Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) is commonly known as whiplash, and while in some cases may resolve within a few weeks, in other cases it can result in serious life-long injuries resulting in permanent damage. If a victim receives a whiplash injury in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, they have the legal right to pursue compensation for their injuries and losses.
Utah is a no-fault state, which means you receive compensation from your own auto insurance company before pursuing any additional money from the other party. A lawyer can help you with your whiplash accident case to get compensation from your insurer, as well as compensation from the other driver’s insurance company as needed.
If you suffered whiplash as a result of a car accident caused by a negligent driver, contact a Salt Lake City whiplash accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 to learn more about your legal rights.
Understanding Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash occurs when the head and neck snap sharply back as the result of a severe impact. In many cases, a whiplash injury results in tears or sprains to ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the shoulders and neck.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), even minor car accidents can result in whiplash injuries. In some cases, whiplash injuries can remain severe or even result in permanent damage.
For a free legal consultation with a whiplash injury lawyer serving Salt Lake City, call (844) 730-0233
Symptoms of Whiplash
It is important to note that many victims suffering from whiplash do not suffer any immediate symptoms related to their injury. The adrenaline and shock from a car accident can mask many symptoms of whiplash or other injuries. However, even if a victim does not feel any symptoms, it remains critical that they seek immediate medical evaluation and treatment following any car accident. Some of the symptoms that a victim of whiplash may experience could include:
- Back, shoulder, and neck pain
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Impaired vision
- Ear ringing
- Dizziness
- Vomiting or nausea
In some cases, a victim that suffers from whiplash may have other serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injury. Visiting with a medical practitioner can ensure that a victim receives the proper diagnostic imaging and evaluation to ensure that they receive the proper treatment and medical care.
Salt Lake City Whiplash Injury Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Importance of Seeking Medical Attention
In addition to addressing your medical needs, a medical practitioner will document your injuries, making it less likely an insurance company will have the opportunity to say that your injuries did not stem from the accident but from another cause. If you failed to visit a medical practitioner following your car accident, you should do so as soon as possible. Additionally, if you develop any additional symptoms or if your symptoms worsen after you visit your doctor, you should always return to ensure your safety and health.
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Compensation for Whiplash Victims
Whiplash injuries differ in their severity. Some victims suffer symptoms so severe that they have expensive medical bills. They may also be unable to return to work, resulting in lost wages. Additionally, the pain and suffering that a victim endures can last weeks, months, or even years.
After you collect money from your own insurance company, you may still have a personal injury case for other types of damages, depending on your policy. When pursuing compensation from the other driver, you may be able to collect:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of future wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Some of these types of compensation are extremely difficult to calculate accurately. Every victim of a car accident resulting from someone else’s negligence has the right to pursue compensation for their injuries and losses. Contacting a Salt Lake City whiplash accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you understand the total amount of compensation you may have a legal right to under the law.
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Gather Evidence Following Your Car Accident
It is important to keep all of your medical bills, documentation showing your loss of wages from work, repair to or replacement of your vehicle or the contents inside, and a diary of your pain and suffering. You may have the legal right to pursue both economic and non-economic damages if you suffered injuries and losses resulting from a car accident due to someone else’s negligence. Contacting a Salt Lake City whiplash accident lawyer can help you better understand all of the different evidence you should collect so that your attorney can build a strong personal injury case following your accident.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
You are under no obligation to meet with the insurance company, but if you do so, there are several things to keep in mind. Make sure to never allow an insurance company to record your conversations and do not provide full disclosure regarding your medical records to an insurance company.
Never accept the first check that an insurance company provides unless you understand that this will be the last check that you receive for your settlement. The alternative is to consult with a Salt Lake City whiplash accident lawyer who will help protect your legal rights and can negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf.
You May Only Have a Limited Time to Sue
When seeking damages from your car accident in a lawsuit, you must do so within four years under Utah Code §78B-2-307. If you do not act quickly enough, you may not be able to file a lawsuit. You can discuss this time limit with a lawyer and see what options you have.
Consider How a Salt Lake City Whiplash Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you suffered whiplash injuries following a car accident, you may have medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Contact the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 to learn more about how a Salt Lake City whiplash accident lawyer can explain your legal rights and ensure they remain protected. We welcome tough cases and work on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless you win compensation for your losses.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
