbokwe Law.

Don’t hesitate, state law limits your time to file a claim, and you deserve help right away. 402-345-5759

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