Pittsburgh
Whiplash Injuries Lawyer

Whiplash is often dismissed as a minor injury, but anyone who has lived with it knows better. The rapid back-and-forth motion of a collision can strain the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck, leading to pain, stiffness, headaches, and symptoms that can linger for months or longer.

A Pittsburgh whiplash injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation after a crash that left you with neck and soft tissue injuries. Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., have seasoned personal injury attorneys with decades of experience in advocating for injury victims throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Call Our Attorneys: (412) 471-8500

Common Causes of Whiplash Injuries in Pennsylvania

Whiplash occurs when a sudden impact forces the head and neck to snap forward and backward faster than the body can brace. While rear-end collisions are the most common cause, these injuries can result from many types of car accidents and other circumstances.

  • Rear-End Collisions: Even a low-speed rear-end crash can generate enough force to injure the neck. Many whiplash victims are stopped at a light or in traffic when they are struck from behind.
  • Side-Impact and Intersection Crashes: T-bone collisions can whip the head sideways, straining muscles and ligaments in ways that may take days to fully appear.
  • Rideshare, Bus, and Commercial Vehicle Accidents: Passengers in larger vehicles or those struck by them can suffer whiplash even when property damage looks minimal.
  • Other Accidents: Slip and falls, sports collisions, and workplace incidents can also cause whiplash-type injuries when the head is jolted suddenly.

Why Whiplash Injuries Are Easy to Underestimate

Whiplash symptoms often do not appear right away. Many people feel fine at the scene, only to wake up the next morning with neck pain, headaches, dizziness, or numbness radiating into the shoulders and arms. Because the injury involves soft tissue rather than broken bones, it may not show up clearly on X-rays.

Prompt medical care matters for two reasons. It protects your health by catching injuries early, and it creates the documentation that links your symptoms to the accident. Gaps in treatment are one of the most common reasons insurers dispute whiplash claims.

Why Whiplash Claims Are Different

Most car accident claims involve visible vehicle damage and injuries that appear on imaging. Whiplash claims often involve neither, which gives insurance companies room to argue that the injury is exaggerated or unrelated to the crash.

These details can significantly affect how your claim is valued and whether the insurer takes it seriously.

Our attorneys work to gather the information needed to establish:

  • How the collision occurred and the forces involved
  • When your symptoms began and how they progressed
  • What diagnoses and treatment your medical providers documented
  • Whether credit card benefits provide additional coverageHow the injury has affected your work and daily life
  • Whether your symptoms meet the serious injury threshold under Pennsylvania law

Starting this investigation early helps preserve important evidence and can reduce unnecessary delays.

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Understanding Your Rights After a Whiplash Injury

Pennsylvania law can affect your ability to recover compensation after a whiplash injury. Some of the most important legal considerations include:

  • Time Limits to File: Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. Missing this deadline may prevent you from pursuing compensation.
  • Limited Tort Coverage: Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705, drivers who selected limited tort coverage generally cannot recover pain and suffering damages unless they sustained a serious injury or another exception applies. Whether whiplash qualifies depends on the severity and lasting impact of your symptoms.
  • Comparative Negligence: Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102, meaning you may still recover compensation if you are less than 51% responsible for the accident, although your recovery will generally be reduced based on your share of fault.
  • Proving Your Injury: Because whiplash rarely appears on standard imaging, medical records, treatment history, and provider documentation carry significant weight in these claims.

An experienced attorney can investigate these issues and identify every available source of compensation.

How We Build Whiplash Injury Claims

Whiplash claims require careful documentation, credible medical evidence, and a clear presentation of how the injury has affected your life.

