Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.
Whiplash is a generic term used to describe soft tissue injuries that occur in the neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This type of injury is most commonly seen in rear-end collisions, but it is not a formal medical diagnosis, since it cannot be substantiated via tests or scans. Nevertheless, it is an established fact that, when a person is involved in an accident, the violent whipping motion that their body and head encounter can damage the soft issues in the neck and shoulders.
If you have been involved in an accident, you will know if you have whiplash because you will exhibit symptoms that include:
If you are suffering from whiplash, you are entitled to compensation for your injury – as long as another party is liable for those injuries.
In order for your attorney to value your case, they will need to determine two different things:
There are two types of damages you can receive in any type of injury case: compensatory and punitive. In a whiplash accident case, it is unlikely you would qualify for punitive damages unless the defendant purposely or maliciously caused the accident.
Compensatory damages are what compensate you for your financial losses – including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, etc.
You will need to speak with a car accident attorney in order to determine how much your claim is worth. An attorney will consider multipliers in your case to help determine your pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is typically added on via multiplication based on your true costs, including medical costs and lost wages. The multiplier typically ranges from 1.5 to 4.
However, the multiplier concept only applies in some situations. Because whiplash injuries are so heavily contested, you will have several unique things to consider when evaluating your case, including:
After an accident, contact the team at Malman Law regarding your injuries. In most cases, whiplash will take anywhere from a few hours to days to start exhibiting symptoms, but contacting an attorney as soon as possible can preserve the evidence in your case and improve the likelihood of success. Schedule your free consultation with an attorney today at 888-625-6265, or fill out an online contact form with your questions.
Malman Law’s founder Attorney Steven Malman has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury, nursing home, medical malpractice, truck accidents, car accidents, premises liability, construction, and workers’ compensation cases in Chicago, IL.
Years of experience: +30 years
Illinois Registration Status: Active and authorized to practice law—Last Registered Year: 2024
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