Whiplash Injury Compensation After a Car Accident
Whiplash injuries are by far the most common car accident injury in Utah and elsewhere, occurring even in minor car accidents as well as major ones. More than 2 million people suffer whiplash injuries in the United States each year. Some cases of whiplash are only a minor inconvenience with several weeks of pain and stiffness, but more severe whiplash injuries may have lasting complications and ongoing consequences including pain, limited motion, ongoing medical treatments, and physical therapies.
When a whiplash injury causes extended pain and limited mobility it not only requires expensive medical interventions but it may also cause lost time at work and financial impacts. In Utah, an experienced accident attorney can explain the legal avenues for filing a claim for a whiplash injury so you can recoup your financial losses and focus on your physical recovery.
What is Whiplash?
Most whiplash cases occur from car accident collisions, but they also result from sports injuries, slip and fall accidents, and other trauma. Whiplash occurs when a sudden stop or sudden swift acceleration causes the head to “whip” backward and then forward or forward and then backward. The whip-like snapping causes the muscles, tendons, and joints of the neck to overstretch, resulting in damage. Symptoms include the following:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Pain or numbness in the arms and hands
- Blurred vision
- Irritability and sleeplessness
Car accident-related whiplash injuries most commonly result from rear-end collisions but may also result from head-on collisions and side-impact accidents. It doesn’t require a large amount of force to cause whiplash and the elderly and those with previous neck injuries face an increased risk of developing whiplash.
Treating Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash treatment depends on the severity of the injury, but may require one or more of the following treatments after it’s diagnosed by a doctor:
- Ice applications
- Wearing a cervical collar
- Gentle, doctor-recommended exercises
- Muscle-relaxer medications
- Osteopathic manipulation
- Physical Therapy
While most whiplash injuries are minor, some severe whiplash cases may cause temporary or even permanent disability.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover After Whiplash?
Because whiplash effects can vary greatly in severity, the amount of a settlement also varies anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 for minor injuries to millions for permanent disability. Common settlements include financial compensation for
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Pain and suffering
If you’ve experienced a whiplash injury in Utah and require ongoing medical treatment contact an accident attorney who can explain your right to compensation and assist you with filing a claim.