West Palm Beach Car Accident Whiplash Lawyer
Whiplash is a type of neck injury commonly seen in victims of rear-end car accidents. In most cases, whiplash is treated with medication and exercise. But severe whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain and other long-term complications.
Negligence often plays a role in these sorts of injuries. So if you are experiencing neck pain or other symptoms, a qualified West Palm Beach car accident whiplash lawyer can help you in seeking compensation for your injuries. Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather is a team of experienced Florida personal injury attorneys who represent car accident victims who have been hurt by another driver’s negligence.
What Are the Signs of Whiplash?
Even if you do not experience any immediate neck pain when a car accident occurs, whiplash symptoms often present themselves within a few hours or days of the initial injury. Here are a few signs to look out for:
- pain and stiffness in the neck;
- loss of range of motion in the neck;
- increasing pain as you move the neck;
- headaches, especially those starting at the base of the skull;
- shoulder, back, or arm pain;
- tingling or numbness in the arms;
- fatigue or dizziness;
- blurred vision;
- ringing in the ears;
- difficulty concentrating or sleeping; and
- memory problems.
It is always advisable to seek medical attention following any car accident, even if you feel fine immediately afterwards. But it is especially crucial to see a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms described above. The sooner you start documenting a whiplash industry, the better it will be not only for your treatment but also with building a case against the negligent driver who caused your injury.
Under Florida law, you typically have to first seek coverage for a car accident injury from your own insurance policy’s personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. If you only sustained a minor whiplash injury, PIP’s medical and wage replacement benefits will likely be enough to fully compensate you. But if your whiplash injury is severe, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and sue the negligent driver directly for additional damages.
As previously noted, whiplash injuries are especially common in rear-end auto accidents. If you were in the leading vehicle, it is often not that difficult to prove the driver in the trailing vehicle caused your accident. While it is not always the case that the rear driver is at-fault for a rear-end accident, it does turn out to be true in most cases. But even when fault is clear, you still need to prove the full extent of your whiplash injury and its effect on your life.
Contact Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather Today
Like any type of injury, whiplash can leave you facing a stack of medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs. It is therefore important to work with a skilled West Palm Beach car accident whiplash lawyer who can help make sure that you receive any compensation you are entitled to under the law for your injuries. Contact Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather today to schedule a consultation.
