• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

  • Whiplash
    • What is Whiplash?
    • How Long Does Whiplash Last?
  • Symptoms
  • Treatment
    • Exercises
    • Physiotherapy
    • Surgery
  • Compensation
  • Car Accident
    • What to Do When You Get in a Car Accident
    • The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
    • Wrong Way Car Crash
    • Why Hire a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer?
    • Injuries
      • Brain Injury
      • Delayed Injuries
      • Head Injury
      • Leg Injury
    • T-Bone Accident
    • Uninsured Motorist
    • Who Pays My Medical Bills?
  • Whiplash St. Louis Blog

whiplash

3 Common Neck Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

June 30, 2022 by Christopher

Neck and spine injuries resulting from a car accident can take days or even weeks to show their first symptoms.

When it comes to car accident injuries, most people think about broken bones, open wounds, or traumatic brain injuries. However, not all traumas leave immediately visible marks. Some even take a few days or weeks to show the first symptoms, making it difficult for victims to link them to the incident.

Neck and spine injuries are such an example. Let’s see what are the most common ones and what kind of accident causes them.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries caused by a car crash. It happens especially when your car is hit from behind, causing your head to suddenly be thrown in front. This can injure the muscles and soft tissue in your cervical area, which can cause pain and discomfort for days, weeks, or even months.

A lot of times, whiplash is ignored as the victim doesn’t notice it right away. In the accident and immediately after, the victims are often so pumped with adrenaline that they don’t feel the pain from their neck injuries. A few days later, they start noticing the first signs, but it can be too late.

Whiplash symptoms often include stiffness, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and decreased mobility. In very severe cases, the victim will have problems with their balance or vision.

Disc Hernia

The soft part of the vertebrae can be moved out of place by the impact following a car crash and press against a nerve. This causes a lot of pain and lack of mobility, tingling sensations, and numbness in your arms or legs.

car accident victim getting medical treatment for a neck injury

A herniated disc can generally be treated with physiotherapy or, in some cases, only through surgery.

Injured Vertebrae

The massive forces that pull and push your body during a car accident can hurt your biggest bone structure easily. The spine may be composed of relatively large bones, but its structure is quite delicate. Moreover, it protects one of the most important parts of your neural system: the spinal cord. A car accident can cause the vertebrae to dislocate and even fracture, which can vary from mild to severe.

When dislocated, your vertebrae move, and the ligaments holding them together are torn. When the vertebrae are not only dislocated but also fractured, your injury becomes much more dangerous, as fragments of broken bone might enter your spinal canal and lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.

Have You Been Injured in an Automobile Accident?

If you have suffered from a neck or back injury following a car accident, please make sure a doctor sees you as soon as possible. Make sure to also seek legal advice from an experienced car accident attorney. Your medical treatment should be covered by the insurance company, and the settlement should also include a “pain and suffering” coefficient.

Be sure to go to all necessary investigations, like MRI scans or CAT scans, and follow your doctor’s recommendations thoroughly. It will all count when it comes to your car accident settlement.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: neck injuries, whiplash

How to Obtain Compensation for a Soft Tissue Injury

June 28, 2022 by Christopher

Soft tissue injuries, which are common in car accidents, are often harder to prove.

soft tissue injury

The most severe St. Louis car accident injuries are often easy to understand for both yourself and insurance companies. When you go to negotiate for compensation, it may be fairly simple to show what happened. On the other hand, soft tissue injuries are not so straightforward because the evidence of them is often less apparent. Despite being less visible, these injuries can still be debilitating for the person suffering from them. Given the pain and complexity surrounding these injuries, victims of them do well to speak with a St. Louis car accident lawyer to ensure fair treatment. Below, you’ll learn the basics about soft tissue injuries and what to do if you ever suffer one.

Definition

Soft tissue refers to the parts of your body that support your bones and organs. This includes muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, fascia, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, fat, and more. A soft tissue injury is an ailment that affects these body parts. A few typical soft tissue injuries are sprains, strains, bruises, and whiplash.

