What to Do If You Have Suffered Whiplash in an Accident
Suffering whiplash after a car accident might not seem serious, but it can be. When you sustain whiplash following a crash, depending on the severity and extent of the injury, it could result in other complications, such as chronic pain and brain trauma, which could heal in time or lead to lifelong disability. Your entire life can be easily derailed by your injuries, and you shouldn’t have to suffer due to someone else’s negligent actions.
Important Steps to Follow After Suffering a Whiplash Injury After an Accident
It’s important to note that if you have suffered any kind of injury, not just whiplash, after an accident, you should follow these steps to protect your health and injury claim:
- Seek medical attention right away. Your doctor will examine you and check whatever injuries you may have. Your doctor will order some imaging tests to confirm if you have whiplash or see if you suffered other injuries. You will also receive treatment and instructions for care and recovery.
- Follow your doctor’s orders to the letter. These orders might include getting sufficient rest, immobilizing your neck, taking medications, and going to all your follow-up appointments. Failing to follow your doctor’s orders can hurt your claim.
- Save all documentation and evidence related to the accident and your whiplash injury. These include your medical records and receipts, prescriptions, police report, witness testimonies, and photos and videos of the accident scene. These will help support your claim for financial compensation from the at-fault party.
- Document your whiplash injury. Keep a daily journal of how you are feeling from day to day and take photos and videos if you can. Do not leave out any details of your symptoms because your lawyer can use your journal to support your case and secure maximum compensation for your damages.
- Limit communications with the liable party and their insurance provider. Never share details of your treatment and accident with anyone else except your attorney. You may inadvertently give the liable party information that they can twist and use against you.
You should likewise discuss your case with a Sarasota car accident attorney. Unfortunately, insurance providers always dispute claims involving whiplash, so many accident victims usually have a difficult time obtaining the compensation they need to cover their losses.
Since whiplash symptoms don’t always appear right after an accident, it may be challenging to prove that the injury occurred because of the crash. This is why personal injury claims involving whiplash are usually tricky to navigate.
Consult With an Experienced Sarasota Car Accident Attorney Now
Like all injuries that can result from car accidents, whiplash must be accurately diagnosed by experienced doctors who can identify the injury’s exact nature and extent and provide proper medical treatment promptly. Find out how the Sarasota car accident attorneys of Matthews Injury Law can help if you or a loved one suffered whiplash after an accident. Set up your free case evaluation with our Sarasota car accident attorney by contacting us online or calling 941-877-5800.