Whiplash

Experienced Injury Attorneys for Residents of Cape Cod

The injury lawyers at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III have more than 146 years of combined experience representing Cape Cod residents and other individuals throughout Massachusetts. Led by a recognized authority in car accident litigation, our firm has the resources to go toe-to-toe with big insurance companies and the ability and experience to help clients pursue the damages to which they may be entitled. We have a proven record of success and a hard-earned reputation for providing diligent services for the people whom we represent.

Whiplash is a common car accident injury that generally occurs when a person’s head snaps back suddenly, as in a vehicle collision. The term is often used to refer to a range of neck injuries that include muscle strain and tearing. Symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. While many people see their symptoms subside with medication and treatment, others can develop chronic neck problems, blurred vision, and even depression as a result of one instance of whiplash.

Pursuing Damages from a Negligent Party

In order to obtain compensation for whiplash and other injuries incurred in a crash, many victims may choose to file a lawsuit against those responsible for the collision. That usually means suing for negligence, a legal theory that holds people and entities liable for violating what lawyers and judges call a “duty of care.” Drivers owe others on the road a duty to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner, and they are likely to be found liable for negligence in the event that they cause an accident through unsafe behaviors like speeding, drinking and driving, or using a cell phone behind the wheel. Auto manufacturers and parts makers similarly owe motorists and other travelers a duty to ensure that their cars and related products are safe for use and to warn of any hazards posed by defects that they know or should know about.

In addition to proving that the defendant breached the duty of care, a person suing for negligence also has to show that the breach directly caused the crash or otherwise contributed to his or her harm. Insurance companies and other defendants in these cases often argue that certain injuries are the result of “preexisting conditions” that the victim already suffered from before the time of the crash. To combat this defense, the injured individual may need to gather a wide range of records from doctors and medical service providers to show that the accident either caused the particular injury or made it worse.

Even if a victim is partly responsible for a crash, he or she may still be able to obtain some damages – such as money for medical bills, missed wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress – under the state’s comparative negligence system. As long as the injured person is deemed to be no more than 50 percent responsible for the crash, he or she will simply have the total damages amount reduced based on proportionate fault.

Explore Your Options with a Massachusetts Lawyer after an Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or another type of motor vehicle collision in Massachusetts, the attorneys at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III can help. We offer free consultations from our offices, which are conveniently located in Hyannis and Plymouth. We are also happy to travel to you if you cannot make it to us. We do not charge a fee in many cases unless we are successful. Call us at 888-262-6664 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Nós Falamos Português.