Can I Get Compensation For Whiplash in a Car Accident?

The amount of force unleashed on the human body in a car crash is thousands of pounds, even when moving at a relatively sedate 55 mph speed. When the human body hurdles forward inside a car in motion and comes to a sudden stop, the thousands of pounds of force throw them forward and back with a quick, snapping motion, similar to that of a whip. This sudden motion causes the muscles and tendons inside the neck to stretch and may also injure the vertebra protecting the spine. The hyperextension of the neck and the sudden back-and-forth snapping motion cause a variety of painful and debilitating symptoms and may even leave permanent injury.

Causes of Whiplash

Whiplash affects an average of 3 million people per year. About 1.5 million Americans suffer chronic pain due to a whiplash injury. Common causes of whiplash include:

• Car accidents (The number-one cause of whiplash in the U.S.)
• Contact sports
• Falls
• Assault or physical abuse

Whiplash varies in severity and can cause pain, stiffness, and other symptoms for a few days or for many months. Those at greater risk of serious whiplash injuries include elderly individuals, those who’ve previously suffered from whiplash injury, or those with pre-existing neck or spine conditions.

What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

Whiplash occurs in an instant, but the pain and stiffness of whiplash may increase in the hours and days after an accident. Symptoms include:

• Pain and stiffness in the neck
• Pain that worsens when moving the neck
• Limited range of motion
• Headaches in the back of the head
• Pain or soreness in the shoulder, upper back, or upper arms
• Numbness or tingling in the arms and hands

In the most severe cases, whiplash victims may also experience blurred vision, ringing in the ears, fatigue, and memory problems.

Compensation for Whiplash Injuries

Whiplash injuries can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and ability to work by causing pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. If you’ve experienced whiplash in a car accident that was the fault of another party, you can make a claim for compensation for damages such as:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical expenses if you require further treatment or physical therapy
• Lost income
• Future income loss
• Lowered earning capacity if the whiplash caused a temporary or permanent disability
• Pain and suffering

A car accident attorney can help whiplash victims recover full compensation for their economic and non-economic damages.

Determining Compensation After a Whiplash Injury

The amount of compensation you could receive from whiplash depends on the severity of the injury and its impact on your daily routine, employment, and finances. Personal injury attorneys calculate compensation by adding up medical expenses and considering the following:

• The severity of the injury
• The amount of time lost from work
• Expenses related to the injury
• The extent of damage to the vehicle and other evidence of the severity of the accident

When someone else causes an accident, and you suffer from painful and debilitating whiplash, the at-fault party is responsible for compensating you for damages. Get experienced representation for your whiplash injuries at Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann. Our skilled personal injury attorneys, located in Sarasota and Bradenton, are here to help you get the compensation you deserve to recover. Contact us today online or call ​​(941) 954-4000