In a San Diego County motor vehicle accident, the most common personal injury is whiplash, which forces muscles, ligaments, and soft tissue in the neck to snap beyond their regular range of motion. While sometimes considered a minor injury, the truth is that whiplash can impact your social, work, and family life for many years.
What Whiplash Is
Whiplash is most often caused in the following types of accidents:
- Oil field accidents
- Construction accidents
- Slips and falls
- Motorcycle accidents
- Big rig accidents
- Passenger vehicle accidents
When a car that isn’t moving is struck by another vehicle from behind, the impact can cause the neck and head to snap back and forth, resulting in injury.
Whiplash Diagnosis
After a California accident, victims should be examined by a medical professional to treat their injuries. The doctor will determine if the injuries are severe enough to receive immediate attention. Based on the seriousness of the whiplash injury, you may be provided with a neck roll so your neck can heal in a stable position. Your physician will likely also order a neck x-ray to see if there’s any other damage. Misdiagnosing a neck injury can lead to lifelong pain, so it’s important to get a thorough examination.
Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash symptoms most often include:
- Back spasms
- Swelling of shoulders or neck
- Movement difficulties in neck or head
- Back, shoulder, or neck pain
Victims of whiplash may also suffer from jaw tension, headache, and other facial pain, as well as tinnitus, vision problems, and symptoms resembling those of spinal cord injuries. In some cases, these issues can be relieved through acute whiplash treatment.
Living a Life With Whiplash
Even with treatment, some people with whiplash continue to have problems with muscle spasms, movement limitations, and headaches. They may also suffer from cognitive interruptions, sleep disturbances, and excessive fatigue. These unfortunate side effects can come and go over the years, but may never fully resolve.
Insurance companies want you to think that they’re on your side, but the amount of personal injury whiplash compensation they offer you will be much less than you need to pay your medical bills and other losses. Insurance companies are looking out for their own best interests, and that includes paying out the least amount possible for your injuries. Hiring an aggressive lawyer and filing a personal injury claim for whiplash compensation is the best way to make sure you get the money you deserve.
To schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury whiplash settlement lawyer, contact the Disability Help Center in San Diego today. Our legal team helps victims of negligent drivers get the money they need to pay for things like past and future medical bills, lost wages and earning capacity, and other damages.
The amount you can win in your personal injury claim is based upon the circumstances of your collision, but you might be surprised how much you can collect. Most clients undervalue their claim until they talk to a lawyer.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident and are suffering from neck and back pain, you may have a serious injury. Don’t let whiplash take away your mobility. Contact a personal injury lawyer at the Disability Help Center in San Diego today by calling 1-888-418-8860 or filling out our online form to schedule a free consultation.