Every year, millions of Americans suffer from whiplash, which is brought on by the neck and head suddenly moving back and forth forcefully. This can cause long-lasting pain or permanent disability that requires expensive medical treatment.
For this reason, if you’re suffering from whiplash, you deserve to pursue compensation from the person who caused this serious injury. If you’re curious about how much your compensation will amount to, the average is usually between $10,000 and $20,000. However, it can range all the way up to $5 million if the injury has clearly changed your life. Take a look at why you should pursue compensation and how to get started.
What Does The Settlement Pay For?
The main reason to get a settlement is so you do not have to pay out of pocket after being severely injured by someone else. When you have whiplash, you need medical care, and those costs can add up quickly. Whether you went to the hospital or saw your doctor, you might have needed medication, physical therapy, follow-up visits, and other types of treatment.
A fair settlement would ensure you don’t have to pay those costs on your own. Your whiplash settlement can also compensate you for:
- Lost wages if you stayed home from work to recover
- Property damage if your vehicle or other belongings were destroyed
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress after being seriously injured
Your settlement should at least cover your expenses from the accident, though your lawyer will work to get you more. This is why you should talk to a personal injury attorney about your legal rights after getting whiplash.
How Can You Help Your Case?
If you plan to make a claim for compensation, you can take steps to help your case. First, get the medical treatment you need. You can request your medical records after you get treatment, or you can let your lawyer do this when calculating a fair settlement.
When you’re able to, take pictures of your injuries and keep a journal of how the whiplash has affected your life. If you’re in pain every day or cannot complete routine tasks anymore, write that down to show how the injury has been life-changing. Next, hire a lawyer to take on your whiplash claim, making sure to show them your medical records, pictures, and journal to strengthen your case.
Do You Need A Lawyer’s Help Getting A Whiplash Settlement?
You can make a claim against an insurance company on your own, but you typically won’t get a fair settlement within a reasonable timeframe. Clients who get generous settlements for whiplash and other injuries are usually represented by lawyers who present evidence and fight for their rights.
If you’re considering initiating a claim or lawsuit against the person who hurt you, here at the Waggoner Legal Group, our Santa Fe, NM lawyers can help.
We’re not just Santa Fe Personal Injury Lawyers, we are Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyers, Las Cruces Personal Injury Lawyers, and more!
We are fifth generation New Mexicans fighting for New Mexicans.
Contact our office at 505-983-3272 OR email us at injury@waggonerlegalgroup.com to schedule your free case valuation.
We’ll tell you what your case may be worth!