Metairie Whiplash Injury Lawyer

Whiplash Is More Serious Than Many People Realize, and Can Have Long-Term Consequences

A car accident can happen in a matter of seconds, but the pain it causes can last for months or even years. One of the most common and misunderstood injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes is whiplash. While it may sound minor, whiplash can cause long-term pain, limited mobility, and financial strain from missed work and ongoing medical care.



Car crash attorney Donald D’Aunoy Jr. represents car accident victims throughout Metairie and the surrounding areas who are suffering from whiplash injuries.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury caused by a rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck, similar to the cracking of a whip. It most often occurs in rear-end collisions but can happen in almost any type of crash, even at low speeds. The force of impact causes the neck to snap backward and forward violently, stretching or tearing muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

While many people associate whiplash with neck pain alone, the effects can reach well beyond that. The injury can affect the upper back, shoulders, jaw, and even the spine. Some victims recover within a few weeks, but others experience chronic pain or complications that last for years.

Common Causes of Whiplash in Metairie

Whiplash can result from many different types of motor vehicle accidents, including:

• Rear-end collisions, the most common cause, where a stopped or slowing vehicle is struck from behind
• Head-on collisions that force the head forward and backward violently
• Side-impact or T-bone crashes, which cause the head and neck to snap sideways
• Multi-vehicle pileups, where repeated rear impacts cause multiple whipping motions in quick succession, increasing injury risk
• Low-speed accidents, which can still generate enough force to injure the neck and spine
• Even if a vehicle sustains only minor damage, the human body can still absorb significant force.

See a Doctor Right Away, Even if You Think Your Injuries Are Minor

Victims should always seek medical attention immediately after any crash, even if symptoms do not appear right away. Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries often take hours or even days to develop, but that delay doesn’t make them any less serious.

Getting examined promptly serves two purposes: it protects your health and preserves your right to pursue compensation. Medical professionals can identify injuries that aren’t yet causing pain, such as ligament damage or small spinal misalignments, and document them while the connection to the accident is clear.

One of the most common mistakes after a whiplash injury is assuming the pain will fade on its own. Waiting to see a doctor gives insurance companies room to argue that your condition wasn’t caused by the crash at all. Without early medical records linking the injury to the accident, it becomes much harder to prove your claim, and you may be left without coverage for treatment or missed work.

Prompt medical documentation creates the foundation of a strong injury claim and helps ensure you receive the care and compensation you deserve.