Car accidents are sudden and traumatic experiences. Victims of car accidents can suffer a wide range of injuries, including whiplash. Whiplash is a debilitating injury that may impact various aspects of a person’s life. A negligent driver who caused you to suffer a serious injury like whiplash should be held accountable for their actions. If you or a family member is suffering from whiplash after a car accident, you should speak with an experienced Fayetteville car accident lawyer. The lawyers at Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP are dedicated to helping you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP discuss the details of suing for whiplash after a car accident in Arkansas.

How a Car Crash Can Cause Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a forceful, sudden back-and-forth movement of a person’s head. Rear-end vehicle collisions often cause whiplash injuries. The sudden impact of a car slamming into the rear-end of another car will cause the victim’s head to swing forward rapidly and suffer whiplash injuries. This sudden extension can cause injuries to a person’s spine, nerves, tendons, muscles, and other neck tissues.

Whiplash symptoms usually appear within 24 hours of a serious car crash. There are several whiplash symptoms that a person can suffer from, like:

  • Decreased range of motion in the neck
  • Dizziness
  • Exhaustion
  • Headaches, primarily affecting the base of the skull
  • Pain and stiffness in the neck
  • Tingling or numbness in the upper extremities

There have also been reports of people suffering from symptoms like memory loss, blurred vision, and depression.

Each person may suffer different symptoms of whiplash. There are even certain factors that could cause a whiplash injury to escalate. For example, if you have had whiplash before or suffer from lower back pain or neck pain, you may be at risk for a more severe whiplash injury. These severe symptoms can include chronic neck pain and other long-term conditions.

What to Do After a Vehicle Collision in AR

After a being in a vehicle collision in Arkansas, if you are able, you should complete a few tasks that will later help your injury claim. The first thing you should do is call the police and report the accident.  After that, you should document your injuries, the injuries of any passengers in your vehicle, and the injuries of any other person involved in the accident. The next thing you should do is take photographs of the scene of the collision and all vehicles damaged in the collision. Make sure to take note of any adverse weather conditions.

One of the most important tasks you need to complete is documenting the negligent driver’s information. This information should include their driver’s license info, insurance info, registration info, license plate number, and make and model of their vehicle. If the driver was operating a commercial vehicle, you should also note the company that employs the driver. Commercial vehicle accidents can include truck accidents, delivery accidents, and other crashes with commercial drivers.

You should also get the contact information for any witnesses who saw the accident and are willing to make a statement. When police finish making their report, you should request a copy of the police report. You should also notify your insurance carrier of the collision as soon as possible.

Additionally, if you suffer whiplash because of the crash, you should thoroughly document your injury and the medical costs associated with the crash. This means you should take note of how the injury affects your everyday life, especially if you had to miss time at work because of the injury. Keep track of all your doctor visits, any medications your doctor prescribes, and any other medical treatments you had to endure.

It is wise to stay organized after being in a car crash. If you decide to file a personal injury claim, this will help your lawyer prepare your case.

Why You Should File Your Personal Injury Lawsuit Quickly

There are several benefits to filing your personal injury lawsuit quickly. One benefit is avoiding the statute of limitations filing deadline. The statute of limitations decides how long a person has to file a civil claim with the court. In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for a vehicle accident case is three years, giving you three years from the date of the accident to file your case.

Another reason to file your case early is that all of the evidence will be fresh. If you wait too long to file your injury claim, your witnesses’ memories may be unreliable when the case begins. Additionally, you may have trouble tracking down certain parties or pieces of evidence. Perhaps most importantly, you will be unable to receive compensation for your injuries until the case is complete, so filing sooner means getting compensation sooner.

Fayetteville, AR Personal Injury Attorneys Will Help You Fight Your Injury Claim

If you or a family member was the victim of a car crash and now suffers from whiplash, you should consult with an experienced Fayetteville personal injury attorney today. The legal professionals at Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP are ready to represent you in your personal injury lawsuit. To schedule a confidential consultation, call us at (479) 439-9840 or reach us online.