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Whiplash Can Be a Serious Injury
Almost everyone has heard of the term “whiplash,” which refers to a range of possible injuries to the tendons, ligaments, or other soft tissue in the neck. Whiplash commonly results from auto accidents and is most often associated with rear-end accidents. Rear-end accidents often happen at lower speeds and have a lower amount of impact than other types of collisions, such as head-on or broadside collisions. However, this does not mean that rear-end accidents do not often cause serious injuries–and whiplash is a common one.
Car accidents can lead to a host of injuries that range from minor to severe. Whiplash, one of the more common forms of injury, can develop into more serious symptoms over time. Even if problems weren’t immediately noticeable following the accident, you may need ongoing medical treatment and may be entitled to compensation. Understand the condition and get legal advice from Boca Law.
If you have been involved in a car accident and you weren’t the party at fault, you could be entitled to compensation. Learn about whiplash, the risks and symptoms, and how you can get help from a car accident attorney in Boca Raton.
You May Experience A Delay in Symptoms
The symptoms and signs of whiplash are often not immediately apparent. An accident victim may simply believe that they are generally sore from the accident when, in reality, they have suffered damage to the soft tissue in their neck. Over the next day or so, the following symptoms may arise:
- Limited range of motion in the neck and shoulders.
- Varied intensity of pain in the neck, arms, or shoulders.
- Pain into the lower back.
- Headaches.
- Fatigue and insomnia.
- Numbness or tingling in the arms.
- Irritability due to constant pain.
Strains, sprains, and other soft tissue injuries can often be considered to be more minor than broken or fractured bones. Actually, broken bones may often heal more cleanly and quickly than soft tissue injuries. Whiplash can be a chronic injury that can require physical therapy, prescription medication, and other rehabilitative treatment. Some victims require treatment intermittently for months or even years.
Predicting long-term problems has been a focus for many in the medical community. Some people are at risk of prolonged disability. Those who have severe neck pain and stiffness are most likely to have lingering problems for a year (or more) after the event.
In addition to costly treatment, many whiplash sufferers must take time off work, especially if their jobs require heavy lifting or other physical labor. This can result in a substantial amount of lost income and benefits while simultaneously facing extensive and unexpected medical bills. These financial struggles along with physical pain and suffering can substantially affect a whiplash victim’s quality of life and emotional well-being.
Overall, whiplash is not an injury to be taken lightly. Often, rear-end accidents that result in whiplash occur because another party was negligent. Common examples of negligence in this type of collision include:
- Distracted driving.
- Impaired driving.
- Brake failure or tire blowouts.
- Tailgating.
- Speeding.
- Other aggressive driving behaviors.
If your whiplash was caused by the negligence of another person or party, you are legally entitled to receive compensation for all of your relevant losses. You should always immediately seek medical treatment following an accident; however, your next call should be to discuss a possible case with an experienced car accident lawyer in Boca Raton.
When Should You Call a Car Accident Lawyer in Boca Raton?
If you have suffered whiplash or another form of injury or loss following a car accident, you may need to call a Boca Raton attorney. Insurance won’t always provide the coverage that you are entitled to, which can leave you with significant expenses that you will need to cover out of pocket. You may also suffer ongoing medical problems and incidental expenses relating to an accident and whiplash.
If you weren’t at fault, you may be able to seek compensation.It’s essential that you contact a car accident lawyer in Boca Raton if:
- You haven’t received proper payment for medical attention.
- You require compensation for lost wages related to an accident.
- You require payment for property damage.
- You have suffered ongoing pain or disability, and want to seek compensation.
- You have incurred significant incidental expenses (for therapy, medical equipment, etc.) and want to seek compensation.
Insurance provides an excellent safety net that will often cover damages following an accident. However, there are times when insurance is not enough. Gross negligence or illegal activities leading to an accident could be grounds for civil action.
You can explore all of your options and get expert legal advice by calling the team of experienced car accident lawyers atLavalle, Brown & Ronan P.A. today.