Whiplash Injuries From Car Accidents
What is whiplash? It is what occurs when the head and neck are snapped back and forth rapidly, similar to the action of cracking a whip. Injuries happen to the neck and can cause mild or severe issues. Symptoms typically present a couple of days post-injury. They can include pain and stiffness in the neck, headaches, pain in the shoulders and upper back, dizziness, fatigue, or tingling in the arms. Some whiplash victims have also reported blurred vision or ringing in the ears.
One of the leading causes of whiplash is car accidents. When you are rear-ended, your head and neck can snap back and forth, leading to whiplash. Playing sports, physical abuse or assault, or injuries from a fall can also lead to whiplash.
What is a Typical Whiplash Settlement Amount?
The amount of a whiplash settlement will vary based on each case. It is nearly impossible to estimate what all cases are worth, as each injury can provide different symptoms or needs for compensation.
In some cases, whiplash can result in months (or more) of treatment or therapy to recover. This would then result in a higher settlement if pursued well. Other factors that may increase the settlement amount are the factors that contributed to the accident. For example, if the other driver was found reckless or negligent, an experienced attorney can likely get more of a settlement based on these details. If you are unable to return to work temporarily or permanently, this can change the amount of compensation that you pursue as well.
What Can I Do to Ensure I Get Compensated Accurately?
The most crucial first step is to seek medical attention. Symptoms may take several days to present. Document what pain or discomfort you are experiencing, get an exam from a medical professional, and continue documenting what you are experiencing each day and what limitations you have as a result of the symptoms. For example, simple daily tasks like getting dressed are more complicated now, performing work duties as you had before the incident has become impossible, and more. The more thorough you are with your documentation, the better you are set up to make sure you are compensated accurately.
Another critical step that you can take is to work with an experienced and knowledgeable attorney. They are trained and have experience in these cases and can help you understand what to expect, what necessary steps to take to better your compensation, and more.
Why Would I Need an Attorney?
Just like with many injuries or accidents in life, we don’t know what we don’t know. Unless you have experienced whiplash several times before so you are knowledgeable in your experience with the symptoms and how to proceed, you are likely unsure what to expect. This may even lead to costly mistakes on your part that you are unaware you are making. That’s where an experienced attorney comes in. They can provide invaluable insight into what you can and should do, allowing you to focus on your healing while they focus on making sure you are compensated.
Contact our office to speak with one of our attorneys and determine your options.
