Whiplash Victims: How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help | Johnston Martineau Law
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 200,000 cases of whiplash occur each year in drivers that have experienced traumatic movement during automobile accidents. Whiplash occurs because of vicious forward and backward motions of the neck at the time of impact. If you have been involved in an automobile accident, you may develop whiplash immediately or sometime after due to trauma. If the accident was not your fault, you can hire a personal injury attorney like the Personal Injury Lawyer locals trust to help you pursue compensation from those responsible.
Symptoms of Whiplash
It’s in your best interest to see a doctor so that you can have the whiplash diagnosed and treated. In addition, a medical professional can provide you with the documented proof that you need when you file a claim or lawsuit. The most common symptom of whiplash is a pain in the neck, shoulders, back and arms. Other symptoms that may manifest include headaches, vertigo, dizziness, sleep problems, and nerve issues.
The Dangers of Whiplash
The problem with whiplash is that it can severely hinder the quality of your life. It can put you out of work and cause you to rely on your spouse, friends, and family members to help you complete simple tasks. Additionally, you may have to pay for medication, doctors visits, physical therapy, and the like. A settlement can get you the funds that you need to cover all of those expenses.
You May Be Entitled to a Settlement
If someone acts negligently toward you and it results in a serious injury, you may be qualified to receive a personal injury settlement from that person or their insurance company. Negligence comes in many forms in automobile accidents. The other driver could have been speeding, turning improperly, texting or talking on the phone. He or she could have blatantly disregarded traffic laws.
If the other driver was especially neglectful, a judge may order that person to pay punitive damages. It’s extra money that is meant to punish the other person or deter that person from making additional errors that cause accidents to occur.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Assist You
A personal injury attorney can help you in many ways.
- He or she can assist you by assessing your case and determining whether or not you have a valid personal injury.
- Your personal injury attorney can negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the at-fault party. Many guilty parties agree to out-of-court settlements because they want to avoid media attention or exposure.
- If an out-of-court settlement isn’t possible, your attorney can take the case in front of a judge in a lawsuit.
The settlement amount depends on what your attorney requests, and that depends on your accident costs and the level of proof that you can provide about your injury. Additionally, your level of fault in the matter may affect the final settlement amount.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
Speak with a personal injury lawyer today about your whiplash. He or she may be able to provide you with contingency representation to alleviate some of the stress involved with waiting for a lawsuit. Contingency representation is an arrangement that allows you to delay the payment of retainer fees until after you get your settlement. You have nothing to lose by contacting an attorney today and requesting a free case evaluation.
