You can seek compensation for whiplash in Georgia if another party caused the crash. The value of your damages depends on your medical care, missed work, and how the injury affects your daily life.
Our Marietta car accident lawyer will review your claim and help you decide how to move forward. We will handle the insurance company for you and protect your case.
What Is Whiplash, and Why Seek Damages for It?
Whiplash happens when your neck snaps forward and backward quickly. This kind of injury often happens in rear-end crashes, head-on collisions, falls, and during contact sports where the body takes a sudden hit.
People who suffer whiplash injuries can have:
- Neck pain that makes it hard to turn your head
- Herniated discs
- Headaches
- Pain in the shoulders or upper back
- Dizziness
- Trouble concentrating
Some people heal in a few days or weeks. Others may struggle with the pain for months or longer. In serious cases, whiplash can cause long-term issues that affect a person’s daily life, making it hard to work, sleep, and do other everyday activities.
When an injury changes how you live from day to day, you may suffer real losses. You can seek damages from the party that caused the accident. These are meant to account for the financial and personal costs of the injury.
In a case involving a whiplash injury, damages may include:
- Medical help and rehabilitation
- Ongoing follow-up care
- Lost income and future earning capacity
- Pain and discomfort (physical and mental)
- Changes in your daily life
Our injury lawyer will link your medical care, missed work, and daily limitations to the crash so your claim shows what you have been through.
Signs Your Whiplash May Be More Serious
As you recover, pay attention to signs that may point to a more serious issue that needs prompt attention:
- Pain that doesn’t get better after a few weeks
- Tingling or numbness in your arms or hands
- Severe headaches that keep coming back
- Trouble sleeping due to neck pain
- Difficulty focusing or remembering things
These symptoms may suggest nerve involvement or deeper injury. A doctor can evaluate what is going on and recommend the right care.
How Insurance Companies May Respond to Whiplash Claims
It is not uncommon for insurance companies to look closely at claims for whiplash injuries. This is especially the case when symptoms don’t show right away or aren’t visible on a scan. This still doesn’t mean your injury isn’t serious or that you shouldn’t file a claim.
We are prepared to deal with challenges that could come up in your case, such as if an insurance adjuster:
- Questions how serious your injury is
- Looks for gaps in your treatment
- Suggests a prior injury or medical condition caused your pain
- Offers a fast settlement before you realize the full scope of your injuries
We review the evidence in your case and use it to support your claim as we work toward a fair outcome based on your actual losses. Before negotiations begin, we take the time to assess the full value of your damages so nothing important is left out.
How Long Do You Have to Sue for Whiplash Damages in Georgia?
If moving your case to trial becomes necessary, we have a set time to file a lawsuit for damages. Under Georgia Code § 9-3-33, we have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
If this deadline passes, you may lose the right to recover damages. We will track this deadline carefully and prepare your case on time.
What to Do After a Crash That Causes Whiplash
After a crash, many people feel like they are being pulled in different directions. Still, it is important to protect yourself as you focus on recovery.
Here are some things to do now:
- See a doctor right away: A doctor will document your injury. We work with medical providers who may treat you on a lien, so you can get care even without insurance. Our attorney will review your records and connect them to the crash.
- Follow your treatment plan: Any gaps in care can hurt your claim. We will monitor your treatment and explain how it affects your case.
- Report the crash promptly: A police report creates an official record of what happened. It also includes the officer’s observations about what happened, which can back your claims. We will use it as evidence in addition to other documents.
- Avoid giving detailed statements to insurers: Adjusters may look for ways to limit or dismiss your claim. We will protect your claim by handling conversations with the insurance company for you.
- Save all your accident–related records: This includes bills, receipts, photos, video footage you may have, and notes you’ve made about your pain. We will organize it for your case file.
Talk With Jones & Swanson About Damages for Your Georgia Whiplash Case
If your pain becomes long-term or you cannot return to work or manage daily tasks the way you once did, you may have the right to pursue an award that reflects your losses. You don’t have to handle a whiplash claim for damages on your own. We will help.
A Jones & Swanson personal injury lawyer in Marietta will lead your claim while you rest and focus on treating your injury. We are not a high–volume, big–box firm that treats people like numbers. We keep our size small so we can focus on you and guide your case with care. We will call or email you back and stay with you from start to finish.
Our team brings 50+ years of combined experience and has recovered over $50 million for clients across Georgia. We will work to move your case forward and pursue the damages that reflect your experience. Call today to speak with us about your injury during a free consultation.
