WGK Personal Injury Lawyers | January 30, 2026 | Car Accidents
If you’ve been in a car accident in Maryland and are experiencing neck pain, headaches, stiffness, or other symptoms, you may be dealing with a whiplash injury. Although often misunderstood or dismissed as “minor,” whiplash can cause significant pain, long-term complications, and financial burdens.
Understanding how whiplash claims work in Maryland—including legal deadlines, evidence requirements, and compensation possibilities—can make a critical difference in protecting your rights after an accident.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a type of soft-tissue injury that affects the neck. It usually occurs when your head is suddenly jerked forward and backward, such as in a rear-end car collision. This rapid motion can strain muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues in the neck, leading to pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
In some cases, symptoms may not appear until hours or even days after the crash, which can make early diagnosis and documentation essential.
Why Timely Medical Attention Matters
Getting medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident is essential for both your health and your potential injury claim.
Prompt care helps in several key ways:
- Ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment by identifying injuries before they worsen or become chronic
- Creates an official medical record that clearly links your injuries to the accident
- Documents symptoms early, which is especially important for whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries that may not appear on X-rays
- Helps counter insurance company tactics aimed at downplaying or questioning the seriousness of your injuries
By seeking timely medical attention and following your treatment plan, you not only protect your well-being but also strengthen the foundation of any whiplash claim you may pursue.
Maryland’s Statute of Limitations for Whiplash Claims
In Maryland, the law generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, which includes whiplash claims. If you miss this deadline, known as the statute of limitations, you typically lose your right to seek compensation—even if your case has merit.
Proving Fault under Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Rule
Maryland follows one of the strictest fault standards in the country: contributory negligence. This means that if you are found even 1% at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. That’s a higher burden than in most states and makes demonstrating the other party’s full liability particularly important.
What Compensation Is Available
If your whiplash claim is successful, you may be able to recover different types of damages:
- Medical expenses—including emergency care, doctor visits, physical therapy, and future treatment needs.
- Lost wages—if your injury prevented you from working.
- Pain and suffering—compensation for physical discomfort and emotional distress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life—if your injury affects your ability to engage in everyday activities.
While many whiplash settlements in Maryland fall in the lower tens of thousands of dollars, more severe and well-documented cases can result in significantly higher compensation, especially if the injury leads to chronic pain or long-term limitations.
Common Challenges in Whiplash Claims
Insurance companies frequently dispute whiplash claims because the injury often lacks visible signs and may be subjective in terms of severity.
They may attempt to:
- Downplay your injury,
- Argue that your symptoms are unrelated to the accident,
- Offer lowball settlement amounts before you fully understand your long-term needs, or
- Request examinations with doctors of their choosing who may minimize your condition.
Having legal representation can help prevent these tactics from costing you the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Baltimore Personal Injury Attorneys at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Whiplash may be a common injury, but its effects can be serious, long-lasting, and expensive. Knowing how whiplash claims work in Maryland—from the importance of prompt medical care to strict filing deadlines and complex fault rules—is critical to protecting your rights after an accident.
If your whiplash injury was caused by someone else’s negligence in Baltimore, MD, you shouldn’t have to navigate the legal process alone. Contact WGK Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how an experienced Baltimore personal injury lawyer can fight for the compensation you deserve.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
By appointment only
(410) 970-3080
