If you've been rear-ended in a car accident, you may have sustained an injury called whiplash. With 3 million people get diagnosed with whiplash year, this type of injury is very common. If you were not at fault in the accident, there is a good chance that you can file a personal injury claim.
Here are three things you should know if your whiplash is due to a car accident.
1. You Should Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
Cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome is the medical term for whiplash, which is also commonly known as a neck sprain or strain. This condition happens when the head and neck snaps forward and then quickly backward. Some of the most common symptoms associated with this type of injury include:
- Pain and stiffness in the neck
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Pain in the shoulders and upper back
Even if the pain is not severe, or you don't exhibit symptoms right away, it's still important to seek immediate medical attention. Getting a proper diagnosis is a way to get proof of your injury, which is necessary if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
2. You Should Make Your Personal Injury Claim As Soon as You Can
Once you've received a diagnosis of whiplash, you'll want to start the process of making your personal injury claim as soon as you can. Along with that, you'll also want to notify your car insurance as well as the car insurance of the other driver.
You should provide both insurance companies with information about your injuries and tell them that you are going to make a claim. The sooner you start the claim process, the sooner you'll get reimbursed for your medical expenses.
Medical treatment for serious cases of whiplash can cost up to $30,000. In order to win the suit, you'll need to make sure you will have carefully documented all of your medical expenses. Typically these expenses will include things like diagnostic testing, prescription costs, and physical therapy.
3. You Should Consider Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
If the car insurance companies are not cooperating, or the other driver did not have insurance, you should consider hiring a car accident lawyer to help you with your case. Besides getting reimbursed for medical expenses, you may also be able to recover damages for pain and suffering, along with loss of wages if your injury has kept you from being able to work.
For more information, contact a law office like McMenamin & McMenamin, PS.
