Whiplash is an injury that must be taken seriously. There are various ways that residents and visitors throughout Arizona can sustain whiplash injuries. In general, whiplash occurs anytime there is a sudden and rapid back and forth jerking of the body due to an outside impact. This extends the ligaments and muscles in the upper back and neck area and can lead to multiple short- and long-term signs and symptoms. These injuries most commonly occur due to vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, these injuries can also lead to a victim incurring significant medical bills, lost wages if they cannot work, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
It is crucial that any person who has sustained a whiplash injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of another individual be able to recover compensation for their losses.
Compensation for Whiplash After an Accident
There are no specific guidelines for how much compensation a person will receive after sustaining a whiplash injury caused by an accident. However, just because the state of Arizona does not have whiplash settlement guidelines does not mean that a victim will receive no compensation at all. The total amount of compensation a car accident victim receives in the aftermath of sustaining whiplash injuries will vary depending on the overall severity of the incident.
- Those who sustain mild to moderate whiplash injuries could receive anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 in compensation.
- Those who sustain more severe whiplash injuries, including persistent pain or nerve injuries that result from the incident, may receive closer to $30,000 or more in compensation.
Seeking Medical Care Is Crucial
It is absolutely vital that any person who sustains an injury due to a vehicle accident seek medical care as soon as possible. Seeking medical care right after an accident occurs does two things. First, this ensures that the injury victim is evaluated by a trusted doctor who can treat their injuries as soon as possible. Second, this establishes a solid link between the injuries and the actual crash.
If a whiplash injury victim fails to seek medical care for their injuries, it will be much more difficult to secure compensation through an insurance settlement or a personal injury trial. Further complicating this process is the fact that whiplash injuries may not appear until hours or days after a crash occurs, thereby lengthening the amount of time between the incident and the time a person finally seeks medical care.
Work With an Attorney for Help With Your Case
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a vehicle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of somebody else, you need to seek assistance from an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney as soon as possible. When you work with a lawyer, you will gain an advocate with resources and legal expertise who can stand up to aggressive insurance carriers and at-fault parties. Any person who sustains a whiplash injury caused by another individual should be able to secure compensation, and an attorney will not back down until you receive coverage for your medical bills, lost income, out-of-pocket losses, pain and suffering damages, and more.