Rock Hill Whiplash Injury Lawyer

whiplash injury
whiplash injury

Despite what insurance companies may tell you, whiplash is not a minor injury. Whiplash actually is a complex injury that can cause extensive pain and affect your life for months or years after it happens.

If you or a family member have suffered this injury due to someone else’s negligence, you owe it to yourself to pursue all legal options available to you. The highly dedicated Rock Hill personal injury attorneys of the law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC, are here to assist you.

We have decades of combined experience in helping accident victims and their families in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and surrounding South Carolina communities. You can count on us to understand your injury and vigorously pursue all compensation that you deserve.

Contact the law offices to discuss your case in a consultation with our Rock Hill car accident lawyers.

What is a Whiplash Injury?

Imagine a bowling ball that sits at the top of a cane pole. If you rapidly shake the cane pole back and forth, the weight of the bowling ball will likely snap the pole.

This is how whiplash injuries occur. The weight of your head puts tremendous pressure on the cervical area of your spine or neck area.

When car accidents occur, your head moves back and forth in a sudden, violent motion. Your spine may not snap like the cane pole. However, strong connective tissue – muscles, ligaments, and tendons – may experience tremendous strain and suffer severe damage.

A whiplash injury can affect many other areas of your life. If you suffer from whiplash, you may find it is extremely difficult to do your daily tasks at work or chores around the home. Lifting kids, climbing stairs, and standing to cook or clean for long periods of time can become agonizing.

A whiplash injury attorney in Rock Hill of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC will listen to you and learn how your whiplash injury has affected your ability to work and enjoy life.

We will work hard to pursue a settlement or verdict that addresses the unique harm that you have suffered. We will always focus on what is important to you.

How Do You Know If You Have a Whiplash Injury?

If you are involved in a car collision in South Carolina or any other type of accident such as a slip and fall, you should pay close attention to your health. You should immediately see a doctor who will check you for potential injuries.

Seeing a doctor is especially important if you show any of the common signs and symptoms of a whiplash injury, which include:

Physical Symptoms:

  • Neck pain and soreness
  • Limited range of motion
  • Tingling or tenderness
  • Stiffness in the neck and shoulders
  • Upper back pain
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue or exhaustion
  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Sleep problems
  • Difficulty sitting or standing for long periods

Emotional or Psychological Symptoms:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Nervousness
  • Irritability or mood swings
  • Lethargy (feeling lazy or unable to move around).

Everyone is different. You may experience several of the above symptoms. You may also suffer none of those symptoms yet still suffer from a serious whiplash injury. Additionally, some people may experience these symptoms right away.

Other people may not notice them until several days or even weeks pass after a crash. Again, this is why you should immediately seek medical attention after a motor vehicle crash. You will need timely care and treatment.

Also, by seeing a doctor, you will document your injury. This documentation can help to establish the connection between your accident and injury.

What is the Statute of Limitations for South Carolina Whiplash Lawsuits?

Like other states, South Carolina limits the time you have to bring a personal injury lawsuit, including a claim that involves a car accident. Generally, you have three years from the date of injury to bring the lawsuit against the party – or parties – that are responsible for it. If you fail to do so, a court would likely dismiss any lawsuit that you file. Because of this rule, or Statute of Limitations, you should speak with a Rock Hill personal injury attorney from the law office of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC as early as possible after an auto accident.

We will review your case and determine what time limits apply to your potential whiplash claim. We will also make sure to take timely and efficient action on your behalf.

Are Rear-End Car Accidents Responsible for Whiplash?

A car accident is the most common cause of whiplash – specifically, rear-end collisions.

Typically, in these crashes, two cars travel at roughly the same speed. The car in front may slow down to make a turn or come to a stop at a sign or traffic light, which reduces the body’s rate of movement.

However, a careless and inattentive driver in the rear car continues to travel at the same speed and rams into the front car. When the cars collide, the impact can thrust the front car driver’s body forward faster than the driver’s head. This causes a whip-like effect that damages tissue in the neck.

Additionally, in a rear-end crash, the driver in the front car typically does not see the rear car approaching. So, the driver has no time to brace for the impact.

In addition to whiplash, a car accident victim may suffer several closely related injuries, including:

Your personal injury attorney from the South Carolina law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC will closely review your medical records to determine the full extent of the injuries you have sustained in your motor vehicle accident.

We may also consult with medical experts. These experts can help us to understand the nature and severity of your injuries. In turn, they can help us to explain those injuries to insurance companies or to a jury. An expert can also help us to assess the medical care that you will need as you move forward. Your health and well-being will be our top priority, and we will want to make sure that you have the funds you will need to treat your injuries.

How Our Rock Hill Whiplash Injury Lawyers Can Help with Your Case

When you call on McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC, we will listen to you.

We want to learn as much as we can about your case. How did the crash occur? Who was with you? Where did it occur?  Were there any witnesses?

Are there photos, videos, or any other types of evidence we can obtain? As we carefully work through the details with you, we will begin to build a theory of your case that will guide our legal strategy. Next, we will investigate your crash.

As part of this investigation, we may interview witnesses or talk to the police and EMTs who responded to the accident. In some cases, we will consult with crash reconstruction experts.

We will also carefully calculate your damages. Our goal will be to pursue an amount that addresses the specific harm that whiplash has brought to your life.

While you focus on your health, we will deal with the insurance company and seek a settlement that fully and fairly compensates you. We will always advise you about any settlement offer that you receive. If necessary, our highly skilled trial lawyers will be ready to pursue your case in the courtroom and force the insurance companies to pay what you are due.

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Our Rock Hill Whiplash Injury Attorneys Are Ready to Help You

A whiplash injury can be life-changing and make it extremely difficult to engage in basic daily activities. At McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC, we want to help you to get back your life.

While we cannot undo the effects of an accident, we can help you to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering, and more. Experience, compassion, and attention to detail will serve as our guiding principles as we pursue the best possible result for you.

Keep in mind: Insurance companies may try to play down the severity of your whiplash injury and offer you a low settlement. You should never sign anything until you talk with a personal injury attorney from the law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC first. The insurance company won’t have your best interests in mind – but we will.

We serve car accident victims and their families throughout Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Indian Land, Lancaster, York, Chester, and surrounding areas in South Carolina. If you or a loved one has suffered whiplash due to another driver’s negligence, contact us today to discuss your case in a consultation.