Car accidents are some of the most common causes of whiplash, specifically rear-end collisions. Though these injuries are often considered minor, in reality, they can result in severe pain and even long-term complications if not treated properly.
As such, it is crucial that whiplash car accident settlements provide victims with the compensation they need and deserve to help cover their accident-related medical expenses. Whiplash injury compensation can also cover additional damages a victim may suffer, such as emotional distress, physical pain & suffering, property damage, and more.
If you need help with your whiplash car accident claim, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys at McCoy & Sparks can assist you. We can help you navigate your claim, handle negotiations on your behalf, and ensure you are awarded the full whiplash injury compensation you deserve.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a standard term for a neck injury, but it specifically refers to the neck being injured due to rapid back-and-forth movement. This movement is said to resemble the snapping of a whip, hence the term “whiplash.”
There are many situations where a person can sustain a whiplash injury. Whiplash is very common in those who play sports, for example, especially contact sports. However, the most common causes are car accidents.
The way that the force of an impact travels through the body during a collision often causes the body, especially the neck, to shake or whip back and forth. This movement results in an overextension of the muscles, discs, tendons, and nerves in the neck, which results in whiplash.
Whiplash Injury Symptoms
It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of whiplash, as delaying treatment can make the injury worse and result in long-term pain and complications. These symptoms may show up right away, or they can take a couple of days to appear.
Common whiplash injury symptoms include:
- Pain in the neck
- Neck stiffness
- Limited mobility or range of motion in the neck
- Pain that worsens when you move the neck
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insomnia
The Dangers of Whiplash Injuries
One of the biggest issues and dangers of whiplash injuries is that people often dismiss them as being minor, which means symptoms are often ignored, and they don’t seek treatment. However, whiplash that is left untreated could get worse, resulting in long-term compilations and chronic pain that can affect your quality of life.
For this same reason, whiplash car accident cases can also be more difficult to prove. Many insurance companies will undervalue whiplash injury claims, assuming that it is a minor injury that is not worth very much. However, victims could end up requiring expensive medical treatments and even long-term rehab to treat their whiplash. But if their claim is undervalued, they might not recover enough compensation to cover these costs.
This is why it is often necessary to work with a personal injury attorney when seeking whiplash injury compensation. An attorney can help you provide as much evidence as possible to prove the extent of your injury and your pain & suffering. They can also handle negotiations with insurance companies to ensure they offer a high-value settlement.
Average Settlement for Whiplash Injury Compensation
The average settlement for a whiplash injury will depend on many factors, including the damages you have suffered and are awarded compensation for. These various types of compensation or damages include:
- The cost of medical treatments
- Future medical expenses
- Wages or income lost while recovering from the injury
- Loss of future earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to work in the future
- The amount of physical pain & suffering you experience
- Emotional distress as a result of the accident and your injuries
- Cost of property damage repairs
- Certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
Though you may be able to get an idea of an average settlement for whiplash based on previous cases similar to yours, every case is unique. Generally, whiplash injury compensation can range from $2,500 up to $100,000, but in some cases, it can reach the millions if the injury is severe and life-altering.
Overall, the more proof you have of how the injury has affected your life, the more likely you are to be awarded a fair settlement. Some steps you can take to improve your chances of a higher whiplash injury settlement include:
- Getting checked out by a doctor as soon as possible
- Keeping copies of all medical records and documentation relating to the treatment of your injuries
- Following your doctor’s car plan
- Documenting how the injury affects your day-to-day life using a pain journal
- Taking pictures or videos of the accident scene
- Gathering witness statements
- Consulting with a personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance companies
Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky
If you want to get the whiplash injury compensation you need and deserve to help cover your accident-related costs and other damages, contact our team of personal injury attorneys today.
McCoy & Sparks has been recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms for over a decade. We represent thousands of clients in Central Kentucky with a focus on providing premium service.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our whiplash injury car accident attorneys today.