If you have suffered a serious whiplash injury due to an accident in Long Beach, you should contact a lawyer from the Madison Law Group. We offer free case evaluations to help you figure out the best path forward.
Whiplash Associated Disorder, also referred to as simply whiplash, is a serious injury that may result in permanent damage. Whiplash can cause life-long pain and suffering, mobility issues, and other problems. Though most people believe that whiplash is a minor injury, this is not always the case.
If you or someone you love have sustained a serious whiplash injury due to a traffic accident, you may be eligible to collect financial compensation for your injuries and losses. Consider contacting a Long Beach whiplash accident attorney from the Madison Law Group by calling (213) 893-4406 so we can help you understand your legal options.
Dangers of Whiplash
Information gathered from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that whiplash happens when a person’s neck is forced into sharp back-and-forth movements. This usually happens during sudden dangerous events like traffic collisions. Oftentimes, whiplash injuries may result in minor discomfort that lasts for a few days or weeks. However, whiplash can cause serious, long-lasting and debilitating symptoms.
In America, over two million people suffer injuries like whiplash each year, according to information provided by the National Safety Council. Although whiplash usually does not result in outward physical marks, it can be extremely painful and severely affect your ability to complete daily tasks. Car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions, often result in whiplash injuries.
If you have sustained accident-related whiplash, you may qualify for financial compensation. At the Madison Law Group, we are highly experienced with personal injury law. Our informed Long Beach whiplash accident attorneys know how to help those victimized in car accidents recover full and fair financial compensation for their injuries and losses. Call us now to request a free, no-obligation consultation.
When whiplash injuries are severe, the person affected will likely need ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and even pain medications. If you were involved in a car crash, you should keep an eye out for symptoms of whiplash, as they may not be apparent until hours or even days following your car accident.
Seeking assistance from a skilled medical professional as soon as possible after being in a car wreck is always in your best interest. You should also contact your doctor if your previously treated symptoms worsen. Additionally, following the advice of your doctor or therapist regarding treatments, rest, therapy, and medications is imperative for both your health and the outcome of any potential personal injury claim.
Symptoms of Whiplash
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) lists whiplash as a soft tissue injury and associates numerous symptoms with it. It is vital to keep in mind that you may not immediately experience these symptoms after your accident, possibly because of anxiety, stress, or adrenaline.
Some common symptoms listed by the Mayo Clinic include myofascial pain in ligaments and muscles, dizziness, headaches, upper back pain, neck pain, prickling, burning, fuzzy thinking, cognitive impairment, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, limited mobility, muscle spasms, tenderness, stiffness, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, nervousness, fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbances.
If you developed whiplash and experienced any of these symptoms after your accident, consider speaking with a skilled Long Beach whiplash accident attorney about filing a personal injury claim. At the Madison Law Group, we can help ensure your legal rights are protected and exercised so you can see a fair resolution to your claim.
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
Whiplash can last for several months and significantly impact your life. You may find it more difficult to complete daily activities. Although the majority of whiplash cases are resolved within months, some individuals may experience painful symptoms for a longer duration of time. Whiplash may sometimes continue to cause pain and suffering for years after your accident. Sometimes, those victimized in auto accidents may experience serious recurring neck pain, headaches, and other symptoms.
Medical Treatments for Whiplash
Each whiplash victim will experience their own unique set of circumstances surrounding their injuries. While the following information outlines different medical treatments usually prescribed for whiplash, anyone who suffers from whiplash should follow the advice their doctor gives them in order to properly resolve their symptoms and overcome their injuries. Treatment for whiplash often includes part or all of the following:
- Visiting with a doctor
- Physical therapy
- Possible surgery
- Receiving diagnostic testing (such as a CT scan or MRI scan)
- Neck brace
- Possible chiropractic assistance
- Muscle relaxers
- Pain meds
- Rest
It is critical for you to remember to follow the advice given to you by your healthcare providers regarding your own personal case of whiplash. Following their instructions also allows you to successfully demonstrate that your injuries were not only caused by your accident but also that any pain/suffering you are going through is directly related to your accident and the injuries that followed.
In some cases, people who suffer from whiplash injuries will also suffer from other severe injuries like nerve damage, spinal cord damage, and brain injuries.
Insurance Claims Involving Whiplash
Oftentimes, whiplash patients face a difficult battle when they attempt to deal with the insurance company. They may struggle to convince the insurance adjuster of the validity and severity of their injuries. Unfortunately, insurance companies may attempt to deny full and fair compensation for injuries and losses suffered by those victimized in car accidents, especially when the main injury is whiplash.
