Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from a car accident, and doctors have proven it’s a result of some types of car accidents. According to The Mayo Clinic, whiplash is a “neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.”  Rear-end accidents are the biggest proponent of whiplash injuries. However, it can occur in any type of car accident. Symptoms of whiplash include:

• Neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• Inability to move your neck
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Tingling sensations

If you’re suffering from a whiplash injury as the result of a car accident, you should talk to a top car accident lawyer in Los Angeles who can help you recover compensation for your medical bills.

One of the primary indicators used to prove you have whiplash as the result of a car accident is how quickly you sought medical treatment. If you waited multiple weeks before visiting a doctor or medical professional to get treated for your symptoms, it’s more difficult to prove that your whiplash injury was caused by the car accident. That’s why if you suspect there was an injury following your accident, even if you only have a few symptoms, it’s in your best interest to seek medical attention right away.

When you visit a doctor for your whiplash symptoms, they’ll likely conduct a variety of tests to identify the extent of your injury. Serious whiplash injuries are visible on imaging tests such as x-rays and MRIs. A car accident lawyer in LA says reported medical evidence is extremely beneficial for proving a whiplash claim, especially if the images were taken directly after or near the time of the accident.

If you’ve suffered from whiplash or whiplash symptoms in the past, it might be more difficult to prove your accident claim. Insurers and those granting your claim will want to be certain that what you’re experiencing is new or different from what you went through in the past. It’s also beneficial to provide detailed information about your aches and pains to medical professionals at the scene of the accident and those you see after the accident.

To claim that you’re suffering from whiplash, it’s important to follow the doctor’s orders to alleviate your symptoms and heal your injury. If the doctor prescribes medical treatment, you should follow all the instructions accordingly. Not participating in medical treatment is a sign to the other party that your symptoms may not be as bad as you claim.

If you’re suffering from whiplash, you should also consult a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles about filing for a settlement to cover the cost of your medical bills. With the right representation, you might also be able to win compensation for your pain and suffering.  The Barnes Firm is a preferred option for many victims of car accidents in LA. Call today or contact the legal team online to schedule a free consultation.

If you’ve been in a car accident, you know how scary the experience can be. You’re shaken from the entire episode and may be in severe pain, particularly if the crash caused an injury. A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles says whiplash is the most common injury following a car accident, and it’s not an injury to be taken lightly. It’s caused by the forceful motion of your head knocking forward and back when your car is crashed into. This violent movement of your head causes damage to your neck, spine, and shoulders if left untreated.

Many accident victims may be wondering, Should You Go to the Hospital for Whiplash? All of the best car accident lawyers in Los Angeles say it’s always a good idea to visit a hospital and have a medical specialist look over your injuries to find out whether your condition is serious or not.

The best thing to do after a car accident is to take your whiplash injury seriously and seek out professional medical care. Many times, victims in a car accident don’t initially feel pain after a crash. That’s because in response to the shock of the collision, your body releases a spike of adrenaline and cortisol hormones that mask the pain and help you think clearly. Once the hormones wear off and your body starts to relax, that’s when the pain sets in.

Whiplash disturbs the delicate tissues, ligaments, and muscles around your spine. Waiting for your back, neck, and shoulders to become painfully stiff and sore from day-to-day irritants can worsen the extent of your injuries. That’s why it’s always a good idea to go to the hospital and get examined, even if you initially feel fine. This will establish a record of medical treatment that may support a future car accident claim.

Going to an urgent care center or the hospital will allow a doctor to examine you and run telling tests and scans to get insight on the severity of your injury. Because other injuries can stem from whiplash, known as whiplash associated disorder (WAD), receiving care early on from a medical professional will tell you whether you might be facing further complications.

Because whiplash is an injury to the tissues, muscles, and ligaments, rather than the bones, an X-ray would not be helpful for your prognosis. Your doctor will likely have you lie down and ask for your feedback on your level of pain when gently moving your neck, back, and shoulders. In some cases, images from a sophisticated MRI scan can predict whether you might experience chronic pain in the future.

