Whiplash is an injury commonly resulting from the violent back-and-forth motion of the neck during the impact of a motor vehicle collision, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although whiplash can heal within a few weeks, in some cases, the injury develops into a serious and chronic health condition.

If you suffered from whiplash or other injuries due to someone else’s negligence or careless driving, you should speak to a St. Petersburg whiplash injury lawyer and find out about your legal options. You could potentially sue the other driver and receive compensation.

Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC now to speak to one of our team members by dialing (844) 730-0233.

Symptoms of a Whiplash Injury

The most important thing after a car accident is to see a medical professional as soon as possible even if you do not feel much or any pain immediately after the accident. A simple headache or some neck stiffness may be the first signal of whiplash or a head injury.

Whiplash, as well as head injuries, can take a few days to develop. Getting a timely medical check-up can help initiate treatment right away. A medical report from your doctor can serve as evidence if you are later considering holding the negligent driver to account for your damages. Some of the symptoms of whiplash can include:

• Headaches
• Neck stiffness
• Pain in the neck or shoulders
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Problems with concentration
• Numbness or tingling in arms

You may also experience some less common symptoms, such as:

• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory problems
• Ringing in ears

If you have any of these symptoms after a car accident, you should see a doctor who may be able to rule out more serious injuries.

Chronic Whiplash

While most do not have a lasting injury after whiplash is fully healed, in some cases, whiplash develops into a chronic and debilitating condition. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), patients with chronic whiplash after a motor vehicle accident typically present with chronic headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and neurological symptoms.

While it is possible to treat mild whiplash with over-the-counter or prescription pain medication, muscle relaxers, and some physical therapy, chronic whiplash can involve long-term costly medical treatments. The condition may also require considerable time off work.

If you suffer from serious or chronic whiplash after a car accident, you may require costly medical treatments and therapy for years to come. If someone else caused your accident and whiplash injury, they should pay for your costs. Consider working with a St. Petersburg whiplash injury lawyer to analyze your case and discuss your legal options.

For a free legal consultation with a whiplash injury lawyer serving St.Petersburg, call (844) 730-0233

Compensation for Your Whiplash Injury

Compensation for your whiplash injury will depend on the extent of your injury and the effects that the condition is having on your daily life. For example, if you are suffering from long-term pain and need to undergo extensive treatments requiring time off work, you may be entitled to a larger settlement than someone whose whiplash injury healed within a few weeks.

However, it can be difficult to generalize about settlement amounts and you can speak to a St. Petersburg whiplash injury lawyer to find out what you could receive in your individual car accident case. Generally, the following types of compensation could be available to you, as well as others:

• Medical costs in connection with the accident
• Lost wages and future lost income
• Rehabilitative therapies
• Medical devices and accessories
• Property damage
• Help for the household
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Disability

In order to receive any compensation, you will have to prove that another driver’s negligence caused your injury. For this, you will need clear evidence of the accident circumstances as well as evidence of your medical conditions.

After an accident, your best next step can be to collect evidence, such as your medical reports detailing any injuries, as well as any medical bills for treatments, medicines, and medical devices.

You could also speak to your doctor about any future treatments you are likely to need and the costs that you may incur with those treatments. This can be evidence for any expected future medical bills you may want to claim in a lawsuit.

St.Petersburg Whiplash Injury Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233

Florida Statute of Limitations

If you are thinking of holding the responsible party to account for your injuries after a car accident, you should act quickly and obtain legal advice and assistance as soon as you can. While it can be tempting to wait until you feel better, or are fully healed, this can be counterproductive.

The Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a) generally gives you four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once this time has passed, you may not be able to recover any compensation for your injuries. While four years may seem like a good amount of time, if you wait right until the end of this timeframe, you and your lawyer may run into problems with gathering the necessary evidence for your claim. It is generally preferable to secure evidence immediately after an accident, including eyewitness statements. Finding witnesses to testify for your case after four years can be challenging.

Time can be of the essence, so contact your St. Petersburg whiplash injury lawyer as soon as you can.

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Ben Crump Law, PLLC Can Fight for Your Rights

It is normal to feel overwhelmed after a car accident. You may be suffering from painful whiplash and other injuries and have to deal with replacing or repairing your car as well as all the paperwork for filing insurance claims. However, this does not have to stop you from seeking justice and compensation. We can be by your side and help you every step of the way. We can take charge of all aspects of your claim and help by:

• Offering legal advice and guidance
• Gathering evidence and witness statements
• Providing expert witnesses
• Negotiating a settlement
• Fight for you in court

Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today and find out how we could help you seek compensation for a painful whiplash injury. Reach us at (844) 730-0233.

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