Are whiplash injuries considered serious?
A common injury sustained in car accidents is whiplash. Whiplash is a type of neck injury and while most cases are not considered serious, there are times when the injury can be. Whiplash happens when a person’s neck is thrown forward and backward in a forceful motion, which often happens in rear-end and head-on collisions.
If an individual thinks they may have suffered whiplash in a car crash, they should seek medical attention right away so that a physician can diagnose their condition and recommend treatment. They should also consider contacting a West Virginia accident lawyer if they are looking to recover compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc.
How does an individual know if their whiplash injury is serious?
When an individual suffers whiplash, they might experience the following symptoms1:
- Shoulder and neck pain
- Dizziness
- Pain or numbness in the arm or hand
- Shoulder or lower back pain
- Tiredness
- Irritability
When these symptoms are severe enough to where they interfere with a person’s physical abilities and they are unable to work or partake in the activities they once were able to prior to the accident, then their injury might be considered more serious. Individuals who sustained a severe whiplash injury would benefit from consulting with an accident lawyer in West Virginia as they can help them understand their right to compensation.
How long does it take for a whiplash injury to heal?
The answer depends on how serious the injury is. While John Hopkins Medicine says some whiplash injuries heal within a few weeks or a few months, others can take longer. A physician should be able to determine how severe a whiplash injury is and provide a patient with an estimated timeframe for how long it will take for them to recover.
Can a car accident victim recover compensation for a whiplash injury in West Virginia?
In most cases, a whiplash injury victim should be able to recover compensation for their injuries from the insurance company and/or the party who hit them. Because West Virginia identifies as an at-fault state, anyone who engages in a car accident that isn’t their fault is usually entitled to file an insurance claim with the insurer of the party liable for the collision.
In the event insurance limits are reached and a victim isn’t able to recover enough to cover their accident-related expenses, then they may be able to bring a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
If a car accident victim suffered a whiplash injury and/or any other type of injury and is looking to obtain financial relief, the West Virginia accident attorneys at Kaufman & McPherson, PLLC are qualified and ready to help.
Kaufman & McPherson, PLLC can be reached at:
16 Sterling Drive, Suite 205
Bridgeport, West Virginia 26330
Phone: 304-449-5161
Website: www.wvattorneys.com
Source:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/whiplash-injury