Whiplash Accident Lawyer in Doral, FL
Whiplash is a common car accident injury. You can still sustain whiplash injuries in a car crash that causes your neck and head to abruptly move back and forth. According to a report that was released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a total of 395,785 car accidents occurred in 2016, compared to 374,342 accidents that happened the previous year, an increase of over 20,000.
These accidents resulted in 165,940 different types of injuries, including neck injuries. When you’ve been in an auto accident, a neck injury is a possibility. Even a 30 mile per hour accident can cause significant damage to the neck and spine.
Whiplash can cause serious injuries and can even keep you out of work. If you’re a victim of a whiplash accident due to a negligent driver, you may be entitled to a settlement. Contact our whiplash accident lawyers in Doral to discuss your legal options. Our experienced lawyers will help you get the full and fair compensation that you deserve.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury that causes a strain or sprain to the muscles of the neck. It happens when your head is jerked abruptly backward and forward resulting in the hyperflexion (when your neck is pushed forward, causing the tissue, ligaments, and muscles to overstretch) or hyperextension (when your cervical spine is pushed forward, forcing it to extend beyond its normal range of motion) of the neck.
The neck is highly vulnerable to whiplash because it can rotate in many different directions and is also very flexible. The sudden movements that occur in a car accident can cause damage to the vertebrae, soft tissue, ligaments, and muscle in your neck.
What Are the Causes of Whiplash?
Any accident that involves your head being pushed forward and backward abruptly can cause a whiplash injury. However, the injury is most common in rear-end accidents. The force of impact of a rear-end accident can cause your head to be whipped back toward the headrest and toward the front of your car.
Other common causes include:
- Being struck by an object that’s falling
- Recreational sports and activities
- Boat accidents
- Slips and falls
- Assault
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
You may not notice you’ve sustained a whiplash injury until days have passed since the accident happened. It is important to track your health while keeping an eye on the symptoms of whiplash which include:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Neck pain
- Fatigue
- Neck stiffness
You should seek medical care if you experience any of the above symptoms to prevent your injuries from worsening.
What Are the Permanent Effects of Whiplash?
Whiplash injuries can be severe or moderate. Whether or not your whiplash accident will involve long-term damage will depend on:
- Pre-existing neck or back injuries
- The extent of the whiplash injury
- Your age
- Prior whiplash injuries
Many whiplash injury victims recover within a few weeks of the accident. However, those who suffer serious injuries usually experience stiffness and chronic pain for a long time.
What Compensation Can You Recover if You Suffer a Whiplash Injury?
Your whiplash injury can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills. You don’t have to deal with the financial aftermath of the injury yourself, especially when another person is responsible for causing your accident. You have the legal right to hold them liable for causing your whiplash injury. You may seek settlement for:
- Lost wages
- Chronic pain
- Medical bills
- Disability
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation costs
You’re more likely to be compensated when you hire an experienced whiplash accident attorney to handle your case. Contact our legal team to learn about how we can help you maximize your compensation.
When Should You File a Whiplash Injury Lawsuit?
Under Florida’s statutes of limitation, you have up to four years from the day the accident occurred to file a lawsuit for damages. You may not be offered the settlement you seek if you file your claim after the given time period has elapsed.
You can protect your right to get the financial award you deserve by contacting our lawyers immediately after your crash. We will ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time after determining the date the statutes of limitations come into effect.
Hire a Whiplash Accident Lawyer in Doral to Handle Your Case
Winning compensation after sustaining injuries in a whiplash accident will involve negotiations with insurers who may deny or limit your claim, as well as evidence collection, interviewing witnesses, estimating the value of your claim, and legal proceedings in a court of law. Our lawyers will represent you and take to task the insurance companies liable for your whiplash injury. Call us today at 305-928-2909 to file a claim for the compensation you deserve.