Tips for Filing a Whiplash Injury Claim Post-Accident

After a car accident, you should seek immediate medical attention and have an evaluation performed for whiplash. Even if you are not experiencing any pain or symptoms, you could have a serious injury. Minor collisions, even at low speeds, can cause injury to your neck and spine. Therefore, it is best to seek prompt medical attention as soon as possible rather than waiting until the symptoms and severe pain start to show.

What is Whiplash?

Also referred to by professionals at Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD), whiplash occurs due to a sudden jolt of the neck and shoulders from the thrust of an impact. These forces keep your head moving while your body remains in place, which can potentially harm soft tissue including the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the neck and shoulders. Symptoms are not always immediately present after these types of accidents, and in some cases can take a few hours or days to manifest. The symptoms can include:

  • Back pain
  • Neck or shoulder pain
  • Neck or shoulder stiffness
  • Soreness or pain in the jaw
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Dizziness or vomiting
  • Weakness in the arms

What to do After the Accident

Immediately after your accident or as soon as you start to show whiplash symptoms you should do what you can to preserve the evidence of your claim. Even if you do not plan to file a lawsuit later, protecting yourself now is better than trying to gather evidence later. Just some things you can do to maximize the effectiveness of your claim includes:

  1. Seeking medical treatment right away. Always seek out medical attention immediately after a car accident. Auto accidents are highly strenuous on the body and delaying care is one of the biggest mistakes accident victims make. The faster you see a physician, the more credible your injury claims will be later on. The longer you wait, however, the easier it is for insurance claims adjusters to justify a smaller settlement or state that your injuries were not serious in the first place.
  2. See a credible physician. While you have the right to select your physician, do so with caution. You should select a reputable doctor that can ensure your claim is taken seriously. That includes the right documentation for your injuries, and referring you to specialists as needed.
  3. Document all of your medical care. While you will have medical records, perform your own due diligence and document medical care and treatments you receive. Create a paper trail and keep your own copies of those records – including ER visits, MRIs, medical charts, etc.
  4. Do not delay in speaking to an attorney. You will want to speak with an attorney as quickly as possible following your accident. Speak with a lawyer that understands car accident claims and can help you preserve evidence. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the fresher your evidence will be and the easier it will be for your attorney to prove your claims.

Contact De Castroverde Law Group Regarding Your Case

If you have been seriously injured or involved in an accident, seek medical care and then contact the car accident attorneys at De Castroverde Law Group as soon as possible. Our attorneys are here to answer your questions and help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Get started by contacting us online or by calling 702-222-9999 now, our team of Las Vegas personal injury lawyers are ready to assist you.