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When people think of car accidents, they often picture broken bones or dramatic injuries. But some of the most serious and long-lasting injuries are less visible. One of the most misunderstood—and underestimated—is whiplash. It’s a common consequence of rear-end collisions, and it can lead to chronic pain, neurological symptoms, and a cascade of legal and medical complications if not addressed early.
At Boland Aarab PLLP, we’ve helped numerous Montanans navigate the legal aftermath of car crashes. If you’re suffering from whiplash or any soft tissue injury, don’t let an insurance company minimize your experience. This article explains what whiplash really is, how symptoms evolve, and why hiring an attorney can make the difference between being dismissed and being compensated.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the rapid back-and-forth motion of the head, much like the cracking of a whip. It’s most often associated with rear-end collisions but can also result from side-impact crashes, sports injuries, or even minor fender benders.
At its core, whiplash is a soft tissue injury—affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and discs in the neck and upper spine. While the term “soft tissue” may sound minor, these injuries can lead to real suffering. Common symptoms include:
For some, symptoms appear within 24 hours. For others, it can take days—or even weeks—to fully develop. And once symptoms set in, they can last for months or years, affecting your ability to work, sleep, or enjoy daily life.
Why Soft Tissue Injuries Are Legally Complicated
Unlike a broken bone, soft tissue injuries don’t show up clearly on X-rays. That makes whiplash difficult to “prove” in the way an insurance company often demands. This creates a major legal problem: if the medical evidence isn’t straightforward, the insurer may offer a lowball settlement—or deny the claim entirely.
To make matters worse, whiplash claims are often treated with suspicion. Insurance adjusters are trained to look for gaps in treatment, delayed symptoms, or anything that can be spun as “exaggerated.” They may argue that you were not truly injured, or that your pain stems from a preexisting condition.
At Boland Aarab PLLP, we push back against these tactics. We work closely with medical providers to document the progression of your injury, secure the necessary diagnostic imaging, and present a clear picture of your pain and limitations. We also prepare your case from day one as if it might go to trial—even if it doesn’t—because preparation is power.
Delayed Symptoms and the Risk of Settling Too Soon
One of the most common mistakes after a car accident is settling the claim too early. You may feel “okay” in the days following the crash. Adrenaline can mask pain, and soft tissue damage often worsens over time. A few weeks later, you might be struggling to turn your neck or waking up every night with headaches—and by then, it may be too late to reopen your claim.
Once you sign a release with an insurance company, your case is closed. Even if new symptoms develop or your condition worsens, you cannot seek more compensation.
That’s why it’s crucial to:
We’ve seen clients go from minor aches to permanent limitations in a matter of weeks. Don’t assume it will resolve on its own.
The Hidden Costs of Whiplash
The cost of whiplash extends beyond your medical bills. Many of our clients face:
Insurance companies often undervalue these harms, especially in “low-speed” collisions. But the force of impact is not always correlated with the severity of injury. Even a slow-moving vehicle can cause serious neck trauma, especially when the occupant is unprepared for the collision. Think of the head like a bowling ball and the neck like a broom. If you are hit from behind and don’t brace yourself, the head pushes forward suddenly. That creates a lot of tension and force on your neck. It can be surprising just how much damage even a low impact collision can cause.
We know how to present these damages effectively, whether through medical testimony, vocational experts, or day-in-the-life evidence that shows how your life has been altered.
Why You Need an Attorney for a Whiplash Injury
Handling a personal injury claim alone can be intimidating and overwhelming. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They may be friendly, but they’re not on your side.
Here’s what a good attorney does for you:
Most importantly, we give you peace of mind. While you focus on healing, we handle the insurance company.
Why Choose Boland Aarab PLLP?
We’re not a billboard firm. We don’t rely on gimmicks. At Boland Aarab PLLP, we are trial lawyers who believe in doing the hard work—digging into medical records, understanding the science behind your injury, and standing up to billion-dollar insurance companies.
We’ve recovered substantial compensation for clients in some of the most conservative venues in the state. We’ve won soft tissue cases that other firms turned down. And we never treat your injury like it’s minor just because you walked away from the crash.
When you hire us, you’re getting a team that:
If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury in Montana, don’t wait for the pain to become unbearable. Call us early, while the evidence is fresh and your legal rights are still protected.
What to Do If You Think You Have Whiplash
Contact Us Today
If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t assume the insurance company has your best interests in mind. At Boland Aarab PLLP, we’re here to help you understand your rights, navigate the medical and legal maze, and get the compensation you deserve. Call or visit our website at bolandaarab.com to set up a free consultation today. Let us fight for you!