Getting a lawyer for your whiplash injury may not be your first thought in the event of an accident, but it could end up being your best. Whiplash is considered a “soft-tissue” injury, and it is usually confined to accidents of a non-life-threatening nature.
However, a whiplash injury can create problems that affect your finances and mobility for some time to come. Do not take it lightly.
In the following article, we will discuss the steps you need to take if you have experienced whiplash, including your legal options. However, let us start by examining the injury itself.
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What Is Whiplash?
The term whiplash comes from the whip-like motion your neck makes in an accident. It is often associated with automobile accidents, particularly the kind where one car strikes another from the rear. Symptoms include the following:
- Headaches, usually from the skull base
- Tingling and/or numbness in the extremities
- Dizziness
- Feelings of exhaustion
- Stiffness of the neck
- Immobility of the neck
If you experience whiplash as the result of an accident or negligence on the part of another (and it is quite common), you have options. In the next section, we will examine what those options are and when to bring in legal help.
1. Seek Medical Help
Before turning to your options for personal injury lawyers, you should seek help from a medical professional. A clear diagnosis of whiplash will help cut through much of the red tape, whether you hire an attorney or handle the claim yourself. Make this your first step.
2. Compile Evidence of Damages
Another stop before turning to the personal injury lawyers in St. Petersburg should be compiling evidence of your damages. You are your own best advocate, so gather any documentation, including x-rays, medical expenses, co-pays, and lost work you have had to endure as a result.
3. Work With the Insurer
Although you will need to touch base with your insurance company, make sure you have spoken with an attorney first. Your insurer should be fighting in your best interests and taking every step necessary to get you a fair settlement. However, it is essential to remember any insurance company’s first allegiance is to itself. Never give a recorded statement to an insurance company without first talking to your attorney.
4. Negotiate
If you do not feel like the insurance company is working in your best interests or if you are uninsured, you should know that negotiation is an uphill battle. You can certainly try it on your own, but keep in mind you are going against professionals who know the system inside-and-out.
Every individual stands a better chance with compelling evidence of damages. Still, it can be tough to get the award you deserve going it alone.
5. Know When to Seek Help
A whiplash lawyer helps your cause when traditional means have broken down. They know how to communicate with insurance companies in a manner that moves the needle in your favor.
Of course, take your time and do your research before hiring an attorney. Not all are created equal.
Look for a lawyer who has experience handling Whiplash cases
Getting a lawyer for whiplash only works when you are dealing with a lawyer that has experience fighting, negotiating, and winning in this particular arena. If you have a case that needs experience at the helm, give Beltz and Beltz a call today.
