What is Average Settlement Payout for Whiplash Injury in 2020?

What Is a Whiplash Injury?

A whiplash injury occurs when the head moves back-and-forth rapidly, causing strain to the surrounding neck muscles. The back-and-forth motion results in stretching and tearing of the connective tissue in your neck, which causes pain, headaches, and stiffness.

Pain levels can range from mild soreness and stiffness to extreme pain and injury in the surrounding areas of the neck. Whiplash injuries can be serious if they are accompanied by damage to the vertebrae or nerves in the neck and spinal column.

Car accidents can cause a whiplash injury, blows to the head, or anything that causes the head to jerk back and forth. A typical scenario is when someone is rear-ended in a car accident, and their head is thrown forward and then backward violently.

Average Compensation for Whiplash

Settlement amounts for whiplash injuries can differ, depending on how severe the injury is and whether there is major damage such as nerve or vertebral damage. According to AllLaw, settlements for whiplash can range anywhere from $2,500 to more than $30,000, depending on the severity of injuries.

A physician can diagnose what kind of damage you have and what kind of treatment you will require. This will determine what type of compensation you are entitled to receive and for how long you can continue to receive benefits.

What Kind of Damage Can Whiplash Injuries Cause?

At the most basic level, whiplash can cause soft-tissue damage in the neck area. This leads to soreness, neck stiffness, numbness, and other symptoms.

If your whiplash injuries are severe, then you could potentially have inflammation or damage to the surrounding nerves or vertebrae. It is even possible for whiplash to cause brain injuries.

After a whiplash injury, it is important to seek prompt medical care. A physician can examine you and conduct x-rays to determine what kind of injuries you have and what treatment will be necessary. With certain injuries like brain injuries and vertebral injuries, it is important to address these as quickly as possible to start treatment right away and prevent further damage.

What Kind of Expenses Are Covered in a Whiplash Claim?

A whiplash injury can lead to many expenses very quickly. When you file a claim, many or all of these expenses may be covered by your settlement. Some costs that may be covered by your settlement are:

• Medical expenses. Any medical bills for treatment, doctor’s visits, or physical therapy are usually covered by a settlement. This may also include costs for ambulance rides and other medical expenses.

• Missed workdays. If you had to miss work due to your injuries, this is something you can get compensation for. You can make a claim for the money you would have made on the days you missed.

• If you have some form of disability from your injuries, you may be eligible to claim benefits for those or get compensation for loss of earning ability.

• Out-of-pocket expenses. Other out-of-pocket expenses may be covered, such as casts, prescription medications, or additional costs.

What Should I Do After a Whiplash Injury?

• Seek medical attention. If you have been in an accident or think you may have suffered whiplash, get medical attention right away. The symptoms of whiplash are not always immediately apparent, and it may take days for you to notice any pain or other warning signs. If you were in an accident, allow the paramedics to examine you and transport you to a hospital if necessary. If you were hit on the head or injured some other way, make an appointment with a medical practitioner to examine your injuries. A healthcare professional will be able to tell you how severe your injuries are and what treatment you will require.

• Continue with any recommended treatment plan until you are cleared to discontinue. While following a treatment plan, whether it be medication or physical therapy, you may start to feel better. You should not stop treatment just because your symptoms have alleviated, though. Just because your pain level has decreased or you feel improved does not mean you are completely healed. Doctors recommend treatment plans that will address the full extent of your injuries, and they will know when it is a good time to stop treatment. Keep up with your appointments and your prescribed treatment until your doctor tells you to stop.

• Continue to monitor your condition and report any new symptoms or injuries to your healthcare provider. With injuries, it is common for new injuries or symptoms to occur due to physical activity or daily activities. Sometimes, the full nature of your injuries is not apparent immediately, and you can develop more symptoms later. Report any new developments to your physician so that he or she can alter your treatment as necessary.

Find Top Doctors for Your Whiplash Treatment

If you have whiplash injuries, medical care is one of the first steps in the process of recovery and settlement.

Call us at 1-800-897-8440 today to help you find an experienced whiplash injury doctor near you.