How to Identify Whiplash Symptoms After an Auto Accident


When you have been involved in a car accident or auto accident, you may be walking away with a few scrapes and bruises, or dealing with more severe injuries that require hospitalization and rehabilitation. Whatever the case may be, there is a strong chance that you will also experience common whiplash symptoms. Whiplash symptoms are the result of sudden injuries to the neck, and often occur when the head and neck are forced to backward, forwards or sideways during an accident.

Whiplash can occur from a car accident, an accident at work, or even from sports activities. The danger is that whiplash symptoms can take several months and even years to develop, so it’s important to identify them as early as possible so that you can be fairly compensated during the insurance claims process. An auto accident attorney can advise you on the type of records you need to keep about your injuries after a car accident, and will also work with a medical professional to determine the extent of your injuries.

Common Whiplash Symptoms

In order to determine how severely you have been injured from the accident, you will need to recognize some of the common whiplash symptoms. These include:
  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Pain in the jaw or face
  • Low back pain or stiffness in the back
  • Pain between the shoulder blades
  • Dizziness
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Neck pain or stiffness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Vertigo
  • Nausea
Approximately two thirds of auto accident victims who have whiplash injuries experience headaches, and about half feel strong pain in the back of their heads. Headaches after whiplash may show up on the morning after the accident, but in some cases, may occur weeks or months with high frequency after the accident. If you are experiencing headaches on a frequent basis, you may also experience extensive shoulder pain and soreness of the muscles above the neck and shoulders.

Treatments for whiplash injuries include anti-inflammatory tablets, and in some severe cases, injections into the spinal tissues. If you have been involved in a car accident that requires treatment for whiplash injuries, you will need to document all types of medical treatment received so that you can file a claim that provides compensation for all injuries sustained.

Common Causes of Whiplash

You may be able to better identify whiplash symptoms when you consider the events of your car accident. Any time that the muscles in the head and neck are forced into a reflex action, such as when it is forced forward and back again during a collision, you are vulnerable to experiencing whiplash. Violent rocking of the head can cause stretching and tearing of muscle ligaments in your upper back, neck, shoulders and in the muscles around your head. In some severe cases, the soft discs between the vertebrae can bulge or even rupture, causing a significant amount of pain in the upper and lower back. If the verterbrae are forced out of position, you may experience mild to severe spinal cord injuries.

How to Handle an Accident Injury Claim Successfully


When you are filing a personal injury claim or auto accident claim, it’s important to work with an accident injury claim lawyer because he or she can prepare all the documentation and present a solid case to insurance agents and the courts when necessary. Most people simply don’t know how to handle an accident injury claim and can miss out on getting the compensation they deserve. Here are some important steps to take if you want to handle an accident injury claim successfully:

1. See a physician immediately after the accident. It’s important that you seek medical treatment and care immediately after the incident and have all your injuries documented. This is not only important for your personal health and well-being but also so that you can provide evidence that you received professional medical care and have a list of all services received.

2. Get in touch with your insurance provider. Your health insurance company will need to know what types of injuries were incurred, and what type of medical treatment you received in order to compensate you according to your insurance policy. Make sure that you keep a copy of all communications and any receipts of co-pays.

3. Submit your medical and insurance claims forms. Your accident injury claim must be submitted according to your state’s guidelines and provisions. Make sure you don’t miss these deadlines, or you risk missing out on compensation, or having your claim denied. This is why it can help to contact an accident injury claims attorney shortly after the incident as they will be fully knowledgeable about the rules and regulations respective to your state.

4. Request a referral from your physician. If you plan to file an accident injury claim, it may be a good idea to request a referral from your primary care physician before you see any specialists on your own. This may help your insurance claims adjuster take your case more seriously.

5. Follow your treatment schedule. In order for the insurance adjuster to take your claim seriously and award you the full amount you are entitled to, they need proof that you are taking your health seriously and not compromising it in any way. One way to prove this is to keep up with your doctor visits and keep a record of your treatment plan. If your doctor has prescribed certain medications or referred you to another specialist, find ways to document all of these activities so that you can prove you are serious about your treatment and recovery.

6. Check your paperwork. Make sure everything that you submit is free of errors and completely accurate. Working with an accident injury claim lawyer can help at this stage, because he or she can pull together all required documentation, and review your paperwork before it is submitted to the insurance companies.

Filling out the paperwork and submitting an accident injury claim can be a lengthy and complicated process, but there are several things you can do to ensure that your claim is accepted the first time, and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

7 Things You Must Do After a Car Accident

Being in involved in a car accident or auto accident can be a traumatic experience, and in some cases, the car accident has devastating consequences. When you have been involved in a car accident or auto accident, there are several things you must do immediately after the event.

