There is a common misconception that whiplash is not a legitimate injury that entitles those injured in a car accident to compensation. Many people make jokes about whiplash and filing lawsuits, especially when they have heard that someone was in a minor car accident. However, the negative connotation surrounding whiplash leads to it being undiagnosed after many car accidents because people never seek treatment. If you were in a car accident and experience neck pain, a Kansas City car accident attorney may be able to help you recover damages for your medical expenses and time you might have missed from work.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that people experience after being involved in a car accident. Whiplash results from quick back-and-forth movement and extension of the neck beyond its normal range of motion. The quick extension of the neck injures the area’s soft tissue and can injure intervertebral joints, ligaments, and discs. Whiplash injuries occur in a variety of situations, but most often occur in conjunction with rear-end collisions.
Sometimes, symptoms of whiplash can be easy to miss as they may be associated with common aches and pains and they make take days after the accident to develop. If you have been involved in an accident, the following symptoms can indicate a whiplash injury. It is important to consult with a doctor to determine the extent of your possible injuries.
Common whiplash symptoms include:
- Neck pain and/or stiffness;
- Headaches;
- Tenderness, tingling, or numbness in the shoulders, upper back or arms;
- Dizziness; and
- Neck pain that gets worse with movement.
Can I Receive Compensation for a Whiplash Injury?
Cases of whiplash can vary in severity. Less severe cases resolve themselves within weeks or months and may only require some pain medication or minor physical therapy. Other more severe cases can lead to chronic pain or other medical issues that can be difficult to treat and can impact a person’s quality of life.
People who suffer from whiplash generally incur medical expenses to treat their symptoms and depending on their job, they may be unable to work for a period of time. If you were injured as a result of another driver’s recklessness, you may be able to recover your current and future medical expenses, along with wages lost if you missed work because of your injury. Because insurance companies will often look at medical bills first, it is important that you seek medical treatment after an accident, even if your pain does not occur until a few days after the accident. For additional information on how to keep track of your medical records and bills, see our related post from earlier this year.
Contact Us
Like many, you may not believe that your neck pain is an injury for which you can receive compensation. Factoring in the hassles related to insurance companies, you may feel that it is not worth it to pursue your claim. However, the attorneys at the Krause & Kinsman Law Firm deal with insurance companies every day and are familiar with their tactics and arguments. If you were injured in a car accident, the best way to make sure that your recover the compensation you deserve is to work with an experienced Kansas City car accident attorney. For a free case evaluation, call us today at 816-200-2900 or fill out our online contact form.
