The High Cost of Whiplash After a Car Accident

Here’s whiplash can be more serious than you think, and how costly it can get if the impact was serious, or if you don’t treat it in a timely manner.

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in a car accident. The problem with it is that it can often be overlooked because the symptoms might appear late. It’s a kind of injury that some victims consider to be minor discomfort, only to notice that it gets worse with time.

Here’s whiplash can be more serious than you think, and how costly it can get if the impact was serious, or if you don’t treat it in a timely manner.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a name given to a certain type of trauma to the neck or spine that involves a rapid back-and-forth movement of the head when your car crashes into something. It’s a common type of injury in rear-end accidents since your head will inevitably move forward, with nothing else absorbing the shock.

Unfortunately, whiplash cannot be prevented by the use of the seatbelt, but properly adjusted headrests and functioning airbags can reduce the impact your neck or back is taking

What Are the Complications of Whiplash?

One of the issues with whiplash is that it might be noticed later, with many of the victims thinking they don’t really need a doctor’s visit. This can adversely affect your health and your car accident claim. It is always a good idea to go to see a doctor after an accident, even if you think you feel ok after an accident.

If left untreated, whiplash can lead to degenerative problems with your back and neck. You might experience stiffness and chronic pain, and even more serious back problems that might affect your nerves or bones. Other side effects of an untreated whiplash are migraines, depression, and sleep deprivation.

As you might suspect, whiplash doesn’t appear to be so harmless anymore once you start feeling its effects every single day, for months after the accident.

Treatments for Whiplash

To give you an idea about the settlement that should cover a whiplash injury, here are some of the treatments a victim if whiplash might need:

Physical therapy
Operation
Medication
Rest

How Much Is the Average Settlement for Whiplash?

Depending on how serious whiplash is, and how much medical treatment it needs, whiplash can get you a more or less substantial settlement. In order to calculate the amount you will get, you have to include your missed working hours, all medical bills, pain and suffering, property damage, all the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered. Because each case is unique, it is important to have an experienced attorney review your claim to help you determine the full amount you are entitled to.