What is Whiplash?
Neck and spinal cord injuries from a car accident need proper and timely care to give the victim the best chance of a full recovery. While some consider whiplash to be a minor injury, the long-term effects of whiplash can leave the car accident victim in chronic pain long after the accident occurred. Whiplash is caused by the sudden hyper-extension and hyper flexion of the neck, resulting in the painful displacement of vertebrae, nerves and tissue. While whiplash is associated with motor vehicle accidents, the neck can hyper-extend in sports, falls and other activities.
How do I treat Whiplash?
For minor neck injuries, chiropractic adjustments may be all that it is needed to properly address the pain. However, serious car accidents may result in more traumatic injuries to the neck and spinal cord, potentially leading to permanent brain damage. What may appear to be a minor or moderate neck injury may leave the motor vehicle accident victim with significant brain damage. Severe whiplash injury can cause brain damage as nerves connected to the brain may be damaged during the accident. If neck or spinal cord trauma is suspected, emergency medical services are responsible for safe transportation to the receiving medical facility where further treatment will begin. Proper communication of pain or loss of motor function during any part of treatment is vital to keep the patient safe.
What is my Whiplash Case Worth?
As with any automobile accident case, the worth of the claim is dependent on the following factors: Loss of Income, Medical Expenses and General Damages. In whiplash injury claims, the damages for pain and suffering following the accident may be the largest portion of the claim. Depending on the severity of the injury, medical expenses can contribute dramatically. In the case of a traumatic brain injury, all three factors weigh heavily as future income is diminished greatly.
How do I find an Experienced Car Accident Attorney?
As whiplash injuries are serious, long-lasting injuries, finding a top notch car accident attorney to represent can be the most important step in securing the maximum compensation for injuries sustained in an automobile accident. The number of clients represented, the settlements recovered and industry recognition are all important factors to consider when hiring a motor vehicle accident attorney. Perhaps the most important is how much you as the client can trust him or her. An experienced automobile attorney is there to protect the rights of his or her client and recover the maximum compensation for the victim’s injuries.
