Whiplash Attorney in St. Louis

If you have suffered a whiplash injury in a car accident or other type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the attorneys at Sansone & Lauber are ready to assist you. We will review the details of your injury free of charge and discuss your options for seeking compensation for your medical bills and other expenses.

A whiplash injury may not be obvious right after an accident. You may develop severe neck pain or soreness a day or two later. Obtaining medical care should be your top priority. If you have questions about whether you have a legal case, we try to answer your questions and offer guidance based on years of experience. Our knowledgeable injury attorneys focus on helping people in St. Louis recover compensation for car accident injuries caused by others.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the head being thrown forcefully backward and forward in a rapid motion. The impact causes the neck muscles and ligaments of the neck to stretch beyond their normal range of motion, tearing soft tissue. The forceful motion may also damage bones in the neck, and disks between the neck vertebrae and nerves.

A whiplash also may be diagnosed as a neck sprain or neck strain. Whiplash injuries are the most commonly reported injuries in insurance claims, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

A minor whiplash injury may heal in a few months, but a severe whiplash injury may involve nerve or disk damage and cause chronic pain and lasting discomfort

Whiplash Causes

Whiplash injuries may occur in any type of car crash. But rear-end car collisions are the most common cause of whiplash injuries. The impact of a rear-end collision can cause a victim’s head to be flung backward, then forward. Even a low-speed rear-end collision can cause a painful whiplash injury.

Head restraints in automobiles – also known as head rests – are designed to limit the head’s  motion during a collision and help prevent neck and shoulder injuries. It is important to make sure that your car’s head restraints are properly adjusted. The top of the head restraint should be positioned between the top of your ears and the top of your head to be most effective, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In addition to auto accidents, a whiplash injury may be caused by a fall, a sports accident or a physical assault. An individual who slips and falls on a slippery floor or because of a hazard also may hyperextend his or her neck because of the impact of the fall. Anytime you are injured in an accident, you should seek a prompt medical evaluation and let the doctor know that you have been in a crash or a slip and fall accident.

Whiplash Symptoms

The symptoms of whiplash include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Numbness in arms
• Loss of range of motion
• Fatigue

• Worsening pain with neck movement
• Dizziness
• Headaches