Whiplash is one of the most commonly reported injuries following a car accident. In fact, there are more than 3 million reported cases of whiplash across the country every year. If you are struggling with a whiplash injury it is important to understand your legal options.
If someone else caused your accident you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Los Angeles whiplash attorneys at Citywide Law Group for help getting the money you deserve.
Understanding Whiplash
Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury that affects the neck. It typically occurs when the head moves back and forth rapidly. Rear-end car accidents are the leading cause of whiplash in Los Angeles. The passengers in the car that is rear-ended are most likely to sustain the injury. Here’s how whiplash usually happens:
- Your car is rear-ended, causing your seat to absorb the force of impact.
- The seat pushes against your back and compresses the spine up toward your head.
- Your torso moves toward the front of the car while your head presses into the seat. This causes your spine to move out of proper alignment.
- Your head moves backward violently and then accelerates forward rapidly.
- Your seatbelt keeps your body in place but can make the neck movement more pronounced.
Whiplash can include damage to soft-tissue, intervertebral discs, the cervical spine, and your joints.
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries. Research shows that most whiplash victims are female. In fact, women are five times more likely than men to suffer a whiplash injury. Age is also a factor. Accident victims between the ages of 30 and 50 are most likely to suffer whiplash.
Contact a Los Angeles car accident attorney at Citywide Law Group today to find out how we can assist you.
Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash symptoms may appear immediately after an accident. Other times, signs of the injury may not develop until days or weeks after the accident. If you have been in a rear-end car accident in Los Angeles, it is important to be on the lookout for any of the following whiplash symptoms:
- Neck pain
- Stiff neck
- Neck pain more pronounced with movement
- Limited range of motion in the neck
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Ringing in the ears
- Memory problems
- Irritability, or
- Depression and anxiety.
You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience pain or numbness that radiates through your shoulders, arms, or back. These signs can be indicative of a very serious whiplash injury. Your doctor will be able to assess your injury and make sure that it is treated properly.
Other Causes of Whiplash
Car accidents are the leading cause of whiplash in Los Angeles. However, it is possible to sustain a whiplash injury even if you aren’t in a crash. Other causes of whiplash include:
- Slips and falls
- Bus accidents
- Boating accidents
- Lyft Accidents
- Recreational vehicle accidents
- Uber Accidents
- Assault, and
- Sports accidents.
Have you suffered a whiplash injury in a Los Angeles accident? Contact Citywide Law Group to find out how we can help you recover compensation. We offer a free consultation, so do not hesitate to call us for help today.
Damages Available to Whiplash Victims
Whiplash may seem like a relatively minor injury. However, whiplash victims can suffer from their neck injury for months before symptoms fade away. In fact, symptoms typically last for more than 6 months in the overwhelming majority of whiplash victims. It can be very difficult to live your life while recovering from whiplash. Chronic pain and a limited range of movement often sideline accident victims from work for an average of 2 months. Without an income, it can be difficult to pay medical bills and make ends meet.
If someone else caused your whiplash injury you have the right to file a lawsuit for damages. Recovering a financial settlement from the person responsible for your injury can make your life a little bit easier. In Los Angeles, you can typically recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are awarded to help you deal with the financial costs of your accident and injury. Receiving them should help to put you back in the financial situation you were in before the accident ever happened. Examples of economic damages include those for:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages during recovery, and
- Reduced earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are paid to help you cope with the emotional and physical trauma of your injury. These types of injuries are typically very personal and difficult to value in terms of dollars and cents. This is why awards of non-economic damages can vary so much from one case to another. Examples of non-economic damages include those for:
- Pain and suffering
- Depression
- Anxiety, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
At Citywide Law Group, our attorneys are dedicated to getting you the money you deserve. We work closely with experts to make sure that all damages are identified. This allows us to ensure that your claim is valued properly. We don’t just look at your costs today, but also assess how your injury will affect you down the line.
Why You Should Hire a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney
The costs of whiplash can add up quickly. Filing a lawsuit can help you recover much-needed compensation. Hiring an attorney to handle your case will allow you to maximize the amount of money you get. Here’s how our personal injury lawyers can help you with your legal case.
You Need Time to Recover
Whiplash can be a painful and debilitating injury. Recovery typically involves time, medication, and patience. You don’t need to deal with the stress of a lawsuit while you’re trying to get better. In fact, trying to handle a lawsuit may delay or hurt your recovery. Hiring Citywide Law Group to handle your legal case will give you time to focus on getting better. You can rest assured that your case is in good hands.
It’s Important to Level the Playing Field
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you’ll probably be dealing with an insurance company. These companies do not have your best interest at heart. In fact, they’ll do whatever they can to minimize the amount of money you receive. The last thing they want you to do is hire a lawyer. Why? They know that their manipulative tactics will be more successful if you try to handle the case on your own. Our attorneys will advocate on your behalf and demand that insurers extend a fair and reasonable settlement offer.
Determining Cause and Liability Can Be Tough
The best way to maximize compensation is by identifying who is to blame for an accident. It’s possible that more than one person could be at fault. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate your accident and determine all possible causes. This will allow us to pinpoint liability. We’ll pursue compensation from anyone who caused you harm.
Protecting You If You Share Fault
Fault is not necessarily a bar to recovery after an accident. You can recover compensation as long as someone else is to blame. However, the amount of money you can get will depend on how much of the accident was your fault. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to find evidence that minimizes your role in the accident. The less fault you share, the more money you will be able to recover.
Call Our Los Angeles Whiplash Injury Attorneys
Whiplash can be a painful and expensive injury. You need to demand compensation if someone else is to blame for your accident. At Citywide Law Group, our attorneys are dedicated to helping you get the money you deserve. Contact our Los Angeles attorneys today to find out how we can help you maximize your financial award. Call today to schedule your free case assessment.