Why Getting Compensated May Be Difficult

There are two primary reasons why these injuries are so hard to get compensated for. The first is that they are often hard to prove. As mentioned above, something like a broken bone is incredibly easy to demonstrate. You take an X-ray, you show up to your negotiations in a much-needed cast, and generally, face few questions about your ailment. With soft tissue injuries, what is wrong may be barely visible with medical tests, or not at all. The second reason is that these injuries are often seen as less debilitating as others, so insurance companies will discount them. This is not true, as an ailment like back pain can keep a physical laborer out of work for years. Still, this is the assumption that many insurance providers operate on.

Your Top Pieces of Evidence

To prove your injury, you will need every piece of evidence available. This evidence will primarily be made up of medical documents and opinions. If you can get any sort of pictures or medical assessment documents that back up your claim, then do so. Another possible piece of evidence is an expert witness that is willing to testify on your behalf.

How Hard is it to Prove a Soft-Tissue Injury?

man holding neck after a car accident

Most car accident victims think soft-tissue claims are straightforward. However, soft-tissue injuries are generally harder to prove than other types of car injuries. Here are five reasons why:

Soft-Tissue Injuries Are Often Invisible to Imaging Tests

Unlike a broken bone or deep laceration, which will show up clearly on an X-ray, soft-tissue injuries are often invisible to imaging tests. This can make it tough to convince insurance companies and other interested parties that your injury is real and severe. As a result, many people who sustain soft-tissue injuries find themselves in an uphill battle to get the compensation they deserve.

Symptoms May Not Appear Until Days or Weeks Later

Another reason why these claims can be tricky is that soft-tissue injuries can take days or even weeks to manifest. So, if you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention right away after an accident, even if you don’t feel injured. A medical professional can document your injuries and symptoms and help establish a link between the accident and your injuries.

Soft-Tissue Injuries Often Involve Subjective Symptoms

Although soft-tissue injuries can be just as severe as other car accident injuries, they often involve subjective symptoms, such as pain and stiffness. These symptoms can be difficult to document and may vary from person to person. As a result, insurance companies often deny claims for soft-tissue injuries, asserting that the claimant is not injured or that the symptoms are not as severe as they claim. This can make it hard for victims of soft-tissue injuries to obtain the compensation they need and deserve.

Soft-Tissue Injuries Can Be Aggravated by Everyday Activities

Another reason soft-tissue injury claims can be hard to prove is that these types of injuries can be aggravated by everyday activities. Even something as simple as walking or getting out of bed can cause pain and discomfort for someone who has suffered a soft-tissue injury. As a result, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact source of the pain and suffering.

Pre-Existing Conditions Can Complicate Matters

If you have a pre-existing condition, it can be used against you to downplay the severity of your soft-tissue injury. For example, if you have arthritis in your shoulder and suffer a rotator cuff tear in an accident, the other side may try to claim that your arthritis is to blame for your pain rather than the accident.

How To Strengthen Your Soft-Tissue Injury Claim

Despite these challenges, there are certain steps you can take to strengthen your claim.

First, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. This will provide documentation of your injuries and help establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries.

Second, keep a detailed record of all medical expenses related to your injury, including doctor visits, prescriptions, and other out-of-pocket costs. This documentation will be essential in showing the financial impact of your injuries.

Third, work with an experienced car injury attorney. An attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.

How to Get Compensated

Once you have obtained all of your evidence, it is time to compile it and present it. Generally, with the help of a lawyer, you will craft a plan to convince an insurance company, or a courtroom, that you deserve compensation. Your lawyer will gather more evidence if needed, tell you how strong your case is, then argue it for you.

It is important to remember that insurance companies are businesses that are trying to turn a profit. Part of that profit-seeking might be giving you a low offer for your soft tissue injury. One of the best ways to prevent this from happening, and to combat it if it does, is to hire an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer. They will help you gather evidence, create a case, and get all of the compensation you deserve.

