Whiplash is a common injury for passengers in car accidents, usually when a car is smashed from behind by another car, truck, or bus. The sudden impact of a vehicle accident can cause the necks and heads of drivers and passengers to lurch forward and backward, damaging soft tissue in the neck. A whiplash injury happens in this way, although it can also happen when the neck moves side to side in a side-impact collision.
Whiplash happens so suddenly that a person might not even realize it. The pain may be felt right after the accident, or it might not show up for days afterward. That is partly why whiplash is hard to prove if you have been in a serious car crash.
If you have been hit from behind (or from the front or sides) and knocked around pretty hard in the car, you might have injuries and losses from your accident. If you are thinking about holding the driver who caused the accident legally responsible, you can contact a Sarasota whiplash injury lawyer to discuss your situation and assess your injuries and damages.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can review the details of your accident during a free, no-obligation consultation. Contact our legal team at (844) 730-0233 today to set up your appointment.
Sarasota Car Accidents
Florida has many drivers, and consequently, it has a lot of car accidents. There were 403,626 car crashes in Florida during 2018, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLMHSV). Involved in the crashes were some 693,561 drivers, and in Sarasota County, 6,466 crashes happened that year. Some people likely suffered whiplash among other injuries in these accidents and had to receive medical treatment for it.
For a free legal consultation with a whiplash injury lawyer serving Sarasota, call (844) 730-0233
Symptoms of Whiplash
After a car accident, a person may feel pain and stiffness in the neck and pain in the shoulders and down the back. A person may also feel dizzy and have headaches after a car crash in which whiplash is suspected. These are the most common whiplash symptoms of the condition.
But for some individuals, suffering whiplash in a car accident can lead to more pronounced medical problems. Depending on the severity of the accident and the driver or passenger’s physical health, a person’s whiplash could result in numerous body complications in the foreseeable future. Ligaments may tear, or tissues might not be in alignment with the back nerves and more.
This is why a person who is in a serious car crash in which whiplash or more is part of should try to take notes on their cellphone or in a journal about the pain they have. The car accident report will note damages to the vehicles, but it might not have information on a person who is just a little shaken up after the accident.
That little bit of “shaken up” could indeed be the start of serious injuries related to whiplash. That is why meeting up with a Sarasota whiplash injury lawyer may be the right move to make. Our team of legal representatives can walk you through the legal process of what a whiplash lawsuit would entail, and in doing so, can help you understand the claims process related to your injuries.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you navigate recovering compensation for whiplash related to your car accident. Hiring an attorney can make the legal process easier to manage. Call us today to schedule your free case review and discuss your options for possible financial recovery.
Sarasota Whiplash Injury Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
The Whiplash Claims Process
After a serious car crash in which you suffered whiplash and maybe more, getting legal counsel can help you decide to file a personal injury claim. A legal team can help you identify the negligent driver. It may have been a drunk driver that slammed into your car, one who has a previous record of DUIs. Or it might have been a first-time accident for someone who was not looking at the road for a millisecond, and their inattention caused the crash.
In either case, our legal team can help you explore your legal options and move through the claims and negotiation process. We can speak with the liable party’s insurance company on your behalf. If we cannot reach a fair settlement for you, we can file a lawsuit. Many times, cases do not make it to court. Instead, they go into a negotiation stage, and plaintiffs usually can settle their claim before the court sets a date. Many negligent parties prefer to negotiate a settlement and avoid the costs of going to court.
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Settlement for a Whiplash Injury
Florida law mandates that the driver whose negligence caused the accident is responsible for the accident. If you were on the receiving end of this negligence and suffered whiplash, you have legal rights to seek damages from the other party. As the injured party, you could file a seek to claim full financial compensation for:
- Hospital and emergency room fees
- All general costs of medical treatment
- Pain medications and any surgeries needed
- Any costs related to physical and mental rehabilitation
- Reimbursement for lost income due to the harm suffered in the accident (This would also include expected future income that might be lost.)
- Damages for pain and suffering
- Expenses related to long-term disability
- Payment for loss of life enjoyment
According to Florida Statutes § 627.737, the plaintiff can file a lawsuit for whiplash damages when these conditions are showing:
- Loss of an important bodily function (significant and permanent)
- Permanent injury
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
In any given case, settlement amounts are dependent on several factors, including the harm the plaintiff suffered, the severity of the accident, and the future loss of income. If you are thinking about taking legal action, keep in mind that Florida’s statute of limitations deadline is four years for a personal injury lawsuit, per Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a).
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Consult a Whiplash Injury Attorney
Suffering whiplash in a severe car accident can be a traumatic experience. However, its deeper and more troubling symptoms might not be apparent when you check in with a doctor to see if you have suffered whiplash. Do not just assume that you are OK. Dizziness, pain, and internal injuries could show up later.
If you would like additional guidance on your situation, you can speak with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, for legal counsel about a personal injury case and how a Sarasota whiplash injury lawyer might be able to help. Call us today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case evaluation. You can ask questions, and we can review what legal recourse is available to you.
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