If you attempt to negotiate with the insurance company by yourself, it is important to understand that most insurance companies practice deceptive and manipulative tactics in order to get you to settle for less compensation than you deserve, or no compensation at all. The following should be taken into consideration when speaking with the insurance company:
- Never provide an insurance adjuster with your full medical history. They will attempt to find any pre-existing conditions or injuries they can use to say that your whiplash injury was not caused by your recent car accident.
- Insurance companies usually record conversations, but you do not have to consent to this. Anything you say to them could be used against you in the future when you attempt to collect the maximum compensation available for your injuries and losses.
- Never talk to an insurance company representative while you’re still in the emergency room after your accident, still in the hospital, or, under the influence of painkillers or muscle relaxers. Things said in these types of situations, when you are under stress, in pain, or influenced in any other way, may prove to be detrimental to your final settlement.
- Never post any information about your accident or injuries on social media, especially while you await a determination regarding your settlement offer. An insurance company can and will use your posts against you in order to attempt to reduce your settlement offer. It is best to just not post on social media at all while you are trying to obtain compensation for an injury that was due to someone else’s negligence, such as a car wreck.
Who is at Risk for Whiplash?
Anyone of any age can experience whiplash. However, according to information provided by Rush University, the academic arm of Rush University Medical Center, people who are older with neck arthritis may endure more severe cases of whiplash. Additionally, older adults may have less strength and flexibility in their necks, increasing the harm related to the vigorous back-and-forth movements associated with classic whiplash.
What are the Most Common Whiplash Accidents?
Several causes of whiplash exist. One of the most prominent is car accidents. When a vehicle shoots forward and comes to a sudden stop, whiplash commonly occurs. In fact, rear-end accidents are the main cause of whiplash. When a vehicle strikes another car from the back, the force of the crash usually causes individuals inside either car to sustain physical harm. If you were struck from behind in a vehicle collision, you may have experienced vigorous movements of your neck, which is essentially whiplash.
Although rear-end accidents are a major source of whiplash injuries, whiplash can result from any injury that makes your neck move back and forth forcefully and quickly. The second most common cause of whiplash is sports injuries. Suppose a hockey player gets struck in the face with a ball. In such a case, the immense force of the ball may have caused the player’s neck to snap back. Consequently, the player may suffer whiplash injuries. Physical abuse is the third most common cause of whiplash. A physical assault may cause whiplash injuries when a person suffers blows to the head during an attack, forcing their head back quickly and suddenly. In that case, the victim may experience whiplash.
A whiplash accident attorney can help you recover if you were hurt in an accident. Especially if you know that your crash was caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to collect financial compensation for a long list of damages.
What Can You Do if You Experience Whiplash?
If you experience whiplash, in a car accident or another type of incident, you should consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer. But even before doing that, you should make sure to get medically evaluated as soon as possible after the injury occurs.
Since physical marks may not be left by whiplash, some people may not realize they need medical treatment immediately. The symptoms could appear several days after the accident, making it hard to relate the accident to the pain the person is feeling.
Seeing a healthcare provider is a smart move if you suspect you are suffering from whiplash. Whiplash can be excruciatingly painful and worsen your quality of life. Also, if you need to pursue a personal injury claim for damages related to your whiplash, you will need good medical records to show the correlation between the accident and your whiplash symptoms.
Speaking with a knowledgeable Long Beach car accident lawyer who can help you pursue financial compensation is one way to help cover the costs of your medical treatment. The skilled Long Beach car accident lawyers at the Madison Law Group will collect all available medical records of your injury, including charts, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, etc. Your lawyer will use these to prove your injuries are real and are a result of someone else’s negligence, to ensure that you are fully and fairly compensated for your injuries and damages.
Can You Make an Insurance Claim for Whiplash?
Yes, you may need to make an insurance claim if you were hurt in a car accident. Unfortunately, the insurance company may try to deny your claim. If you attempt to negotiate with an insurance agent without the help of a skilled car accident lawyer, you may feel more easily pressured and intimidated into settling for less compensation than you deserve or are legally entitled to.
Was the Other Driver Responsible for Your Whiplash?
