Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden movement of the head. It is a serious injury that can take months or even years to heal. It impacts the neck, head, and spine and can therefore have massive implications for the way someone lives their life.
Most people have heard of whiplash, but many do not realize how serious it can be. Some people are left with long-term pain and restricted mobility, leaving them with extensive medical bills and lost wages.
If this sounds like you, then you shouldn’t have to suffer alone. Contact The Law Place today for a free consultation. We will help you understand your legal rights, and depending on the circumstances of your case, we may be able to help you to pursue compensation.
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444.
Check if You Have Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury following a car accident. Common whiplash symptoms include:
- Neck pain.
- Headaches.
- Neck stiffness and reduced range of motion in your head, neck, and shoulders.
- Pain and muscle spasms in the shoulders and arms.
- Numbness.
- Significant pain in the neck, back, or shoulders.
You may not feel the effects of whiplash right away, and often it can take several hours before symptoms start, especially after a car accident where adrenaline is running high.
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Always Seek Medical Attention!
If you haven’t already sought medical attention after an accident and are beginning to experience pain, then you should seek medical attention right away. This is important for claiming compensation, as it helps prove a direct correlation between the accident and your injury. But more importantly, by following medical advice, you avoid making your condition worse.
In order to claim compensation, you need to have sought medical attention within 14 days of the accident, as per Florida Statute 627.736. But the sooner, the better, as you can protect your health, and your case will be more likely to succeed.
If you notice any of these symptoms of whiplash, then you must seek medical attention immediately:
- Severe pain despite taking painkillers.
- Difficulty walking or sitting upright.
- Tingling or pins and needles.
- Week feeling arms or legs.
- Sudden electric shock type feeling anywhere in your body.
Keep Records of Your Injuries
In order to claim compensation, it can help to keep a comprehensive record of anything related to your injury. Things such as:
- Pain and discomfort.
- Any adjustments you have had to make because of your injury.
- If your injury has prevented you from doing anything.
- Any lost income.
- Any medical bills, including diagnostic services, X-rays, and medication.
- Photographs of injuries after the accident as well as over time.
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Why Does Whiplash Occur in a Side-Impact Car Accident?
Side-impact car accidents frequently cause whiplash, as when a vehicle collides with the side of a car, drivers and passengers are often jerked quickly to one side and then back again.
Usually, the more severe the impact, the more severe the whiplash will be.
Unfortunately, side-impact collisions are common, and it is almost always the vehicle that ran into the side of another who is to blame. These accidents tend to occur because the driver was:
- Running a red light at an intersection.
- Speeding.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Running stop signs.
- Falling asleep at the wheel.
- Weaving in and out of traffic.
- Driving recklessly or dangerously.
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What Compensation Could I Receive for Whiplash Injuries?
Neck injuries can quickly become very expensive. A whiplash injury can cause chronic pain can also seriously impact the way someone lives their life. This makes seeking damages integral.
You may also be able to seek some compensation from our own insurance company. However, you should always seek advice from a lawyer first, so you know what your rights are. Insurance adjusters are always hoping to pay out as little as possible in compensation, so it is important that you do not say anything that might harm your case.
- Lost wages – Depending on the type of work you do and the severity of your whiplash, you may have to miss work or even change careers completely. You should be compensated for lost wages, loss of earning potential, and the cost of re-training if necessary.
- Medical bills – All medical bills, including those you have already incurred and future medical expenses, should be accounted for. This could include ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Property damage – Any damage to your car or belongings should be reimbursed.
- Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering damages are designed to compensate you for your emotional suffering as a result of your whiplash injury. If you are in severe pain or can no longer participate in activities you once enjoyed, then all of this should be accounted for. These types of damages are highly subjective, but an attorney will help you gain maximum compensation.
- Punitive damages – Punitive damages are only awarded in some car accident cases. They are awarded by the judge as a way to punish the defendant. When rear-end vehicle collisions are caused by things such as driving under the influence, then punitive damages may be awarded.
Contact The Law Place
Following a whiplash injury as a result of an auto accident, you should seek help from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you get legal help, the best chance you will have at building a strong case that ends in a high amount of compensation.
Nobody should suffer alone, and following the trauma of a side-impact collision, you should not have to deal with the stress of a legal battle. It can feel like an intimidating step, but our attorneys at The Law Place have over 75 years of combined experience in dealing with car accident cases in Florida. We will treat your situation with care and respect and take some of the stress away from you.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning our fee is deducted from your settlement only if we are successful. That way, you won’t end up with unforeseen legal bills.
Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation at (941) 444-4444. Our lines are open 24/7.
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