Based on your doctor’s evaluation, they’ll recommend a treatment plan to help your whiplash heal. Possible recommendations include:

• Strengthening exercises and stretches
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Massage therapy
• A neck brace to be worn
• Pain medication
• Injections to block pain, like an epidural, so tissues heal faster

The severity of your pain and injury will dictate the treatment options that your doctor suggests. Never attempt to self-diagnose your treatment plan, as the wrong adjustments can make your pain worse.

After visiting the hospital and receiving a treatment plan by a doctor, be sure to follow these  instructions carefully. General practices for self-care include:

• Icing the sore area to help swelling for the 24 hours following your accident
• Taking over-the-counter medication for pain and swelling
• Avoiding physical work or labor that will irritate your injury

Ask your doctor about the best way to lie in bed at night, so you don’t further your injuries while sleeping. You may also be advised to stretch or strengthen specific muscles with at-home exercises. The key is not to overexert yourself and to listen to your body when doing these activities.

Knowing what to do, both medically and legally, about your whiplash injury following an accident is extremely important. Seek out the treatment you need right away. After treatment, you’ll want to at least explore your legal options. In many cases, there are avenues to make sure you’re compensated for any and all medical procedures, loss of wages, and other costs associated with an accident. You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket to treat injuries that you didn’t cause.

The Barnes Firm has helped victims of car accidents for years across the state of California. With decades of experience fighting for victims’ personal injury claims, our best car accident lawyer in Los Angeles could recover the compensation that you deserve. Call or request a consultation online for your free case evaluation.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000

There’s no predetermined amount a person can receive for whiplash, but any time you’re injured in an accident due to another person’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation.

One of the most common reasons people seek compensation following car accidents is whiplash injuries. By filing a lawsuit against the negligent party, a whiplash victim improves their chances of winning a financial settlement. If you’re suffering from whiplash as the result of an auto accident, hiring a trusted attorney is your best course of action.

Whiplash is a common injury sustained in car accidents. The major impact experienced during an accident can cause a sudden jerking movement of the driver or the passenger’s head – much like a whip. Such movement is a recipe for immediate pain and long-term damage.

Whiplash victims experience a variety of symptoms from their injury, including but not limited to:

• Severe neck pain
• Stiff neck
• Headaches
• Loss of range of motion in the neck
• Shoulder pain
• Upper arm pain
• Overall body discomfort

A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles says the symptoms associated with whiplash are known to increase over time. Just because you’re not in pain immediately following a car accident doesn’t mean you didn’t sustain an injury. It’s in your best interest to be evaluated by a medical doctor as soon as possible. If a whiplash injury doesn’t get addressed with the appropriate medical treatment, you’re at risk of life-long pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering is a term that’s used to describe the emotional distress that the long-term physical pain from an accident-related injury causes. Examples of pain and suffering include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Physical limitations caused by an injury
• Memory loss
• Insomnia
• Loss of relationships due to injury
• PTSD
• Change of lifestyle due to injury

When you hire a car accident attorney in Los Angeles to represent you in a personal injury case, they will gather information and evidence to prove that the pain and suffering you’re enduring is grounds for financial compensation.

Treatments for whiplash injuries are decided by medical doctors and determined based upon the severity of your injury. Oftentimes, doctors will prescribe intense physical therapy treatment before they explore medical alternatives such as surgery. Treatment for whiplash and similar injuries can be expensive.

In addition to medical bills and the cost of ongoing therapy, people who suffer from whiplash also experience:

• Lost wages due to time off of work
• Loss of future wages due to long-term pain
• Medical equipment costs
• Pain and suffering

If you’re suffering from whiplash, the first thing you should do is contact and be seen by a medical professional. It’s also in your best interest to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to assist you with your claim. Likewise, documenting your injuries and all of the costs associated with them will prove favorable when you file a lawsuit against the negligent party.

Most whiplash personal injury claims are settled before they go to court. The average payout for a whiplash lawsuit ranges between $1,000-$100,000, depending on the nature of the accident and injury.

The Los Angeles car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm are a trustworthy source of legal representation for your personal injury claim. If you’ve recently sustained a whiplash injury from a car accident, there’s no better time to give them a call than right now. The personal injury attorneys at The Barnes Firm are committed to getting the best possible result for your case and will walk you through the entire legal process from beginning to end.

To schedule a free consultation, call our office or contact us online today.

The Barnes Firm (800)-800-0000