If you suffered whiplash because of a car accident, you may be wondering whether the other driver can be held responsible for your injury, potentially qualifying you for financial compensation. If you are able to demonstrate that the other driver was negligent, and, as a result, caused the accident that harmed you, you may hold them responsible for your accident and the injuries that followed. In order to establish negligence on their part, you and your lawyer must be able to successfully prove the following:
- The other driver possessed a duty of care to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner on the road.
- They breached this duty of care when they struck your vehicle.
- You suffered whiplash as a result of the car accident.
- The whiplash caused damages which can be evidenced with medical bills and other documentation.
Despite the fact that proving negligence may seem straightforward, it is often extremely difficult. The defendant may take measures to disprove your claim or the severity of your injuries.
A skilled and experienced car accident attorney from the Madison Law Group knows exactly what needs to be done to prove liability and get you the compensation you deserve. When you work with a car accident lawyer from our firm, you are giving yourself the best shot at receiving full and fair financial compensation for the damages you may have endured related to your injuries.
Common Damages in Car Accident Claims
Some common damages that often result from car accidents and injuries include:
- Medical bills: The cost associated with sustaining a serious car accident injury depends on the nature and severity of the injuries themselves. On average, hospital bills pertaining to severe auto accident injuries can range in tens of thousands of dollars.
- Vehicle repairs/replacement: After a serious car crash, your vehicle may be severely damaged or even totaled. When you file a personal injury claim for financial compensation, you may be able to be compensated for the costs related to repairing or totally replacing your vehicle.
- Lost wages: Due to the severity of your injuries, you may be stuck in the hospital or at home, unable to work, thus, losing much-needed paychecks. Financial compensation can cover past earnings, as well as lost future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: If your injuries have had a significant and negative impact on your life and ability to live it to the fullest, you may be suffering a great deal. On top of physical and debilitating pain, you may be suffering from stress, anxiety, and more. You have the right to seek compensation for your pain and suffering.
- Emotional turmoil: Stress, anxiety, and depression are all common after a serious car accident. These can be just as debilitating, if not more so, than physical injuries. Despite the fact that it is difficult to put a price on intangible damages, your attorney will give you valuable advice on how to demonstrate the extent to which your accident and injuries have affected your life so you can receive financial compensation that may ease some of the pain you may be facing, both physical and emotional.
Compensation for Long Beach Car Accident Victims
It is important to remember that every case is unique and presents its own set of challenges, as well as its own list of damages. Your car crash lawyer from the Madison Law Group will tailor their approach to meet your specific needs and provide you with the maximum compensation available for the losses and damages you may be facing.
Financial compensation can allow you to recover more quickly and easily after a serious car accident. When you do not have to worry about money, you may be able to focus better on your own physical health, emotional well-being, and that of your family members. At the Madison Law Group, our main goal is to help our clients get their lives back on track after they were derailed by the actions of a negligent driver.
Whiplash Claim Statute Of Limitations
The California Courts website states that the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in California is as follows:
- Personal Injury Claim: The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in California is two years from the day the crash occurred. This means that you have two years from the date of your crash in which to file a lawsuit against the responsible driver.
- Property Damage Claim: If you are filing a property damage claim following an auto collision, the statute of limitations in the Golden State is three years from the day the crash happened. You must file a lawsuit against the driver at fault within three years of your crash date if you wish to collect financial compensation for damage to your vehicle or personal property.
If your claim is not filed within the statute of limitations, you will likely lose the legal right to collect financial compensation for your injuries and losses. Therefore, it is vital to talk to a Long Beach car crash attorney as soon as possible to ensure you build your case and file it well within the deadline.
Causes of Car Accidents That Cause Whiplash and Other Injuries in Long Beach
Car accidents happen for a multitude of different reasons in Long Beach and throughout the state of California. Some common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Over the past decade, distracted driving has become a prevalent issue in the United States, and in the state of California. Over 400,000 vehicle collisions happen every year on average due to the actions of distracted drivers in the United States, which is roughly the same number of reported car crashes in California each year. The most common type of distraction displayed by drivers is texting and driving.
- Driver intoxication: Each year, over 30% of reported fatal American car accidents involve an intoxicated driver. Driver intoxication is extremely dangerous, in that intoxicated drivers’ judgment is impaired, lessening their ability to properly react if a situation becomes dangerous on the road. Intoxication also impairs vision and mobility, increasing the chances of a crash occurring.
- Speeding: Speeding is a leading cause of auto accidents throughout the country, accounting for approximately 11,000 deaths per year. When drivers travel at unsafe speeds over the posted limit, they leave themselves with little to no time to react if an accident occurs.
