Average Settlement for Whiplash Injury – Heidari Law Group
What is the average insurance settlement for whiplash injury
Each year in the United States, more than 3 million people sustain whiplash injuries in a car accident. About half of those who experience whiplash end up in chronic pain from it.
You also don’t have to be in a serious car accident to get whiplash. Most whiplash injuries occur when you crash at 12 miles per hour or less.
Have you recently been in a car accident and are experiencing pain in your neck? Did someone else cause the accident and do you have proof? If you have injuries from a recent accident and suspect whiplash, you may be able to file a lawsuit for compensation.
The first thing you should do is see a doctor. If the doctor diagnoses you with whiplash, you may be able to file a personal injury claim.
Find out if you need a whiplash injury attorney and the average settlement for a whiplash case below.
what is whiplash?
Whiplash refers to a neck injury caused by a sudden and rapid snapping of the head and neck back and forth. the rapid crack resembles the crack of a whip.
Whiplash injuries commonly occur in car accidents, specifically when someone is struck from behind. whiplash can also occur from physical abuse, sports accidents, and other severe trauma.
Rapid forward and backward movement causes the neck to extend beyond its safe range of motion. this injures the soft tissues of the neck, including the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. movement can result in strain, but it can also tear delicate tissues.
Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash doesn’t always show up right away. It usually takes 24 hours to a few days for whiplash symptoms to fully develop.
Watch for common whiplash symptoms like:
- dizziness
- headaches (especially those that start at the base of the skull)
- stiff neck
- difficulty moving the neck
- neck pain
- pain that worsens when moving the neck
- fatigue
- pain or tenderness in the arms, upper back, and shoulders
- blurred vision
- depression
- difficulty concentrating
- irritability
- memory problems
- trouble sleeping
- ringing in the ears
- medical bills
- hospital bills
- ambulance costs
- property damage
- lost wages due to inability to work
- reduced earning capacity
- loss of future income
- pain and suffering
- emotional trauma and distress
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some whiplash patients also experience more serious symptoms such as:
Even if you don’t feel these symptoms after a car accident or other traumatic incident, you should still see a doctor. you may have other injuries that only a trained professional would notice.
whiplash treatment
Symptoms of whiplash can range from mild to severe. they also tend to last a long time. It can take weeks or months to fully recover from a whiplash injury.
Your doctor will probably recommend resting and alternately applying heat and cold for a couple of days. You may be advised to wear a brace or collar, but in recent years this has become a less commonly used treatment.
Your doctor will also advise you to take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to control pain. for severe injuries, stronger pain relievers or a muscle relaxant may be prescribed. they may also recommend injections.
Once you can move your neck without too much pain, your doctor will start physical therapy.
Does whiplash qualify you for a personal injury claim?
When you break a bone, you can see it on an X-ray. Whiplash injuries do not show up on any medical examination as they involve the soft tissues. this makes proving whiplash to an insurance company or a judge much more difficult.
This is why you should see a doctor as soon as possible after your injury. The faster you start the paperwork process, the more evidence you have to support a personal injury claim.
damages in a whiplash injury case
You should also seek damages for your whiplash injury. damages are compensation for property loss or injury.
which includes things like:
Things that qualify as damages vary from case to case. and they are an important factor in calculating the average settlement of whiplash lawsuits. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer before deciding to sue.
negligence
You must also prove that the other driver, and only the other driver, caused the accident. the other driver must have acted negligently by failing to follow proper traffic rules and exercise due care on the road.
what is the average whiplash injury settlement payment?
Many factors influence the amount you can receive in a whiplash injury settlement. the extent of the property damage and the severity of your injuries are two big ones.
If your whiplash injury has caused permanent disability or prevents you from working for an extended period of time, you may receive a higher offer.
Minor whiplash injuries typically cost between $10,000 and $100,000.
Serious whiplash injuries with life-altering consequences, such as permanent disability, result in higher settlements. Someone with this type of permanent injury can expect between $1 million and $5 million in a severe whiplash settlement.
Hire a Whiplash Injury Lawyer
It is impossible to know exactly how much compensation you can get after suffering whiplash. The best thing you can do is consult an experienced attorney who understands what constitutes a good personal injury case.
Are you suffering from whiplash due to someone else’s negligence?
Contact Heidari Law Group for a trusted whiplash injury attorney. their dedicated trial attorneys have recently won many cases with settlements in excess of $1 million.
Call today for a free case evaluation!
