Personal Injury Attorney Serving Whiplash Victims throughout Kentucky
Whiplash is not a well-understood injury – especially in car accident cases. Because most people picture the injured victim wearing a neck brace and claiming serious injuries, while not really suffering from those injuries, whiplash has become a bit taboo. In reality, whiplash is a real injury that causes real pain and can disrupt the victim’s life. For some, the pain is long-term and can even affect their personal relationships, as well as their careers. If you have been giving into the myths of whiplash, now is the time to set the record straight.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is typically caused when a person is struck from behind. The impact of that strike violently forces the vehicle and victim forward and then backward. It results in damage to the soft tissue – including nerves, muscles, joints, etc. The damage can vary, while the pain may take several hours or days to manifest.
Myth #1: Most whiplash symptoms will disappear in a few days.
There is a common misconception that whiplash is a temporary symptom and that the discomfort will subside in a few days after the injury. For most, it could take a month or longer for whiplash to become bearable. In some cases, victims will experience pain for longer – sometimes up to a year or more.
Those suffering from whiplash often have neck pain, stiffness in the shoulders, chronic headaches, or other severe symptoms.
Myth #2: No win, no fee contracts encourage fake injury claims.
While it is true that there are some people out there who will file a false claim, the majority of those who claim whiplash from a car accident are real victims. Attorneys offer no win, no fee contracts with injured parties so that injured victims are not bullied by insurance companies or avoid seeking the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Even if the case is lost, at least the victim was able to try to get compensation for property damage, medical bills and lost wages. People shouldn’t be afraid to file a claim for their serious injuries – and no fee from an attorney is what encourages truly injured parties to get help.
Myth #3: Whiplash is impossible to diagnose and doctors are not required to receive compensation.
While it is true the pain will not show up during an x-ray and soft tissue damage is difficult to see with diagnostic tests, the lack of proof via tests does not mean that a person is faking his or her symptoms. A victim who is truly suffering from whiplash will need a physician to help manage the pain in the recovery process. To have a successful personal injury claim, you need to see a physician and have a professional diagnosis. Without a formal diagnosis, you cannot file an injury claim.
Myth #4: Injured people do not need an attorney – they can simply deal with the insurance claims adjuster.
Those suffering from whiplash often assume that they have a minor injury; therefore, it is not worth the cost of an attorney. One of the worst things you can do in an injury claim is deal with an insurance claims adjuster on your own. Insurance companies are there to make money and limit their losses, which means that they will do whatever they can to lower the amount of settlement you receive. Most adjusters will act as though they are your friend, or even offer what appears to be a generous settlement. But, an attorney can help you accurately calculate how much you truly deserve – including future medical bills that you cannot anticipate.
Contact Gladstein Law Firm Today
If you have been injured in a car accident and are suffering from whiplash, contact Gladstein Law Firm. With our team of dedicated experts, we can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call us to schedule a free consultation or fill out our online contact form with your questions.
