According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), approximately 1,000 fatal accidents occurred in each of the past five years in Ohio. Of the accidents that were not fatal, many still resulted in severe injuries.
Whiplash is an injury that is commonly seen in car accidents, although it can have other causes. It puts a severe strain on your neck and damages the muscles. It can be mild or severe and the treatment method varies based on how much damage was done. If you have whiplash, you may need extensive medical treatment or may not be able to work.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident and developed whiplash, you may be able to take legal action against the person responsible for your accident. Doing so can help you recover financial compensation, which you can use to pay for medical expenses and other related expenses. Before you take action, discuss your case with an Akron whiplash accident lawyer to see what your legal options are. Call the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation.
Defining Whiplash
Whiplash is a condition where your neck muscles are pushed beyond their limits and they overstretch or tear. This is common in car accidents since the abrupt change in direction throws your head in the opposite direction and your neck muscles have to compensate.
Whiplash can be mild or severe, depending on how your neck muscles were pulled. Mild cases can develop over a few days after the accident and be uncomfortable. However, mild cases tend to not stop victims from continuing to live their lives. These cases can heal on their own without the need for medical attention.
More severe cases may require medical interventions. Neck braces are common since they help stop you from moving your head so that your neck can rest and heal. You may need to wear the neck brace for a couple of days or a couple of weeks, depending on your situation. In some cases, victims can continue to work with some changes to their daily routines.
The most severe cases result in neck muscle tears, which can be extremely painful. These cases tend to require surgery to repair the muscles and heal properly. You also are likely be in a neck or head brace to keep your neck completely still while it heals. If this happens, you will probably be out of work for an extended period of time.
For a free legal consultation with a whiplash injury lawyer serving Akron, call (844) 730-0233
Statute of Limitations
The medical and property damage expenses related to your accident may motivate you to file a lawsuit against the other driver. If this is the case, it is important to remember that you have a limited amount of time to file your lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations, and there is a statute for different types of lawsuits.
According to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 2305.10, you have two years from the date of your accident to file your lawsuit. It is important that you meet the deadline, or your lawsuit may be thrown out by the court. Statutes of limitation are designed to get victims to file their lawsuits in a reasonable amount of time.
If you want to avoid problems with the statute of limitations, contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Many accident victims wait until they are fully recovered to think about contacting a lawyer. This can take months off of the amount of time a lawyer has to build and file your lawsuit. By reaching out as soon as possible, you give your Akron whiplash accident lawyer the best chance of building a strong case and having it filed on time.
Akron Whiplash Injury Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Financial Impacts of Whiplash Accidents
Whiplash accidents can have a significant impact on your finances. Right after your accident, you may have gone to the emergency room. This can be expensive, even if you have good insurance. Damage to your car may also need to be repaired. Depending on the insurance coverage you have, your insurance premiums may go up since you were in an accident. You may also miss work, which can make affording your monthly expenses more difficult.
This is a leading reason why many accident victims decide to take legal action against the other driver in their accident. The financial impact of your accident can affect you for years if you do not recover compensation to help you pay off expenses. Since the other driver is responsible for these expenses, you may be able to collect compensation so that you do not have to deal with them on your own.
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Types of Recoverable Damages
There are several types of damages that you may be able to recover in a lawsuit, including:
- Medical expenses: Any medical expenses that you have that are directly related to your accident can be claimed under the personal injury statute. This includes ongoing and long-term medical and mental health care expenses.
- Lost wages: If you have to miss work because of injuries or property damage related to your accident, you may be able to recover the wages that you lost if you are not paid.
- Property damage: Any property damage due to the accident can be claimed in the lawsuit. While most people make claims for their car, a claim can also include any other personal property that was lost or damaged in the accident, such as a cell phone, purse, or clothes.
There may be other types of expenses that you can recover that are not included on this list. Document as many of your expenses as possible to make it easier for your lawyer to determine how much compensation to ask for. This will help ensure that you receive enough compensation to cover all of your current and long-term expenses related to your accident.
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Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one were injured in a whiplash accident, you may be able to take legal action to protect your finances. Discuss your case with an Akron whiplash accident lawyer to see what your legal options are. Call the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation about your case.
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