Understanding Whiplash: Your Right To Compensation After A Rear-End Accident

Whiplash is common after car accidents. Despite its prevalence, many people remain unaware of what exactly whiplash is, why it happens, and how serious it can be. The party that strikes the other vehicle's rear is usually at fault in rear-end accidents. Therefore, you should consider taking legal action against the other party to be reimbursed for your injuries.

What Is Whiplash? 

It is a neck injury called "whiplash" because it mimics the cracking of a whip: a quick back-and-forth motion that strains or sprains the neck's soft tissues. Whiplash is technically a strain or sprain of the neck. Still, it can also involve more serious injuries like cervical radiculopathy if nerves are impacted.

How Does Whiplash Occur in Car Accidents?

Whiplash most often occurs during rear-end car collisions. The force of the accident causes you to be thrust forward, but your head initially remains in place, creating a rapid back-and-forth neck motion. This can occur even at low speeds and if you wear a seatbelt.

Is Whiplash a Serious Injury?

Some people experience minor symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, headache, and dizziness. However, if the whiplash injury is severe enough to damage the spinal cord or nerve roots, it can lead to conditions like cervical radiculopathy, which manifests as pain and loss of sensation along the nerve's pathway into the arm and hand.

Because whiplash is not a minor injury, seeking compensation for your whiplash accident as soon as possible is essential. If you do not take the right steps immediately, the other party might make the claim that you were not as injured as you claimed.

How to Take Legal Action Immediately

After your whiplash has been treated, contact an auto accident attorney. Getting started with your legal case as soon as possible is important. After a car accident, the evidence tends to disappear. However, you can prevent this by having a professional look at the available evidence and using it to build a solid legal case. 

In the event of a rear-end collision, it is probable that the other driver is responsible for the incident. Nonetheless, their insurance company may attempt to minimize their responsibility and reduce the amount of money they have to pay by doing the following:

• Trying to hold you partially at fault
• Denying that you are seriously injured
• Offering a low-ball settlement offer

A car accident attorney will anticipate these defenses and will already have a counter-argument ready so you can maximize your chances of receiving the settlement you deserve or will represent you in court if necessary. Regardless of what you ultimately choose, you must be fully informed of your rights and the options available to you.

Contact a local personal injury lawyer to learn more.