  • Step 1: Learn About Your Accident We begin by reviewing how the collision occurred, identifying the parties involved, and explaining your legal options during a free case evaluation.
  • Step 2: Document Your Medical Treatment Emergency records, physician notes, physical therapy records, and imaging results can play an important role in a whiplash claim. We work to compile this documentation and connect it clearly to the accident.
  • Step 3: Identify Every Available Insurance Policy Our team reviews all potentially applicable coverage, including the at-fault driver’s policy, your own first-party medical benefits, and any other applicable insurance.
  • Step 4: Handle Insurance Communications Insurers frequently minimize soft tissue injuries. We manage communications and negotiations on your behalf while protecting your interests throughout the claims process.
  • Step 5: Pursue Full Compensation We seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, future medical care, pain and suffering, and other losses through settlement negotiations or litigation when appropriate.
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Types of Whiplash Injury Cases We Handle

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Our firm represents clients who suffered whiplash and related injuries in a variety of accidents, including:

  • Rear-end collisions
  • Intersection and T-bone crashes
  • Rideshare, bus, and commercial vehicle accidents
  • Chain-reaction and multi-vehicle pileups
  • Whiplash with cervical strain, sprain, or disc injuries
  • Whiplash accompanied by concussion symptoms
  • Injuries that worsened or failed to resolve with treatment
  • Claims disputed or undervalued by insurance companies

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Why Choose Us For Whiplash Injury Cases

Whiplash cases can present unique legal challenges, particularly when insurers question injuries that do not appear on imaging.

Whether your symptoms resolve after months of treatment or continue to affect your daily life, our attorneys can evaluate your claim, explain your legal options, and help determine who may be responsible for your injuries.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., we have spent decades advocating for injury victims throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We are committed to protecting your rights, handling the complexities of your claim, and pursuing the full compensation you deserve.

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“

Eve, Gary and everyone else were fantastic. They helped me through the entire process. I wouldn't wish a work injury on anyone but if anyone needs representation, Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky is the place to go.

- J. S.
“

The best firm in the city, and I'm not just saying that because of my name! Their level of legal knowledge here is unparalleled. Whether it's a personal injury or medical malpractice case, this firm is equipped to handle even the most complex matters. Their track record truly speaks for itself!

- B. O.
“

This Law Firm has a very unique way of handling your case. They strive to maximize your settlement, and I appreciate their hard work and professionalism.

- T. B.
“

Best law firm, ever! I cannot say enough great things about Jon Perkosky. He is very passionate about what he does, and is a fabulous attorney. He's the best! He will fight, and fight hard.

- B. P.
“

We would highly recommend John Perkosky. He worked very hard for us, as did all at the firm. Working with John, Mike, and Michelle was a pleasure.

- G. M.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Whiplash Injury Claims

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The value depends on the severity of your injury, the length and cost of treatment, time missed from work, and how the injury affects your daily life. Claims involving lasting symptoms or disc involvement are generally worth more than those that resolve quickly.

Insurers often argue that neck or back pain stems from prior injuries, arthritis, or degenerative changes rather than the crash itself. Medical records from before the accident, combined with documentation showing your symptoms began or worsened after the collision, can help establish that the crash caused or aggravated your condition. An attorney can help gather this evidence and respond to these arguments.

Yes. Delayed symptoms are common with whiplash. Seeking medical care as soon as symptoms appear helps protect both your health and your claim.

Possibly. Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705, limited tort policyholders can recover pain and suffering damages if they sustained a serious injury or another exception applies. An attorney can evaluate whether your injury qualifies.

Minimal vehicle damage does not mean minimal injury. Medical documentation, treatment records, and credible testimony about your symptoms matter more than photographs of a bumper.

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, Pennsylvania generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

We handle whiplash injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront attorney fees, and you owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Contact Our Pittsburgh Personal Injury Attorneys After a Whiplash Injury

Whiplash claims are often disputed, delayed, and undervalued, but you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Our attorneys can investigate your case, document the full extent of your injuries, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today at (412) 471-8500 for a free case evaluation, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (412) 471-8500 today for a free case evaluation.

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    The results obtained in any particular case depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of that case. Past verdicts and settlements do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in future cases.

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