Many people have seen the stereotypical car injury victim wearing a neck brace on television and in the movies. In many cases, these media examples of whiplash have created negative and incorrect assumptions regarding the actual injury, more accurately known as Whiplash Associated Disorder.
According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash occurs when a person receives a sudden, severe impact that causes the neck to rapidly move back and forth, like cracking a whip (hence the name). Some whiplash sufferers experience permanent and lifelong pain and suffering and need continued medical treatments and therapies. In some cases, these victims also suffer from psychiatric challenges due to their constant pain and suffering.
Whiplash is a serious injury that requires medical treatment and care. If you suffered whiplash injuries resulting from a car accident in Northeast Florida, consider how a Daytona Beach whiplash accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, could help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us today at (844) 730-0233, and a team member can answer your questions and help you understand your legal rights in the state of Florida.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury to the neck that affects the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissue in the neck, head, and sometimes upper back areas. Because of adrenaline and the shock that victims often feel following a car accident, many passengers and drivers involved in car accidents do not notice any injuries immediately following the accident. As a result, they might refuse emergency treatment from an ambulance technician or fail to seek emergency care at a hospital or urgent care center.
However, after a few hours or days, once the shock and adrenaline have worn off, they begin to experience pain or other symptoms that could indicate whiplash. Some of the signs and symptoms to watch for after a car accident include:
- Back, shoulder, neck, or jaw pain and stiffness
- Limited range of motion in the back, neck, and shoulder areas
- Headaches
- Severe fatigue
- Impaired or blurry vision
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle spasms
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Pain that worsens with any movement
- Emotional changes such as mood swings or anger
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention and receive a medical evaluation. If you failed to do so immediately after a car accident, schedule a visit with your primary care provider. Additionally, if you have already visited with your health care provider and now experience new symptoms, revisit your health care provider regarding your treatment plan regarding your whiplash injuries.
During this time, take care if you plan to file a claim with an insurance company. Many insurance adjusters could use unscrupulous and manipulative tactics during this time of pain and suffering to obtain statements from clients that will reduce their opportunity to receive fair and just settlement offers.
You might want to consider how a Daytona Beach whiplash accident lawyer could negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf during this difficult time to ensure your legal rights remain protected. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to learn more from a team member.
For a free legal consultation with a whiplash injuries lawyer serving Daytona Beach, call (844) 730-0233
Importance of Whiplash Treatments
In most cases, whiplash symptoms remain mild, and simple rest and over-the-counter or prescription medications allow the body to heal on its own. However, in more serious car accident cases, a medical professional might authorize diagnostic tests such as an MRI or CT scan to determine the extent of any soft tissue damage or other medical issues.
Following your diagnostic tests, you will likely receive a medical treatment plan. You might need the following treatments:
- Wear a neck brace.
- Take prescription medications to lessen swelling and pain
- Go to physical therapy.
- Engage in stretches and therapy at home.
- Receive chiropractic or acupuncture treatment.
In severe whiplash cases, a victim also has other serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding. Every whiplash case will have a unique set of facts and circumstances, and every patient will have different recommendations regarding their whiplash treatments.
Daytona Beach Whiplash Injuries Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Follow Your Whiplash Treatment Plan to Protect Your Right to Compensation
If you suffered whiplash injuries, you might have the ability to receive compensation for your medical costs, including:
- Hospital bills
- Primary care doctor visits
- Chiropractic visits
- Diagnostic tests
- Prescription and over-the-counter medicine
Additionally, you could have the legal right to pursue lost income resulting from your inability to return to work because of your whiplash injuries. However, during this period, it remains critical that you follow whatever treatment plan your health care professional provides you—not only for your health but also to establish the link between your injuries and the crash. Following doctors’ orders ensures that an insurance adjuster cannot argue later that you exacerbated your injuries by disregarding your treatment plan.
Click to contact our Daytona Beach Car Accident Lawyers today
How Long Whiplash Treatment Plans Last
The good news is that most whiplash victims of whiplash completely heal within weeks or months of their car accident. However, some whiplash sufferers have residual pain and suffering that can result in permanent and lifelong challenges.
No matter how severe your whiplash injuries are, you can still pursue compensation for your medical costs, lost income, property damage, and other expenses once your bills exceed your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage limit. If your whiplash injuries become permanent, you could also receive an award for the pain and suffering you experience. Keep in mind that under Florida Statutes § 95.11, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit based on the negligence of the at-fault driver.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Learn How a Daytona Beach Whiplash Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you suffered injuries such as whiplash in a car accident, you might feel overwhelmed having to run to doctor appointments, discuss your case with adversarial insurance adjusters, deal with the loss of income due to your inability to return to work, and decide whether to repair or replace your vehicle.
A Daytona Beach whiplash accident lawyer could help you manage these situations. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 to speak to a team member about how we could help you with your case and ensure your legal rights remain protected as you go through this difficult time.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
