As experienced car accident attorneys practicing in Alabama, we know car accidents often result in injuries. These wounds range from minor to severe, and a whiplash injury is often considered minor. However, if left untreated, a whiplash injury can lead to spinal complications and other adverse health conditions.
This is why we advise crash victims to get medical treatment even if they feel they did not suffer any injury. It would also help their negotiations with insurance companies during the claims process. Our personal injury lawyers at Mike Bell Injury Law Firm can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.
WHAT IS A WHIPLASH INJURY?
According to the Mayo Clinic, a whiplash injury occurs in the neck region. It is a result of a forceful and rapid back and forth movement typical in rear-end collisions. It is called whiplash because when the injury occurs, it sounds like the cracking of a whip.
If detected on time, whiplash injury lasts for days or weeks, and the victim recovers fully. However, because it is a soft tissue injury, the symptoms might take days or longer to appear. If you’ve been in a car accident, you can know you have a whiplash injury if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Tingling or numbness in the arm
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Chronic pain with neck movement
- Headaches at the base of the skull
Whiplash injury can also affect neurological functions. For the latter, the symptoms include blurred vision, memory problems, depression, etc. You should see a doctor immediately after any of these signs appear and get treatment.
WHAT ARE THE DAMAGES YOU CAN GET FOR A WHIPLASH INJURY?
While minor whiplash would go way with pain relievers and wearing a neck brace, a severe one requires more than that. Not only will it last months or years, but severe whiplash injury would also require months of therapy and other medical equipment. For this reason, the compensation amount varies from person to person.
Our Alabama auto accident lawyers would consider the severity of your whiplash injury to get you fair compensation. This way, you will not be bullied or shortchanged by the fault driver’s insurance carrier. If the case goes to trial, your lawyer would ask the court to consider the severity of your wound.
The compensation you will get for a whiplash injury would cover both economic and non-economic damages. It would include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
The last two are not easy to calculate because there is no fixed dollar sum attached to them. Insurance companies have a method of calculating non-economic damages. Find out what they are from our personal injury lawyers.
WHAT IS A WHIPLASH INJURY SETTLEMENT WORTH?
As already mentioned, the settlement amount varies from case to case. For a minor whiplash injury that heals within days, the compensation would be between $2,500 and $10,000. If the pain extends to weeks, the settlement might get up to $30,000.
For more severe cases that last months or years, the victim can get up to $100 000 or more. It simply means that the duration of your pain determines how much you will receive as compensation. Chronic pain with complications equals more money, while less pain will get you less.
DOES MEDICAL EVIDENCE AFFECT WHIPLASH INJURY SETTLEMENT?
The answer to this question is yes. The first thing to note is that a whiplash injury claim is quite technical. Unlike other car accident injuries like broken bones, whiplash, being a soft tissue wound does not appear on X-ray machines.
The only way for a medical professional to determine you’re suffering a whiplash injury is by examining you thoroughly. Thus, you must keep records of all your hospital visits and treatment plan. Include prescribed pain meds and, if you wore a neck brace, for how long.
Also, add hospital bills from each visit, and hand the information over to your whiplash injury attorney. The lawyer would use the evidence to prove that you indeed had a whiplash injury and deserve to be compensated. Following your treatment plan to the letter would also help your case.
GET MIKE BELL INJURY LAW FIRM INVOLVED!
Although many people still do not realize this, the presence of an attorney strengthens settlement offers. We can be at the forefront of your whiplash injury claims process if you let us. Our car accident lawyers will ensure they prove your case and get you the money you deserve. Start the process today by scheduling a free consultation with us.
