Whiplash Injury Lawsuit in California
Whiplash is a fairly common neck injury in which the soft tissues of the neck are extended beyond their normal range of motion. It is most commonly related to a car accident, but it can occur from any type of impact that causes the head to jerk backward or forward suddenly.
While the pain from whiplash is normally felt immediately, many victims underestimate the full extent of medical treatment that will result from sustaining this type of neck injury.
Typically, victims will not know exactly what steps to take after suffering a whiplash injury as they may believe the injury is too minor to pursue an injury claim. However, our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys understand that any type of whiplash or back injury can cause pain for many years, leading to serious difficulty in living a normal life.
Even though the immediate pain may subside after a few weeks, whiplash injury pain can often return forever.
Whiplash is a very common injury sustained in motor vehicle accidents, especially rear-end car collisions. It typically occurs when a person's body is abruptly lurched or thrown forward and backward, as in a motor vehicle accident.
The term “whiplash” is not recognized as a medical diagnosis but is often used to describe injuries such as neck sprains or strains. Muscles, ligaments, and even the spinal cord can be frequently damaged. Whiplash neck injuries can occur from truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and slip and fall accidents.
If you or a family member suffered a whiplash injury in an accident in Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley, our injury lawyers can help you. If your injury was caused in a car accident by someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to a positive resolution under California law, offering hope for a fair outcome. Our team is dedicated to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
Our team at Injury Justice Law Firm, LLP, comprised of knowledgeable, compassionate, and experienced attorneys, has successfully represented numerous clients with whiplash injuries. We understand the complexities of these cases and are committed to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury law firm does not rush to accept a quick settlement for whiplash injuries if it does not result in the appropriate amount of compensation. You can trust our expertise to guide you through this challenging time.
As a victim, you might have to rely on the monetary damages for several years. Our attorneys will aggressively pursue the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to based on the extent and nature of your injury. Any type of neck and back injury should be taken seriously, as they can dramatically impact your quality of life. If another individual was liable for your injuries, they need to be held accountable.
An experienced attorney may also be able to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to obtain a favorable settlement offer on your case. Suppose the insurance company is unwilling to make a favorable settlement offer.
In that case, our experienced whiplash attorneys are not afraid to litigate your case through the California court system or take it to trial if necessary. We will guide you through each step of the legal process, ensuring you understand your rights and options at every turn and providing you with the support you need during this challenging time. You can rest assured that you won't be alone in this process.
Rear-End Car Collisions Are Often Caused by Driver Negligence
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common causes of whiplash injuries. The abruptness and forcefulness of a rear-end impact are often likely to produce soft tissue neck and back injuries. Rear-end collisions typically occur when someone is engaging in distracted or careless driving, which usually takes one or more of the following forms:
- Texting while driving
- Making cell phone calls while driving
- Listening to loud music in the car while driving
- Roughhousing with others in the car while driving
- Turning head to talk to a passenger while driving
- Speeding or violating other California traffic laws and rules of the road
When a distracted driver fails to give proper care and attention to the roadway, that driver is more likely to rear-end a stopped vehicle at a stop sign or red traffic light, potentially resulting in soft tissue whiplash injury.
Whiplash Can Have a Significant Effect on Your Everyday Life
Whiplash is an injury that is often underestimated by people who have not personally experienced it. This may have something to do with the fact that, unlike broken bones, lacerations, or bruises, whiplash does not have any visible symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash can cause several extremely serious symptoms, including the following:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness
- Headaches
- Loss of range of motion
- Pain associated with neck movement
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Tenderness in the upper back, arms, or shoulders
Less commonly, people can also experience:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
These symptoms usually clear up within a matter of months, but some people develop chronic whiplash syndrome, which can go on for years. When these symptoms are particularly severe, people who are affected can often be unable to work or attend school for a significant amount of time and may be forced to forgo activities that they once enjoyed.
Fortunately for victims, these kinds of losses can generally be compensated under California law. This compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other damages. Our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Related Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash injuries – especially those sustained in rear-end motor vehicle collisions – are likely to be accompanied by other similar injuries, including the following:
- Middle, upper, and lower back injuries
- Chest and shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries – usually from striking the dashboard at the point of impact
- Head injuries – usually from striking the steering wheel or headrest at the point of impact
Soft tissue whiplash injuries, by their very nature, are not always observable from imaging studies, such as X-rays and MRIs. Consequently, insurance companies often contest claims that are made by whiplash victims, claiming that victims are overstating their injuries or pointing to prior injuries, accidents, or pre-existing medical conditions as a cause of their symptoms.
An experienced Los Angeles whiplash injury attorney at our law firm will be able to respond to the insurance adjuster's arguments and help you maximize the value of your soft tissue injury case.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Case
If you were involved in an accident, a neck injury can be severe, and the symptoms may not appear for many days. If the negligence of another person caused the injury, it's important to document evidence of the accident.
You may be entitled to monetary compensation under the law for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering. Our injury attorneys have the investigative experience and legal skills needed to litigate your case no matter how the injury was caused.
We do not collect any fees unless we win your case. If your case has legal recourse, our lawyers will aggressively advocate on your behalf to obtain maximum compensation. For a free case evaluation, call our office at 310-734-7974 to explore your legal options.
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