You and any injured parties will need to get medical care as soon as possible, but you will need to take steps to gather important information from everyone involved so that you can file the appropriate auto accident claim.  Here’s what you need to do after a car accident:

  1. Collect contact information. You will need to get the names and addresses of the drivers, passengers, registered owners of the vehicles, and the names of witnesses to the accident. Your personal injury lawyer and insurance companies will need this information as you go through the claims filing process.
  2. Obtain insurance policy numbers. You will need to collect the policy number and all names of the insurance companies of all drivers involved. Make sure you take down this information accurately.
  3. Make a list of all damages to the vehicles. Write down all of the damages to the vehicle, and take pictures if you can. This will help your personal injury attorney calculate damages, and also serve as proof for the insurance companies.
  4. Collect the names of police officers at the scene. Your auto accident attorney may need this information as part of the litigation process, or when they need to obtain police reports about the incident.
  5. File and get a copy of the police report. If your car accident caused damage of $200 to $500 or more (depending on the state), you will need to file a police report. Make sure you fill out all police report paperwork accurately, and get a copy for your own records.
  6. Log all medical expenses and office visits. In addition to your first visit to the doctor after your car accident, it’s important to keep track of all medical services and treatments you received as a result of the car accident. Keep a log of all dates of the visit, amount you were charged, and obtain a receipt. This information can be used by an auto accident lawyer and when filing your claim.
  7. Maintain a log of injuries and distress you experienced. In order to receive the maximum amount of compensation for your auto accident claim, you will need to keep track of all injuries sustained during and after the accident. It’s also important to keep track of any emotional and physical distress you are experiencing as a direct result of the accident.

After you have received any emergency medical care after the auto accident, contact an auto accident attorney as soon as possible so that they can evaluate your situation and determine if you will be eligible to file an auto accident claim. The sooner you begin working with an auto accident attorney, the easier it will be to present your case in court and negotiate with insurance companies.

What to Do After a Slip Trip and Fall Incident

Slip, trip and fall incidents are among the most common types of general industry accidents and can cause moderate to severe personal injuries. The most common injuries associated with a slip, trip and fall incident are back injuries, head injuries, sprained muscles, broken bones and lacerations. These types of accidents are also among the leading causes of workers compensation claims.

If you have been involved in a slip, trip and fall incident, you can work with a personal injury attorney who can review your case and ensure that you receive full compensation for damages incurred.

Common Causes of Slip, Trip and Fall Incidents

Many slip, trip and fall incidents occur in the workplace setting, construction sites, but can also happen in a public place such as a mall, shopping plaza or outside public buildings.

Slip, trip and fall incidents are often the result of:

  • Ice on the floor
  • Wet spots
  • Grease puddles
  • Polished floors
  • Electrical cords
  • Uneven walking surfaces
  • Irregular surfaces
  • Shifting floor tiles
  • Open desk drawers or cabinets

If the property owner fails to provide warning signs about potential hazards or has not been taking care of the property, they may be liable for punitive damages associated with the incident. Only a qualified slip, trip and fall accident lawyer can determine the extent of damages associated with the incident and calculate the amount of compensation you deserve.

Handling a Slip, Trip and Fall Incident

The first thing you need to do after a slip, trip and fall incident is to seek medical care for your incident. A thorough medical evaluation can determine the extent of your injuries and you can obtain a formal medical report from your physician to help you file your claim. It may be in your best interest to work with a personal injury attorney to file a slip, trip and fall claim because your attorney will be able to gather all relevant information related to your accident, and negotiate with the insurance companies if needed.

An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to review all aspects of the situation, consult with witnesses, visit the scene of the incident, and may also interview medical professionals to determine the extent of your injuries. The personal injury attorney can recover for several types of damages, including lost income from time off from work, medical bills and expenses incurred as a result of the incident, compensation for pain and suffering incurred, and other types of general damages.

What to Expect When Working with Motorcycle Attorneys

When you have been injured in a motorcycle accident because of a negligent driver, road hazards or a poorly performing motorcycle, you will need to work with motorcycle attorneys to help you file your claim or reach a settlement with the insurance company. Motorcycle accidents can be among the most severe types of accidents on the road, and can cause severe vehicular damage and bodily injuries.

Statistics show that over 80 percent of multi-vehicle accidents that involve motorcyclists are not the biker’s fault. Working with qualified motorcycle attorneys ensures that you will receive the maximum amount of compensation you deserve based on recoverable damages.

Working with Motorcycle Attorneys

Motorcycle attorneys will negotiate with insurance companies to make sure you are not settling for a compensation amount that is less than you deserve. They will make necessary arrangements to interview witnesses, gather photographs and information related to the incident, and may reconstruct the accident scene with a team of engineers if needed.

All of these steps will help to prove that you deserve a higher amount than the insurance company may be offering, and will also ensure that you will not be responsible for paying an extensive amount of out-of-pocket expenses associated with the incident.

If you are not working with a motorcycle accident attorney, you will need to contact all of the insurance companies on your own and obtain appropriate coverage information. This will help you determine the maximum benefits available to you. In most cases, it is in your best interest to work with a motorcycle attorney because he or she will be able to negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf, and reduce the chances that your claim will be denied. Working with motorcycle attorneys also increase the chances of receiving a higher than average compensation amount.

Benefits of Working with Motorcycle Attorneys

Experienced motorcycle attorneys will work towards recovering the maximum amount for your damages and ensure that you are not being taken advantage of by the insurance companies. They will review your case in detail to determine the total amount of damages you are entitled to receive. These include:

  • Damage to your motorcycle and personal items, such as biking gloves, a helmet, pants and a shirt
  • Medical bills
  • Payment of lost wages, including overtime
  • Compensation for pain and suffering incurred
  • Compensation for future lost wages

Working with motorcycle attorneys offers a number of benefits and can help you receive the highest possible compensation you are entitled to. Consider these benefits after you have been involved in a motorcycle incident so that you can make the most informed decision and recover the total amount of damages you deserve.