FREE Case Evaluation 24/7

Call (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: whiplash

What Happens if You Leave Whiplash Untreated?

February 3, 2022 by Christopher

Treatment for whiplash can help prevent long-term complications and improve your quality of life.

Did you know that whiplash is one of the most common injuries in America? According to recent statistics, it’s responsible for over 2.5 million visits to the doctor each year. And that’s just the people who seek medical attention. Unfortunately, many more suffer from whiplash injuries and do not seek medical attention.

This leads to two important questions: What is whiplash? And what would happen if you left it untreated?

FREE CONSULTATION (314) 361-4242

st. louis woman with whiplash

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a type of injury caused by the sudden movement of the head, either forward, backward, or sideways. This can occur in car accidents, sporting events, or any other situation with a sudden impact.

Whiplash can cause various symptoms, including neck pain, stiffness, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, irritability, and sleep disturbance. In some cases, the victim may not experience any symptoms until days or even weeks after the accident.

What Happens if Left Untreated?

If whiplash is left untreated, it can lead to the following long-term problems:

Chronic Neck Pain

If left untreated, chronic neck pain can occur. This pain persists for more than three months after the initial injury. Symptoms may include aching, stiffness, and tenderness in the neck. In some cases, chronic neck pain can lead to limitations in movement and decreased quality of life.

Loss of Mobility

Whiplash can also lead to loss of mobility, as the neck muscles may become so stiff and sore that they cannot support the head. This can cause the victim to lose balance and experience difficulty walking or performing everyday tasks. In some cases, the victim may not be able to return to work or resume their normal activities.

Persistent Headaches

Whiplash can also cause persistent headaches, which may last for weeks or even months after the initial injury. These headaches can be debilitating and interfere with your ability to function normally.

Ringing in the Ears

Whiplash can also cause ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus. This condition causes a person to hear a ringing, buzzing, or humming noise that is not actually there. Tinnitus can be very disruptive and may interfere with your ability to sleep, work, or enjoy life.

Seeking Treatment

If you are involved in a car accident, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Treatment for whiplash can help prevent long-term complications and improve your quality of life.

 Some treatment options for whiplash include chiropractic care, physical therapy, and medications, including painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants. In some cases, surgery may be required to correct the damage caused by whiplash.

St. Louis Whiplash Attorneys

Compensation for whiplash can include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To increase your chances of fair compensation, it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced car accident attorney.

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, we have decades of experience helping car accident victims get the compensation they deserve and can help you too. Contact us today for a free consultation.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: whiplash

Disability after a Car Accident Injury – St. Louis Auto Accident Attorneys

May 28, 2021 by Christopher

Some St. Louis car accident victims have suffered physical and psychological trauma, making it impossible to work.

car accident disability

Car accidents are not usually the reason that people file for disability. The aftermath and the repercussions are the reasons that people file. Some have suffered physical and psychological trauma, making it impossible to work. While they may not qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance because the injuries are not going to incapacity them for more than 12 months, they will be able to get something. Individual and group long-term disability policies generally cover the precise disability due to car accidents. These include health issues like whiplash, broken bones, and other diagnoses. While broken limbs are painful, they do not typically keep most people out of work for more than a year. Those bones will heal.

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Whiplash and neck pain are the pair of most common injuries in a car accident. Many people who have been in an accident do not even know that they have suffered from it. The side effects can take some time to become evident. Whiplash affects 1 in 5 people long-term. They generally must be living with pain for around a year to be considered chronic.

