The most common symptoms of whiplash include pain and aching in the neck and back, numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, swelling in the neck, muscle spasms, and headache. Whiplash is typically confined to the spinal cord and the areas most commonly affected by whiplash are the neck and the mid-back section of the spine. Symptoms of whiplash occasionally appear immediately following the accident, but most often take days to develop, which is why is it imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident. Generally, the sooner after the injury that symptoms develop, the greater the risk of serious damage. Furthermore, if the injury takes a long period to time to develop, it may be difficult to connect the injury to the accident when it comes to filing an insurance claim or lawsuit, which is why it is important to have your injury diagnosis and medical treatment on record.
Although the treatment of whiplash will likely vary depending on the circumstances of the injury, a physician will likely prescribe a combination of the following treatment for whiplash victims:
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Most people recover from a whiplash injury within a few months, but others may suffer from chronic pain relating to the injury for a year or more. According to research, there is a 40% chance of experiencing symptoms three months after the accident and an 18% chance after two years. Those individuals whose suffering extends over a long period of time will likely require long-term medical treatment, resulting in costly medical bills. Furthermore, because of the pain and complications associated with the injury, the victim’s quality of life may be significantly decreased.
Most people involved in an accident immediately contact their insurance company in order to file a claim. Individuals who are seriously injured may be unable to return to work, leaving them without a source of income during their recovery period. On top of that, whiplash victims will be faced with medical bills that may be overwhelming, and are counting on their insurance company for financial help. Unfortunately, some insurance companies will quickly reject these claims. In fact, many insurance claims adjusters are actually trained to deny personal injury claims or to offer a settlement far below what the victim is entitled to, in order to pay out the lowest possible amount in damages. In some cases, the insurance company may drag out the claim over time, hoping that the victim will simply give up. This leaves victims emotionally, physically and now financially compromised. The only way to fight a rejected insurance claim is to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Accident attorneys are extremely qualified in personal injury litigation and can help accident victims receive reimbursement for their injuries and medical expenses. If you or a loved one has suffered from whiplash as a result of an accident, you are not at fault. Too often, accident victims are taken advantage of by insurance companies, but an accident lawyer will stand up for your rights and help you develop a successful case. Whiplash is a serious injury which can result in significant pain and suffering, and an accident attorney can help accident victims collect the compensation they deserve.
