If you have suffered a whiplash injury from a recent car accident and are seeking compensation, your best option may be to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. While many whiplash injury claims are settled prior to taking a case to court, filing the lawsuit gives you the opportunity to negotiate a settlement amount with the liable party. As you’ll see, whiplash cases can be tricky and require legal expertise. Let’s take a look at what’s involved when you file a lawsuit for your whiplash injury and how a personal injury lawyer can help you.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissue in the neck injury commonly sustained in car accidents as your body makes a whip-like motion from the force of the impact. Most whiplash injuries heal within a week or so, but more serious whiplash injuries can take up to a few months to fully heal.
In many cases, you may not realize the full extent of your whiplash injuries until a few days to a week after your accident. Even though your injuries may appear minor at first, whiplash injuries should be taken very seriously since they can lead to physical discomfort and mobility issues. The cervical region (the part of your neck affected by whiplash) is integral to your range of motion, so you always want a medical professional to evaluate any injuries to this area.
Filing a Lawsuit for Whiplash Injuries
Unfortunately, due to the frequency and nature of whiplash injuries, these types of injuries are often dismissed as nuisance claims. Injury claims for whiplash injuries are made more difficult by the fact that soft tissue injuries like these do not show up on diagnostic tools like x-rays. It’s vital to your case that you visit your doctor regularly and request copies of all medical records pertaining to your car accident injury.
If your symptoms persist longer than a few months, you may be experiencing a more severe type of neck injury. This will have a serious effect on your claim value, so keeping up with all the appropriate documentation is even more important. Whether your injury is whiplash-related or not, keep records of all your medical notes and expenses to ensure you have the proper evidence documenting the extent of your injuries.
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
Lawyers are the only authorities qualified to accurately advise whiplash victims on how to proceed with their legal claim. Injury claims that deal with whiplash injuries can be tricky and require a great deal of legal expertise if you wish for your case to succeed. Consulting a personal injury lawyer can help you decide whether or not you have a viable case, gather all of the appropriate documentation relating to your car accident and resulting injuries and pursue your legal right to compensation.
McMahan Law Firm has had a presence in Chattanooga, TN since 1995. Our legal experts understand the complexities involved in car accident and personal injury cases, and we’re here to provide you with the representation you deserve. Contact us today!
