There are many different ways a car accident can cause injuries. These include broken bones, cuts, burns, and soft tissue injuries like whiplash.
Whiplash refers to any painful neck injury. It can result from stretching and strains to the tendons, ligaments, or muscles in the neck. Whiplash occurs when the head is violently “whipped” forward and back or vice versa. This is where the name whiplash comes from. It is common for car accident victims to suffer whiplash.
The injury may be severe enough to seek treatment for the condition. Doctors may treat whiplash among other things with prescription medication, physical therapy, electrical stimulation, or chiropractic manipulations. To limit movements, doctors may order a cervical collar while the patient recovers from whiplash.
Yes, If Another Party was At Fault for your Accident
You may recover compensation for your medical bills and expenses through a personal injury claim. To do this, you must demonstrate the following:
- Another party had the duty to take reasonable care to prevent an accident. In a car accident claim, this refers to the duty to obey posted speed limits, traffic signs, and avoid breaking other traffic laws;
- The party somehow breached his or her duty to prevent an accident. Speeding, driving drunk, following too closely, and texting while driving are examples of this type of breach;
- By breaching his or her duty to others, the driver caused an accident that resulted in your injuries; and
- The driver caused injury in terms of medical expenses or loss of earnings.
In California, most accidents victims have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. File your personal injury claim ahead of this deadline. Give yourself and your lawyer sufficient time to negotiate an appropriate settlement.
Recovering Compensation for your Whiplash Damages
You can demonstrate that your injuries and financial damages were the direct result of another party’s negligence by providing evidence showing how the accident occurred and how it caused you to be injured. Evidence you can use to support your claim includes:
- Photographs of the accident;
- The official police report for the accident;
- Eyewitness testimonies of the accident;
- Documentation showing when you were out of work, what you earn, and the amount of earnings you missed because you were out to recover;
- Your medical bills; and
- Commentary from your doctor discussing the injury and your prognosis.
Work with an Experienced Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer
If an accident that could have been prevented if another party had taken greater care to reduce the likelihood of it happening caused injuries, you can seek compensation for your related monetary damages through a personal injury claim. To learn more about your rights, your legal options, and how to move forward with your claim, contact The Beliz Law Firm today to set up your free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. Call us at 562-452-3772.