What is the Average Payout for A Whiplash Injury?

Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injury types. Even moderate whiplash will have an effect on the injured person’s neck and back for days, weeks, or even years. If you’ve been suffering from the pain of your injury, then you will want to get the maximum amount in damages to cover not only your medical bills, but any lost wages, and damages for your pain and suffering.

Depending on the severity of the whiplash, on average you can expect to receive anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000. However, if you suffered more severe neck injuries and require months of physical therapy then you may be awarded up to $30,000 in compensation. Rarely, but still possible, victims can be awarded up to $100,000 if the injuries they sustained to their neck, spine, and soft tissues are so severe that there is damage to the nerves and vertebrae.

Should I See a Doctor If My Accident Was Minor?

Even if you don’t think you have a severe case of whiplash, however, you still want to seek medical help to at least find out if you sustained severe injuries whose symptoms have not shown up yet. After an accident, you may have been feeling an adrenaline rush, which would have dampened any light or moderate pain. It’s best to get checked out by a doctor.

What To Do If You Have Whiplash Injury

The first thing to do if you suspect you have an injured neck or spine, or have a concussion, is to seek medical treatment immediately. The longer you delay the less strong your case will be when you do bring it before a judge. Plus, seeing a medical professional means you will get the relief you deserve.

You will need to provide medical documentation verifying, from a licensed physician, that you have indeed been diagnosed with whiplash or any of the cluster of head and neck injuries under that general term. Additionally, you will want to provide copies of your medical bills to determine a settlement amount.

How Long Does It Take To Recover from Whiplash

The severity of whiplash varies from person to person. The force of the hit, what direction the impact came from, the age and general health of the injured victim, and whether or not you were wearing a seatbelt can all affect recovery times. Recovery can take place over several days, though some studies show that victims experience symptoms and may require physical therapy an average of three months after the accident.

When To Call An Attorney

As soon as you’ve been injured, you should seek medical help. The next step is to call an attorney, who can walk you through what documents to gather and provide. If the whiplash is severe enough then you will need physical therapy, which may be both very costly but very beneficial for your recovery. There are many decisions you will have to make about your health, and it’s harder to make them when you’ve got mounting medical bills and no answers on how to keep healing when you may be out of work. You will want to consult with an attorney with a high success rate for helping personal injury victims get their medical bills and treatment covered. If you’ve been injured in St. Louis then contact Lawyers Hipskind & McAninch to talk about your specific case.