The Mayo Clinic reports that over 3 million people in the United States sustain whiplash injuries each year. Roughly half of these individuals experience severe and chronic pain, necessitating medical treatment. Contrary to common perception, you don’t have to be involved in a catastrophic crash to suffer from whiplash. Even low-speed accidents can result in this type of injury.
If you have recently been in an accident and are experiencing discomfort around your neck, it’s crucial to consult a medical professional. Some injuries may take time to manifest, or you might underestimate their seriousness, leading to a delay in treatment that could exacerbate the situation. Our Katy whiplash lawyers maintain strong connections with medical experts who specialize in these injuries. In addition to helping you hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries and damages, our experienced injury attorneys can also facilitate access to skilled medical practitioners.
Whiplash is an injury characterized by a sudden snapping of the neck in a back-and-forth motion. Typically, every part of the human body has a range of motion within which it can move freely. Any excessive force that extends beyond these natural boundaries may lead to permanent damage to the spine.
Although most whiplash injuries are minor, severe cases can cause strains, tears, and damage to muscles, ligaments, and delicate tissues. Whiplash injuries are most common in rear-end car accidents but can also result from slip-and-fall incidents, workplace injuries, or other types of vehicular collisions.
Determining whether you have sustained a whiplash injury following an accident typically requires a medical evaluation. However, since whiplash injuries often don’t cause immediate concern for most people, many victims fail to seek medical attention until it’s too late. The symptoms of whiplash may not become apparent right away and can take up to 24 hours to fully manifest.
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
Even if these symptoms seem minor and unlikely to result in lasting harm, it’s essential to see a medical professional. Some injuries may only be detectable by trained medical practitioners. If you’re uncertain about which doctor to consult, our whiplash attorneys in Katy can recommend expert physicians familiar with these specific injuries.
When dealing with internal body injuries or broken bones, basic x-rays often clearly reveal the damage. However, whiplash injuries, which affect the soft tissues of the neck, are not usually as easily identifiable. This can lead to uncertainty about whether to pursue a personal injury claim.
The success of your claim often hinges on the preponderance of evidence demonstrating that you were injured due to negligence. If you can’t substantiate that you have suffered harm, filing a claim may become challenging. Our experienced attorneys can work closely with your physician to ensure that all findings related to your neck injury are meticulously documented, from your initial visit to the doctor’s office through the completion of your treatment. The more comprehensive evidence you have of your symptoms and injuries, the stronger your chances become of recovering compensation.
The value of a whiplash injury claim depends on several factors, with the severity of your injuries and the extent of your damages being two of the most significant considerations. For instance, if your injury resulted in only temporary pain, your settlement might range from $4,000 to $30,000, based on your medical expenses and the specific terms of the insurance policy. However, if the injury leads to permanent damage, such as herniated discs or lifelong medical treatment, your settlement might exceed $1 million, again depending on the available insurance coverage.
In general, your settlement may encompass the following damages:
Since these damages can vary widely from case to case and are critical in determining the value of your whiplash claim, it’s essential to discuss all your losses with your attorney before deciding to pursue a personal injury case.
The Katy whiplash lawyers at Lone Star Injury Attorneys are here to assist and guide you through your injury claim. Through our FREE consultations, we’ll help you understand your legal rights and provide an estimate of the compensation you may be entitled to. With our contingency fee policy, you don’t need to worry about upfront costs for pursuing your case. If you have any further questions regarding whiplash injury claims, please don’t hesitate to call us or fill out our online contact form. A representative will get in touch with you promptly.
