Whiplash can be quite dangerous if experienced in an accident. Unfortunately, many people don’t get treatment for this injury or don’t know they have it until their back, neck, or head discomfort worsens. Taking appropriate action for whiplash after an accident is crucial since you might already have problems that may worsen over time.
Knowing what to do regarding medical and legal action is essential for responding to a whiplash injury effectively. To avoid paying for medical expenses out of pocket, you can also try to recover your financial losses. The average settlement payout for a whiplash injury is between $10,000 and $20,000. However, if you hire an attorney, you may receive a higher settlement depending on the severity of your condition. This article outlines the necessary medical and legal actions to take in whiplash injury due to car accidents.
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Although whiplash is frequently linked to auto accidents, neck pain can result from any blow or impact that causes your head to jolt forward or backward. However, you must seek medical attention when involved in a car accident. The common symptoms of whiplash are:
The most crucial step is to treat your whiplash as a serious medical illness. People who suffer whiplash frequently experience little to no pain despite having serious wounds. You should visit a doctor or emergency department if you feel slight neck, back, head, or jaw discomfort. Make an appointment to consult a doctor the following day if you don’t immediately experience pain. It’s likely you’ll experience stiffness and pain later that you didn’t experience initially.
Rest is crucial to ensure faster recovery. It is therefore advisable to avoid movement or activity. You can consider physical therapies that involve stretching exercises to gradually and securely improve achy neck muscles. Alternative therapies such as massage or chiropractic procedures can also be quite helpful. Hiring a lawyer can significantly reduce your workload as they would be responsible for filing compensation and negotiating settlements.
Your insurance claim would differ based on the cause of your injury. If you sustained a whiplash injury at the workplace while delivering your work duties, you would be entitled to workers’ compensation. To claim compensation, you must inform your employer before seeking medical attention. Keep a record of all medical records as they would be required to verify a compensation claim. Whiplash can also be sustained when involved in a car accident, in which case, your claim would fall under a motor vehicle accident. You must inform your insurance company to file for compensation, gather all necessary evidence and keep a record of your medical documents.
If whiplash is sustained due to another person’s negligence, you would require the services of a personal injury lawyer. Individuals can ensure they receive the full compensation by hiring a lawyer to assist them in filing a compensation claim. Seeking legal guidance is especially wise if your injury claim is rejected. It is better to avoid dealing with insurance companies alone because they have an incentive to attempt and convince you to accept the smallest amount of compensation for an injury and forgo your legal rights. In addition to determining who was at fault for the accident, a lawyer is also capable of compiling a persuasive body of documentation.
Whiplash injuries can be serious and call for prolonged care in the days following your accident. Particularly, if your whiplash makes it difficult to work, these treatments can get rather expensive. However, if you claim after your accident, your insurance and the insurer of the negligent person may be able to reimburse you for medical expenses. Discuss your legal choices and rights with your whiplash injury attorneys for fair compensation.
