Many people experience whiplash after a car accident. However, you can get whiplash from different types of accidents and sporting activities. All it takes is head trauma that puts too much strain on your neck and causes muscle damage. This type of injury can make it difficult to recover from an accident and interfere with your day-to-day life until it heals.
If you develop whiplash after an accident, you might be able to take legal action to recover compensation from the responsible party. Every case is unique, so you might want to seek legal advice from a Kansas City whiplash lawyer to see what your legal options are. You can call the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 to discuss your case during a free consultation.
Consequences of a Whiplash Accident
Whiplash develops when the neck muscles are pushed beyond their limits and begin to tear. In many cases, your muscles can heal from this kind of injury naturally. However, the healing process takes time, and some cases require medical intervention.
Whiplash can range from severe to mild, depending on the circumstances of the accident. In a car accident, the force of the impact can cause your head to move quickly in multiple directions. As your neck tries to compensate, it might bend under the strain and pull your neck muscles until they tear. In mild cases, this will heal on its own without the need for serious medical intervention. In more severe cases, a neck brace might be required to take the stress off of your neck muscles and to keep your head still during the healing process. Surgery might also be needed to repair the neck muscles in the most severe cases.
For a free legal consultation with a whiplash injury lawyer serving Kansas City, call (844) 730-0233
Medical Expenses
Your medical expenses depend on the severity of your injuries and the type of care required. Many mild cases involve medical expenses that are limited to the cost of post-accident assessments. If you need more extensive medical care, surgery, follow-up visits, and equipment such as neck braces can raise the costs substantially.
One medical expense many victims do not consider is the cost of recovery care. Regardless of what type of whiplash you develop, you are likely to be prescribed physical therapy. Muscle tears heal thicker and stronger to prevent similar damage in the future, which can impede your ability to move your neck. Physical therapy can help your neck heal, strengthen weak muscles, and increase flexibility. Without it, you might experience a loss of mobility and comfort.
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Seeking Compensation
Medical expenses can be expensive, but they are not the only type of expense you might have after your accident. The cost of your recovery can grow quickly and leave you in a bad financial position. Recovering money lost is one of the leading reasons why people seek compensation through civil lawsuits.
The goal of a civil lawsuit is to collect financial compensation from the party liable for your injury. You can use any compensation you are awarded to pay for your related expenses. Your lawsuit could contain compensation claims based on the costs you incurred in the accident and throughout the healing process. The potential benefit for you is significant since it could help you avoid going into severe medical debt and protect your finances.
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Statute of Limitations
If you are considering a lawsuit, be aware that you do not have unlimited time to think about your options. Kansas City is a unique area in that your accident could happen in one of two states within the same city. This impacts your case in multiple ways.
According to the Missouri Revised Statutes (RSMo) §516.120, you have five years to file your lawsuit. Five years might seem like a lot of time, but it can pass quickly. In Kansas, you have considerably less time. You only have two years to file your lawsuit according to the Kansas Statute §60-513.
Reach out to a Kansas City whiplash lawyer when you are able if you would like to hire legal representation. Doing so can help you avoid the potential problem of missing the filing deadline. If you do miss the deadline, the other party can have your case dropped before you are given the opportunity to argue your case. Call the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC, to discuss the intricacies of your situation with our legal team.
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Settlement vs. Trial
Every civil lawsuit has a chance of ending in a settlement agreement rather than going to trial. It takes a long time for many cases to go to trial, especially if the court systems in your area are particularly busy. While you are waiting, you might be offered a settlement agreement by the other party. If you accept it, you can collect compensation and end your lawsuit sooner. It is a possible way to reduce the amount of time that you have to wait to address your financial problems. However, it is important to carefully consider a settlement agreement before accepting it. Reviewing it thoroughly with a lawyer could ensure you are not compromising anything needlessly.
Call to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with whiplash after an accident, you might be able to take legal action to recover compensation for your expenses. Call the offices of a Kansas City whiplash lawyer to get specific legal advice about your case. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we offer free consultations when you call us at (844) 730-0233.
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