Common Injuries Caused In Car Accidents
A wide range of injuries can result from severe car accidents. Some of the most common injuries that result from car accidents include:
- Whiplash: A soft tissue injury that affects the neck and upper back, whiplash happens when the head is suddenly jerked forward and snapped backward, severely straining muscles and ligaments in the neck, shoulders, and back. This is one of the most common injuries that we see from car wrecks.
- Broken bones: In addition to whiplash, many people also experience broken bones, particularly in the legs, arms, and ribs. Bone breaks can be especially painful and require extensive and invasive medical care like surgery.
- Head injuries: Head injuries are unfortunately rather common in auto collisions, especially if victims are not wearing seatbelts or if their airbags did not deploy. Head trauma can range from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries: Auto collisions can also result in spinal cord injuries which are severe and life-threatening. Spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis and other complications that last for extended periods of time.
- Cuts and bruises: Even simple fender benders can result in cuts, bruises, and abrasions. While these injuries may not be life-threatening, they are still painful and may require medical care.
Seeking the appropriate medical care after a car wreck is extremely important, even if you do not believe that your injuries are severe. Many injuries may not be immediately noticeable by victims, especially whiplash. However, if you do not seek medical care in a timely manner, your injuries may worsen and become more difficult to treat.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Car Accident Case?
How long it takes to resolve an injury car accident case depends on numerous factors, such as the complexity of the case, the severity of your injuries, and the number of people involved. It also depends on the willingness of the involved parties to reach a fair settlement.
Sometimes, a car crash case may resolve quickly, within a few months, especially if the involved individuals are able to come to an agreement concerning a settlement. The insurance companies must also be willing to agree to these terms. However, more complex cases involving serious disputes over liability and/or severe injuries may take much longer to reach a resolution. They may require a trial or other formal legal proceedings.
In general, it can be difficult to form an exact timeline around how long it may take for a car crash case to resolve, as each case is unique and the length of time may vary a great deal depending on the details of the incident. Working with an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you to better understand the legal process and help protect your rights is extremely important if you wish to see a favorable resolution in your case.
What Happens if the Other Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?
If you have sustained serious injuries in a car crash caused by another person, and the other driver involved in your collision is underinsured or doesn’t have any car insurance at all, it may complicate the process of gathering compensation for your whiplash and other injuries. Often, you may qualify for financial compensation through your own personal insurance policy, depending on what type of coverage you carry.
Here are some possible scenarios that may apply:
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: If uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is a part of your own personal insurance policy, it can help cover the costs associated with the damages that resulted from your accident, even if the other driver doesn’t have insurance. This coverage will pay for any medical care you need, lost earnings, pain, suffering, and other damages you have endured. However, the limits and terms of your UM coverage will vary depending on your policy.
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If the other driver has insurance that does not cover the full cost of your damages, you may be able to recover further compensation under your own Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM.) This coverage will help cover the difference between the responsible driver’s insurance policy limits and your total damages.
- Personal Injury Lawsuit: If your own insurance coverage does not provide you with enough compensation to fully recover, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. With the help of a skilled car accident lawyer, you’ll be able to understand your available legal options and maximize your ability to recover full and fair financial compensation.
Experienced Long Beach Car Accident Attorney Ready To Serve You
Our law firm has been helping injured crash victims recover financial compensation since the year 2000. The leader of our legal team, Kyle Madison Esq., has been working with insurance companies since 1988 and has approximately two decades of experience working with personal injury claims. He is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyers in the area and is ready to serve you and your family so you can recover as quickly and fully as possible.
Contact Our Long Beach Car Accident Lawyers
Madison Law Group strives to provide residents of Long Beach with the best whiplash accident attorneys and an overall excellent experience when you work with us. Our personal injury attorneys are fully aware of the difficulties faced by injured crash victims and their family members in the aftermath of their accidents. We know that you need guidance, advice, and professional assistance when it comes to filing a personal injury claim for compensation.
We have made it a personal and professional goal of our firm to make your experience with us pleasant and comfortable. When you contact our law firm to seek legal assistance, we will return your call as soon as possible in order to discuss your claim and viable strategies to assure the best possible resolution for your case, no matter what kind of accident caused your whiplash. If someone else was negligent in causing your injuries, you have the right to pursue compensation, and we want to help.
We offer free case evaluations and charge no up-front or out-of-pocket fees. This is known as a contingency fee basis, where we cover all costs upfront until we win your case. If no settlement or award is recovered, you owe us nothing.