Claiming Compensation: What Is a Whiplash Injury and the Typical Settlement for It?

Whiplash injuries are quite common, easy to obtain, and often difficult to recover from. Commonly known as whiplash, the official name is whiplash-associated disorder. It occurs when a series of movements suddenly distort the neck, causing stretching and tears.

Whiplash happens frequently in motor vehicle accidents, but it is also commonly caused from abuse, contact sports, or horseback riding. While many whiplash injuries occur when the victim is hit from behind, it can be the consequence of an impact from any direction.

Since these types of injuries can result in long-term pain and suffering and financial stresses, many people turn to the court to help them receive the compensation they are entitled to for assistance with their damages.

What is Whiplash?

When a car is impacted from behind, the person in the vehicle is jolted. This impact causes the body to move forward immediately while the neck remains still for a fraction of a second – just long enough to make the head move up and back. This motion, although over quickly, causes the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to stretch or tear.

The collision does not have to come from behind to cause whiplash, although that is one of the most common occurences. It also does not have to be a hard impact, either. Even a slow speed car accident can cause whiplash.

Symptoms of whiplash can come on immediately or they can take 24 hours or longer to be felt. These symptoms often include lower back pain, muscle spasms, neck and shoulder discomfort, and dizziness.

Why File a Personal Injury Claim for Your Whiplash?

After you have been injured in an accident, you may find yourself facing expenses for medical treatment that your insurance will not cover. You might also have to miss work due to the pain or your doctor’s appointments. These expenses can add up.

Sometimes whiplash cases can cause long-term pain and suffering that goes on even after your insurance runs out. Hiring a car accident attorney or other knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to help you determine what benefits you are entitled to can get you the compensation you need to cover past, current, and future expenses.

What Types of Settlement Can You Expect in a Whiplash Case?

There are many factors that go into determining the settlement values of a whiplash case. These can include the degree of negligence of the responsible party, the liability limits of their insurance policies, and the severity of your injury.

Mild to moderate whiplash cases often receive compensation between $2,500 and $10,000. Accidents that result in physical therapy treatment over several months can result in settlements of $30,000 or more. Severe neck injuries in which the damage is more than just soft-tissue can end up with final compensation of over $100,000.

Your settlement will be determined by these variables. Your attorney can give you more information on what to expect should you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Your Next Steps to Receive Your Whiplash Compensation

To find out if your whiplash injury entitles you to compensation for your pain and suffering, contact an expert personal injury attorney today.