Rear-end traffic accidents are the most common types of collisions on California freeways and boulevards. You might watch in your rearview mirror as a careless driver comes up from behind you too fast and strikes you. You could also be taken by complete surprise as a jolt from behind launches your car and your body forward.
You and your passengers could suffer serious injuries, including painful damage to neck muscles and tendons. Whiplash often leaves victims in pain for days or weeks, and sometimes that pain doesn’t go away.
A California whiplash injury victim should receive all necessary support after a reckless driver has caused an accident. However, insurance companies don’t make it an easy process to earn compensation.
Victims often have to check with a skilled California personal injury lawyer to find out every benefit available to them. You can explore your best options for securing the most in compensation from your whiplash liability claim by contacting Maison Law for a free case consultation.
Whiplash Symptoms After a California Traffic Accident
Whiplash results from the violent motion of the head and neck being thrown forward and back. These injuries often occur in rear-end collisions, but they could happen in any sort of impact.
An impact might leave victims with pain in the neck, arm, back, or shoulders. This pain can last a few days, a few weeks, or settle in as long-term pain for the injured.
Mild cases of whiplash cause headaches, neck pain, stiffness, and dizziness. A more severe case causes pain and difficulty moving the upper body over a longer period. Vertigo, memory loss and a tingling sensation in the arms is also reported.
Researchers are still trying to understand how whiplash occurs. This means they aren’t always in agreement on the best treatment options. X-rays and MRIs will be conducted. Patients could be on powerful painkillers and muscle relaxers. They also often see a chiropractor or osteopath.
Expensive physical therapy over months could be required. It’s a California Traumatic Injury Lawyer’s duty to see that victims don’t face these financial burdens alone.
What to Do After a California Car Accident Involving Whiplash
To secure a compensation check that doesn’t leave you stuck with bills for your recovery, it’s critical to provide the at-fault driver’s insurance company with as much evidence as possible.
Insurance adjusters will try to attach blame to you and could also question if your injury is as serious as doctors say. The evidence you and your California whiplash lawyer provide makes it difficult for insurance providers to wriggle out of taking full responsibility. Your personal injury lawyer works to make sure you earn the most compensation possible for what you’ve been through and what you may still face in the coming years.
The scene of your accident will be the first place that evidence should be collected. While experiencing whiplash pain, you may not feel up to gathering details on the scene. If you can’t, ask someone with you or a helpful witness to grab these crucial elements:
- Contact 911. Tell responding officers everything you remember. Allow EMTs to check over every pain you have. Go to the emergency room if necessary.
- Take cellphone photos and videos. Document the entire scene by showing the damage to cars and fenders. Takes pictures of traffic signs, traffic lights, and lane markings. Show any visible injuries and damaged clothing and personal property.
- Discuss with witnesses what they observed. Get contact information so your California Whiplash Injury Lawyer can reach them later.
- Scan the scene for any mounted cameras on businesses or homes that may have recorded the collision. Find out if witnesses in other vehicles had dashcams on.
- Exchange information with everyone involved. If an at-fault driver is working for a rideshare, or a delivery or trucking company, be sure to get their employee information.
- Make an appointment with your physician to get your neck looked at and any other injuries documented. Go see any neck or physical therapy specialist your doctor advises.
- Keep any damaged clothing and personal items. Don’t throw away your neck brace after you are done with it.
What Kinds of Documents Do I Need After a Car Accident?
One important document your California personal injury lawyer will be securing for you is the police collision report. The determination of how a collision occurred and who was at fault should show that you weren’t to blame. Rear-end accidents are usually cut-and-dry as far as blame goes, but insurance companies can still try to question an accident report.
You’ll need medical records and billing invoices for every examination and visit you’ve made to doctors, physical therapists, surgeons, and other specialists. The receipts for any travel services you need to reach your appointments while you are unable to drive should also be presented.
Income records are key to show how much money you’ve lost while having to miss time at work. It may also be helpful to keep a journal of your experiences. This journal should contain everything you remember from the day of the accident. It should also mark each appointment you have involving your injury and claim.
Making Sure Your Emotional Damages Are Included in a Whiplash Claim
Your California personal injury lawyer strives to secure full payment on medical costs for whiplash victims. Insurance companies should also reimburse you for all lost income you’ve endured during recovery. This includes any time at work you are expected to miss in the future.
To get the absolute maximum compensation out of your whiplash injury claim, you’ll also need to include the non-economic damages you’ve suffered.
The physical pain you endure through a whiplash recovery can be hard to put a dollar amount on, but that suffering must factor into any settlement check you receive. A careless driver caused your injury and left you to manage pain over days, months, or even for a lifetime. The insurance provider backing the driver must be held accountable.
The emotional trauma you suffer is another non-economic damage that must factor in. You may suffer PTSD symptoms while reliving the California traffic accident in your mind. You could also face anxiety and depression over your constant neck pain and the activities you are forced to give up. These hardships should all contribute to a higher settlement amount.
How Long Do I Have to File an Accident Claim Over a Whiplash Injury?
You have up to two years to file a claim over a whiplash injury in California. This may seem like you have a long time, but you are encouraged to seek legal counsel and file a claim as soon as possible.
To get the most out of your insurance claim over a whiplash injury, you’ll want to turn over your case to a skilled California personal injury lawyer as soon after an accident as you can. Your attorney’s investigation into your case will be much easier when evidence is still fresh and documents are still readily available. It’s also key to keep track of witnesses who can move away and become harder to contact after months or years have gone by.
The sooner your case and your strong evidence are presented to an insurance company, the sooner you can hope to receive the full compensation you need.
Contact Maison Law Serving California Whiplash Victims
The main duties of a personal injury lawyer are to ensure that victims receive fair treatment and earn the most in a settlement over their injury claim. That’s particularly important in whiplash cases because the chances of future issues for the patient are so high. Those potential costs must be seen to now because you won’t be able to ask the insurance company for more money after a settlement agreement is signed.
Martin Gasparian offers a free case evaluation for all whiplash victims. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your injury is worth and how to make sure you receive everything that’s fair for the hardships you’ve faced. Contact Mr. Gasparian to schedule a free consultation and talk to a real lawyer today.
