Whiplash is a specific type of neck injury that occurs as a result of the head moving back and forth abruptly. It is particularly common in car accidents because of the way the head and body move in response to the impact.
If you notice neck pain or stiffness, shoulder pain, blurred vision, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, pain or numbness or tinnitus after an accident, there’s a chance you suffered from whiplash.
Here are a few tips for you to consider if you believe you have whiplash.
- Seek medical attention immediately after an accident: Even if you don’t believe you’ve sustained any serious injuries, it is still a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. In many circumstances, soft-tissue injuries like whiplash might take days or longer before presenting themselves as being more significant than mild discomfort. Waiting too long to seek medical attention can result in worsening severity and also look bad on your part should you end up filing an injury claim.
- Notify your insurance company: After you get into an accident, contact your insurance company to let them know as soon as possible about the accident. You will need to provide them with as much information as possible about injuries and medical care received. If you get diagnosed with a whiplash injury, you should let your insurance company know immediately.
- Collect evidence and documentation: You’ll need information such as lost wages as a result of the accident, medical bills, miles you drove for treatment, out-of-pocket medical costs, insurance deductibles and co-pays and other general information about the everyday impact of your injuries on your life. All of this will help you succeed in an ensuing personal injury claim.
For more information about the steps to take following a whiplash injury, contact an experienced Sarasota, FL auto accident lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.