Whiplash can be a very serious neck injury. The neck is hyperextended, the muscles are sometimes torn or stretched. It can result in nerve damage. In very severe cases, the spine can be permanently damaged. In most cases, whiplash is the result of a car accident. The victim is driving when suddenly his car is struck from behind, causing his head to snap in the direction of the body’s momentum. What actually happens in this scenario is that the body is unexpectedly pushed forward, the head hangs back, and then “whips” forward in an effort to catch up with the body. Although this is the most common occurrence, it is certainly not the only one. Whiplash victims are sometimes pedestrians who are hit by cars. Other whiplash injuries include, but are not limited to, falling from a horse, motorcycle, or bicycle. Symptoms typically range from a stiff neck or back muscles to headaches or sometimes much worse. Because symptoms vary in severity and sometimes don’t appear right away, whiplash is an injury that should be taken very seriously. Appropriate medical attention should be sought and consideration should be given to filing a whiplash injury claim.
Here are the do’s and don’ts to file your whiplash injury claim:
Do: Seek medical help immediately. Very often, the symptoms of whiplash are not felt right away. Many times the victim is “caught” in the emotional maelstrom of the accident and is not aware of any discomfort. Other times, there is simply a gradual intensification of pain. In any case, the full details of the injuries must be reported and documented by a doctor.
Yes: Plan and keep regular visits to your doctor or caregiver’s office. When it comes to whiplash, new or developing symptoms often arise. They must also be treated and documented.
Do: Hire or consult with a personal injury attorney or whiplash injury attorney. Insurance companies have a lot of “fine print” that you need to be aware of. There are special provisions and terms that should be reviewed and fully understood. A top-notch, experienced attorney can help you recover any out-of-pocket expenses you may have incurred, such as cars or medical costs.
Not: delay. Too often, whiplash victims put off treatment. This is not very smart for 2 reasons:
Nearly 50% of whiplash victims report new symptoms two years after the date of the accident. Whiplash symptoms can grow gradually. Delaying treatment will often cause existing milder symptoms to become more painful and new symptoms to develop.
If whiplash-related injuries are not fully reported and documented, it is much more difficult to obtain full compensation from the insurance company.
Don’t: Rely solely on X-rays to find whiplash injuries. Soft tissue damage does not appear. A full examination should be performed and the victim’s medical history should be taken into account.
Do not accept the first insurance offer if you agree to settle. They will lower you, for sure. Do your due diligence. find out what the pay averages are. Talk to other whiplash victims. Choose your lawyer’s brain.
Minor may be the accident, the whiplash is not…