Whiplash often causes sleep deprivation, forgetfulness, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, and extreme fatigue. These symptoms may make it hard to concentrate or work. Therefore preparing and filing a disability claim becomes important if a person happens to have these symptoms. Claims examiners are trained to be skeptical, especially of those claiming that they have a debilitating whiplash condition. Therefore it is imperative to have supporting medical documentation to support a claim and to prove that the condition is a real injury. It is also important to consider that whiplash can worsen, so following a physician’s guidelines is imperative. If ignored, the increase of long-lasting complications will be almost inevitable.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are common and are too often left to be diagnosed long after the accident. There are, in fact, three general types of back injuries. In some cases, cervical vertebrae injuries are common and much like whiplash. Lumbar spine injuries are painful, and while not always the most severe, the pain can still be debilitating. Thoracic spine injuries are often the most severe in an auto accident. These injuries involve the upper back and are connected to the ribs and chest region. They are usually caused by high-speed collisions and can result in permanent nerve damage. In fact, no matter what part of your back is experiencing pain, it is still important to understand that there can still be a disc herniation, and this can happen suddenly. When it does, it will cause intense pressure and pain until it is resolved. Back claims are another area that insurance adjusters are trained to be extremely skeptical. Again, documentation of your injuries is crucial.

Broken Bones

Broken bones and fractures are common too. While most heal without any long-lasting injury, other complications can affect a claimant’s ability to work right after the fracture. There may be soft tissue injuries or other pain. There may be blood clots or Chronic Pain Syndrome. These are major issues that arise from a broken limb. These conditions may only allow for short-term leave at most workplaces. With these injures, some believe that working less strenuously is still an option.

While this may seem like the thing to do, it is not advisable. Car accidents in America often cause PTSD and depression.  Some develop an anxiety disorder from their pain, and these go hand in hand with PTSD after a car crash. Those who have been in the midst of an attack know that it can be crippling. However, insurance companies are very, very good at developing reasons to deny this.

Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible

Car accidents cause a lot of stress, and you will likely have to deal with other things in addition to your pain. You will have police reports, insurance claims, medical bills, and possibly disability forms to fill out. Our team of highly skilled legal professionals can help.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: back injury, broken bones, neck injuries, whiplash

Why the Long-Term Effects of Whiplash Should Not Be Ignored After a Car Accident

May 6, 2021 by Christopher

Whiplash is often viewed as a minor injury that will go away on its own. However, here’s why you should never ignore symptoms of whiplash after a car accident.

When it comes to car accident claims, whiplash is perhaps one of the most underrated injuries. Some people see it as a minor injury and assume that those who complain about it are just exaggerating their symptoms as a way to get more compensation. Some victims treat whiplash as a mild soreness and decide not to treat it, thinking that it will go away on its own. 

The reality is different, though. Not only is whiplash one of the most common injuries in car accidents, but its long-term consequences can cause a lot of damage and affect one’s quality of life. 

whiplash

What Is Whiplash? 

A broad definition of whiplash would be a neck injury caused by a forceful and sudden back and forth movement of the neck, similar to the cracking of a whip (hence the name whiplash.)

Medical books use whiplash-associated disorders (WAP) to describe injuries caused by sudden acceleration-deceleration movements. WAP can affect various points of the cervical spine, depending on the direction and force of the impact. 

Signs of Whiplash

One of the most important things you need to understand about whiplash is that, more often than not, its symptoms will not show right away. While some car accident victims will experience the first signs of whiplash within minutes or hours after the impact, for others, it can take days or even weeks for the first symptom to show. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible after a car crash. 

Some of the early signs of whiplash include: 

  • Neck and back pain
  • Shoulder pain that radiates from the neck
  • A feeling of pins and needles in the neck and surrounding areas;
  • Headaches;
  • Reduced range of motion in the neck and shoulders

The Long-Term Effects of Whiplash

In most cases, with the right treatment and care, the symptoms of whiplash will alleviate in a few weeks or months. If left untreated, the pain and restrictions caused by this injury can last for a year and significantly affect one’s quality of life. 

Some of the long-term consequences of whiplash include: 

  • Chronic pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders
  • Upper and lower back pain
  • Chronic headaches
  • Numbness and weakness in the hand and arm
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Memory problems.

