Whiplash is a painful neck injury that occurs after the neck has been violently moved back and forth. This is common after a car accident, particularly by impact in a rear-end crash. If you sustained a whiplash injury due to a negligent driver, you must take your injury seriously. You need to pursue a compensation claim with the insurer of the negligent driver.
You will know you have whiplash if you experience symptoms such as neck stiffness and pain, headaches, shoulder pain, dizziness, ear ringing, blurred vision, sleep issues, fatigue, arm numbness and tingling, and others. Unfortunately, it is not easy to prove whiplash despite the symptoms you may experience. Usually, you may not be sure whether or not to file a lawsuit for whiplash. Thus, you should get prompt medical attention first and seek the assistance of Philadelphia, PA car accident attorneys. After sustaining a whiplash injury in an accident, here’s what you should do:
See a Doctor Immediately
Before you do anything, you must visit a doctor as soon as possible to get a medical evaluation. Whether you feel any pain or nothing at all, you still have to go to a doctor. A lot of soft tissue injuries such as cervical strains and other injuries linked with whiplash are not noticeable immediately after a crash.
By seeing a doctor immediately after a car accident, you can identify and document the symptoms of whiplash that you may not notice yourself. If you file an accident claim, you will have medical records to support your claim.
Start the Claims Process Immediately
If you have medical documentation for whiplash, you should file a car accident claim as soon as possible. Pennsylvania permits liability claims for vehicle-related personal injuries. Thus, you should notify the at-fault driver’s insurer about your intent to file a claim. Or, get in touch with an attorney, so they can start the process for you. Starting the claims process early will ensure your claim will be taken seriously.
During your consultation with an attorney, they will advise you whether or not to it makes sense to pursue a claim based on the information you give them. Filing a lawsuit can increase your chances of reaching a fair settlement before trial. Often, negligent parties negotiate a settlement, so they can avoid the costs associated with court litigation. The amount of compensation you will get depends on the circumstances and facts of your case. Often, whiplash injuries can have you getting between $3, 000 to $10, 000. But you will get more for more serious whiplash.
