How Much is my Whiplash Injury Worth? Claims & Payouts

February 21, 2022 | Car Accidents \ Whiplash Injuries

In the U.S. whiplash injuries account for more than 65% of car accident injuries. The severity of whiplash varies but can prove to be permanent in some cases. If you or someone you care about has suffered whiplash injuries in an accident, the settlement amount that can be recovered depends entirely on your case’s specific details. After seeking immediate medical attention, you or your loved one should speak with a whiplash injuries lawyer and discuss your case’s legal options.

What are Whiplash Injuries?

Whiplash injuries affect a person’s neck and can cause severe neck stiffness, headaches, and other neck/head symptoms in car accident victims. Whiplash doesn’t always immediately present itself and can take as long as a week for symptoms to surface. Car accident victims must seek prompt medical attention after a crash, but it is equally as important to pay attention to how you’re feeling in the weeks after the crash. If you suspect that you have sustained whiplash injuries in an accident, get examined by medical personnel and then contact a lawyer to discuss your options for recovering compensation for medical bills, pain, and suffering, or another suffering that has occurred because of your whiplash injuries.

How is a Whiplash Injury Settlement Determined?

The settlement amount that a car accident victim receives for their whiplash injuries is based on the circumstances of the accident, who is at fault, the severity of the whiplash injuries, and more. Since each whiplash injury is different, injured accident victims are often left wondering if the settlement amount they’ve been offered is enough. There is no “magic settlement number” or average to aim for. Instead, you should look at how your injuries have affected your life, how much they’ve already cost you, and how much they will continue to adversely affect your future.

An experienced car accident lawyer can look at your case and give you a better idea of how much compensation you can expect to receive. Since whiplash cases can settle for thousands or millions of dollars, it is in your best interest to have an attorney representing you throughout the legal process.

To receive the highest amount of damages and recoveries for your whiplash injuries, it is crucial to document the scene of the accident right after it happens. If your injuries prevent you from doing this, send a close friend to do it for you. Then, seek medical help and call your car accident lawyer. The quicker you act after a car accident, the stronger your case will be. If you wait too long after a car accident occurs to report it or your whiplash injuries, you risk not being able to recover compensation due to your state’s statute of limitations law or even deterioration of evidence.

There are many different factors that affect the amount of your settlement for your whiplash injuries. First and foremost, whiplash must be diagnosed by medical personnel. A licensed physician can determine the severity of your injuries, whether injuries are semi-permanent or permanent, and how much it will cost to treat your injuries. All of this will be documented in an official medical report that can be used in your injury claim with your lawyer.

Some of the other factors that are considered for whiplash injury settlements include:

• Lost wages
• Prescriptions
• Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation
• Medical Accessories (heating pads, muscle salves, etc.)
• The victim’s amount of liability (if any) in the accident

Your car accident lawyer will need to work closely with your medical team to determine how your whiplash injury will affect your life – and future. No two cases are ever quite the same. That is why it is important to have a knowledgeable car accident attorney working for you and protecting your rights.

Insurance companies are quick to dismiss these claims. They are difficult to prove because there is no definitive test to show whiplash. Instead, doctors and medical professionals use a variety of tests, physical examinations, and symptoms to make a diagnosis of whiplash. In addition, since these injuries can take time to develop, insurance adjusters are skeptical when they suddenly show up weeks after the accident. As such, they tend to offer whiplash injury victims only a fraction of what they truly need to recover. These lowball offers are never acceptable and if you sign this offer, you might be left paying for your future medical expenses on your own.

Do not sign anything without first speaking to an experienced car accident lawyer. Your attorney can make sure you receive the maximum compensation and settlement for your whiplash injuries.

How Can a Whiplash Injuries Lawyer Help Me?

Whiplash injuries are a common occurrence in car accidents. If you have suffered whiplash in an accident, consult with a personal injury lawyer immediately after your accident. Your lawyer will protect you during this time, make sure that your claim is rock-solid and ensure that you won’t settle for less than your whiplash injuries deserve. Your attorney will also ensure that you do not miss any crucial deadlines, like the statute of limitations, when filing your claim.

An experienced car accident lawyer has the legal knowledge needed to assess your personal case and quickly come up with a strong plan for recovering the most in compensation for your whiplash injuries claim. Unsure if you can afford a lawyer? Most use a contingency plan and will only require payment if they successfully win damages for your case. Still, need convincing? Schedule a free consultation with the Dixon Injury Firm to learn more about how our lawyers can win the most for your whiplash injuries settlement.