Have You Been Involved in a St. Louis Car Crash?

Have you or a loved one been hurt in a St. Louis car crash? Get in touch with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected. As we’ve mentioned, a lot of car accident victims dismiss the signs of whiplash, thinking that it’s just a minor injury that doesn’t require medical treatment. However, the long-term consequences of whiplash can impact your health for years to come and affect your quality of life tremendously. An experienced auto accident lawyer is aware of all these potential problems and can ensure you get the compensation you are legally entitled to after an accident.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: whiplash

St. Louis Car Accident Aggravated Pre-Existing Condition?

May 3, 2021 by Christopher

Car accidents can be devastating, and even if you do not suffer a debilitating injury from the accident itself, a major accident can often worsen an existing medical issue. 

If you already have a medical problem and the accident makes it worse, what kind of damages can you get? Are you entitled to compensation.

st. louis couple in car accident

You Can Generally Get Compensation for Pre-Existing Conditions Worsened by an Accident

Generally speaking, you cannot receive compensation for injuries or conditions that are not worsened by a car accident. In other words, only pre-existing conditions that were directly affected by the accident qualify for compensation.

For example, if you suffer from chronic back and neck pain and are involved in an accident that causes whiplash and damages your spine, you will be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

However, it’s important to note that you are only entitled to receive compensation to the degree that the accident made your pre-existing condition worse. This is also called the “exacerbation” or “aggravation” of an existing condition. 

When recovering damages, you are typically able to receive compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering, as well as medical bills. You may also be entitled to compensation for mental health issues like depression and anxiety related to the accident. 

Detailed Medical Records About Your Pre-Existing Condition Are Important

To obtain compensation for the aggravation of a pre-existing condition, it’s important to be able to establish your pre-existing condition, its severity, and how it affected your life before the accident.

Detailed medical records and other such information about your pre-existing medical conditions are essential for this. If you cannot prove your condition’s existence, this may limit your ability to recover damages.

In addition, if you lie or fail to disclose your pre-existing condition during proceedings, this could jeopardize your case and even expose you to legal penalties. It’s important to be open and honest about any medical conditions you suffered from before your accident. 

Has Your Pre-Existing Condition Been Made Worse By a St. Louis Car Accident?

Unfortunately, insurance companies often do their best to deny claims and reduce compensation in situations where a pre-existing condition has been worsened by a car accident. 

To ensure that you get the compensation you deserve, it’s important to work with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can understand the details of your case, compile evidence proving your claim, and negotiate with insurers and other parties for the best possible outcome.

Don’t wait. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm today. Our experienced auto injury lawyers in St. Louis can review your case and provide you with the professional representation you need to recover the compensation you are legally entitled to.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Pre-Existing Injury, whiplash

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.
130 S Bemiston Ave # 603
St. Louis, MO 63105
(314) 361-4242

Free Consultation Request

    RSS Car Accident Lawyer & Auto Accident Attorney St. Louis

    • Yellow Light Accident Lawyer St. Louis
    • How Cold Weather Can Increase Your Risk of a St. Louis Car Accident
    • Receiving Medical Care After a Car Accident
    • 3 Common Brain Injuries That Occur in Car Accidents 
    • St. Louis Pile-Up Car Accident Lawyer
    • St. Louis Car Accident Cause by Failing to Use Turn Signals
    • Can Car Safety Features Cause Accidents and Injuries?
    • 5 Face Injuries Common in Car Accidents
    • 3 Types of Evidence to Prove a Drowsy Driver Caused Your St. Louis Car Accident
    • Leg Injuries from Car Accidents

    Copyright © 2023 The Hoffmann Law Firm L.L.C.
    The images included on this site are not actual attorneys, events, or clients. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Attorney Chris Hoffmann handles car and truck accident claims throughout Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. He represents injured clients in St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, Clayton, East St. Louis, Alton, Hillsboro and Belleville, and other cities in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson Country, MO, and St. Clair County and Madison County, IL.