Whiplash is a common injury in auto accidents. This is a soft tissue injury that results from a severe jerk to the head, which causes neck pain. This jerk or jolt usually results from a motor vehicle accident. Like the cracking of a whip, whiplash is caused by a forceful and rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck.
Common symptoms include neck stiffness and pain, headaches, loss of range of motion of the neck, fatigue, numbness or tingling in the arms, dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, tenderness or pain in the shoulder, arms or upper back.
How is a Settlement Determined?
While settlements vary from one accident to another, the average settlement for a soft tissue injury such as whiplash that has no complications, the average settlement ranges from $2,500 to $10,000. The severity of the whiplash and the extent of the medical care that is required to treat your condition.
After you have gotten the initial medical care, you will be much more likely to determine the severity of your injury, the treatment that will be required, and how long you will need to recover. Your claim will be carefully assessed, and your damages reviewed by your personal injury attorney before your accident injury claim is filed.
Calculating the Value of Your Claim
Keep copies of all your medical records and medical bills. Your attorney will add up all your medical bills then multiply them by any figure from 1.5 to 5. The multiplying figure is based on the severity of your injury. While most cases of whiplash make a recovery within a few weeks, some have pain that lasts for months or years after the accident. It can be difficult to determine how long it will take someone to recover from whiplash.
Complications might include headaches, pain spreading into the arms, and severe neck pain. Some factors make whiplash complications a greater risk, such as being older, existing lower back or neck pain, and having previously had whiplash.
As an example, your medical bills total $6,000 and you have no complications, so your attorney multiplies your medical expenses by 2, which makes the total $12,000. You might be willing to settle your claim for $9,000 to $10,000 but the higher figure allows for negotiations. Add up all your lost wages and consider any future loss of earnings. That figure should be added on top of the total for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Consult With A Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered whiplash because of a car accident, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. To get your claim on track, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page. Your details will be shared with an accident injury lawyer who will thoroughly review your case. A statute of limitations does apply, so if you wait too long you will not be able to pursue a personal injury claim. Get your case reviewed and on track today before it is too late!
