If you have been involved in a car accident, it is a good idea to receive a medical evaluation for whiplash, even if you are not yet experiencing any pain or other symptoms. Even minor collisions have the potential to cause injury to the neck and spine, and it is better to receive prompt medical attention now than to find out later that your injury has worsened over time.
Also known as Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD), whiplash is caused by a sudden jolting of the neck and shoulders when the force of an impact thrusts the head and body forward. Inertia forces the head to keep moving while the seat belt holds the body back, potentially causing ligaments, muscles, and tendons to become torn or sprained.
Symptoms may not immediately appear after your accident, but may manifest themselves within hours or days. Common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Back pain
- Neck or shoulder pain/stiffness
- Pain or soreness in the jaw
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness and/or vomiting
- Weakness in arms
If you have been involved in a car accident and have experienced whiplash or any other injury, keep the following tips in mind to maximize the effectiveness of your claim:
- Seek medical attention. Always opt to seek medical attention after a strenuous experience like a car accident. Delaying seeking medical care is one of the biggest mistakes personal injury victims make. The quicker you see a doctor, the more credible your claim will be, but the longer you wait, the easier it will be for an insurance adjuster to claim that your injuries were not serious.
- Choose a credible doctor. Using independent, reputable doctors will help ensure that your claim is taken seriously by insurance adjusters. Seek the care of your primary care physician first, and if necessary, they can refer you to other doctors or specialists.
- Carefully document your medical care. Proper medical documentation will go a long way in making your claim more easily provable. Establish a paper trail including ER admission forms, medical charts, CT scans or MRIs, blood tests, doctor’s notes, X-Rays, or other proof of medical treatment. Also, include any documentation related to follow-up care or your future prognosis.
- Do not delay in getting legal help. A lawyer who has extensive experience handling personal injury claims related to car accidents can help increase your chances of achieving a positive result. Do not try to handle your claim on your own; insurance adjusters are more likely to diminish your claim when they know you are without representation. A lawyer knows the best strategies to help you get the compensation you deserve and is not afraid to go up against large insurance companies.
If you have suffered a whiplash injury in Nevada, contact the Las Vegas car accident attorneys at Shook & Stone to talk about your legal options for filing a personal injury claim. We have provided compassionate support to injury victims since 1997 and have recovered millions of dollars worth of compensation for our clients. We are available to help with any case, big or small.
For a free consultation, click here to fill out an online contact form, or call 702-570-0000.
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