Whiplash
Millions of people every year are injured in car accidents. In 2017, there were 7,555 injuries caused by car accidents in Polk County. One of the more common accident-related injuries is whiplash. Victims are often left in pain, unable to work, and with stacks of medical bills. However, you may not need to struggle. A personal injury claim could get you money for your accident.
Here at Abercrombie, P.A., we know what it takes to file a successful personal injury claim. Our firm seeks to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions.
What is Whiplash?
When your neck moves back and forth quickly, your muscles can’t handle the force. The result is whiplash, one of the most common car accident injuries. Your neck tendons and ligament can stretch or tear.
This injury most frequently happens during rear-end car accidents but can happen in many other ways. Other collisions can cause whiplash, as can other types of personal injury accidents. Any accident that causes rapid neck movement can cause whiplash.
The Symptoms
Typically, the symptoms of whiplash appear within 24 hours of an accident. But this isn’t always true. In some cases, it could take days for you to experience any symptoms.
Those symptoms vary depending on many factors. Some of the more common ones are:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Pain or stiffness in the neck
- Dizziness
- Headaches that begin in the base of the skull
- Trouble remembering
- Chronic pain in the neck or shoulder
- Blurry vision
- Ringing sound in the ears
In most cases, the symptoms are temporary. But there are people who have chronic issues caused by their injury.
How to Diagnose the Injury
The first step to diagnosing whiplash is to seek medical attention. However, you should do so even if you don’t have any symptoms. Anyone involved in an accident should immediately see a doctor. They may be able to find an underlying condition.
If you do have the symptoms of whiplash, be sure to let the doctor know. They will perform a physical exam and test your range of motion. Then, they may opt for an MRI, CT scan, or other tests. They can determine the exact problem and give you a diagnosis.
Personal Injury Claims and Whiplash
If whiplash was caused by an accident in which another party was negligent, you can seek compensation. But the process isn’t easy. To improve your chances of a good outcome, you should consider working with an attorney. You should also try the following tips:
1. See Your Doctor Immediately
The sooner you see the doctor, the better your chances at a successful claim. Don’t wait for the pain to be unbearable. Instead, you should make note of the slightest pain and contact your doctor.
Your doctor will create records that support your claim. By showing urgency, you tell insurance adjusters or the court that the injury was significant.
2. File Your Claim Quickly
There is a statute of limitations on personal injury claims. In Florida, you only have four years to make your claim. Other states have different deadlines. If you file after the deadline, you lose your chance at compensation.
Insurance companies have even shorter deadlines. You don’t have much time to report your injuries. Whether you’re working with an insurance company or filing a lawsuit, filing quickly is in your best interest.
3. Write Down Everything
You should record everything involved in your accident. For instance, keep track of your lost wages, medical bills, medication costs, and other accident-related expenses. Save your receipts and make a spreadsheet.
You should also write down other details, like injury symptoms. It’s likely that your whiplash will affect your life in many ways. Keep track of those ways, and you may receive money for your struggles.
4. Choose the Right Attorney
When it comes to personal injury claims, not all lawyers are the same. Cases that involve whiplash can be particularly challenging. You should work with a lawyer who has experience representing victims with whiplash.
Be sure to work with an attorney who specializes in personal injury claims of your type. Additionally, take the time to speak with the lawyer. You should feel comfortable working together.
Getting the Help You Deserve
Abercrombie, P.A. understands how difficult life can be after an accident. Your injury could leave you in serious pain. While we can’t make that pain go away, we can help you achieve justice. Contact our firm today and we can work together to get you what you deserve. We may be able to get you the money you need to recover.