You May Be Entitled to Whiplash Injury Compensation After a Crash

The highways and byways of the United States are witness to more than 5.8 million car crashes annually. Approximately 1 out of these 3 accidents result in personal injury. One of the most common types of injury is soft tissue damage. The major type of soft tissue damage is whiplash.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is the common term for soft tissue (fascia) damage of the neck and area. Soft tissues are muscles, ligaments, discs, nerves and even blood vessels. Damage occurs because of an acceleration-deceleration motion. The head whips forward then back. When the fascia are damaged, the individual may have headaches, stiffness of the affected areas – including shoulders, neck and jaw, numbness and soreness. Whiplash may also produce visual problems, tinnitus (a ringing in the ears) and fatigue. The individual may also suffer from non-medical problems that can severely impinge on the ability to lead a healthy and stable life. Stress, insomnia, depression and anxiety are such non-physical by-products of whiplash.

While these medical conditions can result in chronic pain, it is not always noticeable right after the accident. The pain may not appear until a couple of days have passed. As a result, a doctor or medical professional may not discover it. Moreover, he or she may give you pain medication to effectively mask any possible issues after a car crash.

What To Do

If the whiplash does negatively affect your life, you may be entitled to compensation. In order to claim it, you will need to prove the whiplash injury was the result of the crash. You will also have to compile medical evidence to support your claim of physical damage. Make sure you keep medical records and have testimony from your medical professional. Consider utilizing not only your own doctor’s observation, but consulting an authority in the condition. You may also require an expert to help you file and win your claim.

Do You Need A Lawyer?

Insurance companies are not known for immediacy in providing its clients with their settlements unless it is in their favor to do so. You may be entitled to collect for the pain, suffering and lost income derived from whiplash injury in the crash. This does not mean the company will agree. If you think there is a possibility the provider will reject your claim or reduce it, talk to a skilled lawyer. He or she can guide you through the process of claiming what is rightfully yours.