Northwest Indiana Whiplash Injury Lawyer
Often the severity of a whiplash injury will not become apparent until the next day or multiple days after an accident. Many times accident victims will refuse medical treatment and then regret it later when their muscles began to get stiff and sore.
This is why you should always seek a medical evaluation after an accident, even if you believe you are not injured. An experienced catastrophic attorney will be able to use the records to prove that your whiplash injury is the direct result of the accident and get you the compensation you deserve.
Whiplash injuries commonly occur in motor vehicle accidents, especially in a rear-end collision. Contact sports rank a distant second as the cause of whiplash injuries. While most people may recover from whiplash within a few weeks with proper treatment, for some accident victims the pain continues for several months.
For others, the pain becomes chronic. Not only are you in pain, but you may not be able to work or engage in normal activities. Unfortunately, insurance companies excessively scrutinize whiplash injuries and the associated treatment. That is why you need a Northwest Indiana whiplash injury lawyer to help you receive compensation for your injuries.
Common Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash gets its name from the sharp, violent movement back and forth of the head, like a cracking whip. In the 19th century, whiplash-like injuries were known as railway spine, as victims were usually hurt in train accidents. It is a soft-tissue injury, as the violent motion affects the muscles and ligaments connecting the spine.
Just because a person feels fine right after the car accident does not mean that he or she did not experience whiplash. Symptoms may not develop for several days. Whiplash victims may suffer from pain in various parts of the body. These include arms, back, jaw, neck, shoulders.
In addition, many whiplash victims can experience headache, nausea, numbness, vision problems, sleep issues, tinnitus – ringing in the ears – behavioral changes and dizziness or disorientation. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that some patients report abnormal burning or prickling sensations. In the most severe cases, patients may suffer bladder and bowel issues.
Whiplash Diagnosis and Treatment
Anyone involved in an auto accident should seek examination from a doctor immediately, even if he or she does not think an injury occurred. Since whiplash is a soft tissue injury, X-rays are not helpful in a diagnosis. Instead, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scans are ordered for diagnostic purposes.
Medical treatment for whiplash consists of pain medication, ice to reduce swelling and massage to loosen tight muscles and stimulate blood flow to the affected area. Many patients must wear a neck brace for a prescribed time. Other treatments include:
- Physical therapy
- Range of motion exercises
- Muscle relaxants
It is vital to document not only medical records but every associated expense, including the cost of any prescription or nonprescription medication or equipment necessary to treat the condition.
Injury Symptoms
Pain and suffering are the most common result of soft tissue damage. Once an injured person has a thorough medical evaluation and physical exam, a whiplash or soft tissue injury can be diagnosed by their physician. The victim can then request that the physician release the medical report to their Northwest Indiana whiplash injury lawyer. This report may then be used as evidence in a civil litigation.
Types of Injuries
Whiplash is the most well-known soft tissue injury, but there are many different types of soft tissue injuries. These may include stress fractures, bruising and strains or sprains of other body parts. A whiplash injury attorney in Northwest Indiana will be able to help with your injury case even if the soft tissue diagnosis is something other than ‘whiplash’.Whiplash occurs when trauma to the spine causes the neck to rapidly move up, down, and side to side without warning. This rapid motion causes ligaments, tendons, nerves or muscles to stretch beyond normal limits, causing extreme burning and pain in the upper back and neck region.
Steps to Take Following An Injury
It is important to keep track of all of your separate medical bills and any co-payments made; medical providers do not all bill in the same manner. A good way to keep track of your medical bills is to make a file at home; each time new bills delivered in the mail, simply put them into the file. Do the same with any doctor reports and image or laboratory results.
An experienced Northwest Indiana whiplash injury lawyer will help you get all of your medical bills and records in order. Before you talk to an insurance company, talk to a whiplash attorney for advice.
An experienced attorney can tell you what to expect and how to answer each question. The more prepared you are for the call, the better chances you have at collecting trust compensation for your injuries. So, don’t wait. Contact us today!