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Whiplash is a common injury among people hurt in an accident. If you or someone you know suffered whiplash in a motorcycle, car, truck, or pedestrian accident in Pensacola, you need a whiplash attorney. Contact the Pensacola car accident attorneys at Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers to begin your whiplash compensation claim.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is one of the most commonly reported medical conditions due to motor vehicle accidents. In a crash, especially rear-end accidents, the body may be thrown forward and then backward. The resulting injuries affecting someone’s neck, head, and shoulders are known as whiplash.
Factors like excessive speed and whether or not the vehicle struck anything else during this process will also influence the likelihood and severity of whiplash.
If you believe you have whiplash, report these concerns to your doctor. After getting a diagnosis and treatment plan for whiplash, you may need a lawyer to assist you with a personal injury claim.
Symptoms of Whiplash Injury
The shock and adrenaline from the accident can mask whiplash symptoms at the scene or in the immediate hours following. Continue to monitor how you feel, as delayed injuries like whiplash may emerge later.
You may wake up the next day with a stiff neck or shoulders, and you must see your doctor to get treatment.
Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of whiplash include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Stiff neck
- Prickling or burning feeling
You might also experience psychological or cognitive issues along with whiplash. Especially when you have multiple injuries, it’s important to tell your doctor about your symptoms to determine the most effective treatment plan.
If you are dealing with trouble concentrating, irritability, nervousness, memory loss, or sleep disturbances, inform your doctor right away.
Treatment for Whiplash
Whiplash is usually diagnosed following a physical examination. Soft tissue injuries such as whiplash are not always detectable with CT scans or X-rays. However, your doctor might order these other tests to rule out other medical conditions. During your exam, your doctor will examine your reflexes, pain points, and range of motion. Your doctor will use this to create a treatment plan for you.
Most people recover from minor whiplash injuries within a few weeks after the accident. Follow your doctor’s orders to give yourself the best chance to recover fully. Your recovery plan may include stretches, medications, or physical therapy.
The goal of your treatment plan is to help you restore your range of motion and eliminate the pain you feel. Your doctor will adjust your treatment plan based on the severity of your injury and how long it takes you to recover.
Take notes following every appointment with your doctor and monitor your own condition, too. Since you’ll need to present the strongest possible case about how whiplash has affected your life, your notes will make it easier for your Pensacola whiplash lawyer to organize and fight your case.
Who is Liable for My Whiplash Injury?
The most common people held responsible for whiplash injuries are drivers of other vehicles who caused the initial crash. However, a Pensacola whiplash attorney may analyze your evidence or work with accident reconstruction experts to determine any other liable parties.
Other parties could include the manufacturer of a defective part on your vehicle that caused the accident or increased your injuries or the employer of a truck driver who caused the accident.
When do I have to file a whiplash lawsuit?
Like other states, Florida has specific rules regarding the timeline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. You need to start your lawsuit no later than four years after the date of the accident if it occurred before March 24, 2023. For all incidents March 24, 2023 or after, the statute of limitations is 2 years. It’s in your best interests to retain legal representation sooner than that point, however. With multiple medical bills, filing quickly puts you in a better position to recover compensation.
Do I have to take an insurance settlement offer?
Since there is so much uncertainty around soft tissue injuries like whiplash, your personal injury lawyer may receive a settlement offer from the other side at any point in your lawsuit. You should take any settlement offers seriously, but you are not obligated to accept one. You can negotiate or turn down an offer, and if you’re unable to come to terms with the other party, your case will continue to trial.
Working with an attorney who has already totaled your current and expected damages will help you make an informed decision about what makes a fair settlement offer from the other side. If you can come to terms, you may be able to end your legal matter quickly, but it’s important that you feel confident about the offer and your ability to cover future and current expenses.
Can I sue for a whiplash injury?
If you sustained a whiplash injury because of someone else’s negligence, you might be able to file a lawsuit to recover damages. Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage laws require first seeking compensation from your insurance carrier.
Your PIP coverage is capped at $10,000, and it’s straightforward for someone seriously hurt in an accident to exceed this limit rather quickly, particularly if you have multiple injuries at once.
If you’re dealing with long-term whiplash or whiplash as part of a bigger set of injuries, your Pensacola whiplash lawyer will prepare your case for court. It’s vital to have someone familiar with soft tissue injuries advocating for your rights.
How can a whiplash attorney help me recover damages?
When it comes to convincing others about the severity of your pain, soft tissue injuries like whiplash present a challenge. Unlike a broken limb, which comes with X-rays and doctor notes about standard surgeries or healing time, it can be harder to explain the depth of your whiplash and your likely recovery time and costs.
For that reason, it’s vital to have a lawyer familiar with soft tissue injuries to assist you with filing and fighting your case.
Schedule Your Call with a Pensacola Whiplash Attorney Now
Since each whiplash case is unique, you must discuss the specifics of your case with a Pensacola whiplash attorney. Set up a time to talk about your soft tissue injuries with Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers now. Contact us today!