How Do I Make a Claim for Whiplash?

Being in a car accident is always stressful, but it is even worse when you are injured. Many victims of car accidents receive minor injuries including soft tissue damage in the neck. This is commonly known as “whiplash”. However, many people may wonder what specifically defines whiplash and how can they make an injury claim for it? This post will take a look at what whiplash is, its causes, treatments, and how someone may make a claim for it in a personal injury case.

What is Whiplash and What Causes It?

“Whiplash” is a term used to describe soft tissue damage of the neck that can result from an abrupt back and forth motion that is common in car accidents. When a person hits brakes hard or collides with an object such as another car, his body stops due to the seatbelt, but his head continues to fly forward due to inertia. After the heap “whips” forward, it then rapidly “whips” backward, which can strain and damage the muscles in the neck. It is likely you have seen whiplashes in movies and TV shows when actors are in auto collisions. In real life, whiplashes are also referred to as “neck strains” or a “cervical muscle strain”. These injuries can often be very painful and disruptive to your life.

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How Do I Treat Whiplash?

If you have recently been in a car accident, it is vital that you receive medical attention to ensure that you do not have any hidden underlying injuries. Many individuals suffer from soft tissue damage, such as whiplash, after an accident and are not aware of it because they are not immediately symptomatic. Just like when you work out, your muscles may not be sore right away, but you may have neck pain that comes on several days after the crash. Recovering from whiplash injuries generally takes anywhere from a few days to a few months depending on the severity of the injury. Chiropractic treatment and physical therapy are the most common forms of treatment to heal whiplash injuries.

The Claim Process

If you file a personal injury claim, your treating physicians will look for signs of whiplash to document. It is essential that all injuries you are claiming in your personal injury case are supported by medical records, so as to avoid insurance adjusters eyeing your injuries with suspicion. Moreover, we cannot emphasize how important it is that you start your claim process and treatment as soon as possible after being involved in an accident so that you may maximize your monetary compensation. The sooner you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, the more serious consideration you will receive from them. However, keep in mind that beginning the claims process does not necessarily mean that you will be receiving a settlement earlier. You must go through full treatment and understand the full extent of your injuries before you can demand compensation for all of the damages you have suffered from the accident.

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Contact Van Law Firm

If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a car accident and has received whiplash or if you think you may have suffered from whiplash injuries, please contact Van Law Firm. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys can assist you with receiving proper medical attention and recovering full monetary compensation for your car accident. Call our office nearest to you today to schedule a free consultation and case review.