Car accidents are painful experiences that cause physical and emotional injuries. One common injury faced during a car accident is whiplash, a neck injury caused by continuous and rapid neck movements. If not treated well, it can cause long-term pain and discomfort. If you have experienced whiplash during a car accident and want to file a claim, a Fort Wayne car accident lawyer can help! This article is a complete guide on the top 5 steps to build a whiplash claim after a car accident. Let’s dive in!
Steps To Build A Whiplash Claim After A Car Accident
1. Get Medical Attention Immediately
Firstly, after the whiplash injury, seek medical assistance to ensure there are no major neck-related injuries. Visit the nearest emergency care center, meet the doctor, and explain about the accident. They may conduct a CT scan, MRI or x-rays for deep analysis. If you’re experiencing pain or stiffness, discuss it with your doctor.
2. Collect Evidences
Evidence plays a significant role in building a whiplash claim; thus, they are an important aspect of your case. After seeking medical assistance, visit the crash scene and collect all necessary evidence like photos of your injuries, car crash scene, your vehicle, and the road. You may also collect a copy of the police report and medical report.
3. Document All Expenses And Losses
Maintain a record of all losses and expenses faced during the car accident. During the accident, you may experience expenses like medical bills, prescription, physical or massage therapy and others. In case you’re unable to work due to the injury, make a record of the lost income and benefits. All of these will be handled by the insurance company.
4. Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer
The next step is one of the most important steps to get a whiplash claim is hiring a personal injury lawyer. After an accident, a lawyer can help you with evidence, complete all the paperwork, and talk to eyewitnesses and your insurance company for maximum claim. Having them onboard provides complete peace of mind.
5. Negotiate With The Insurance Company
At times, the insurance company refuses to pay for the losses incurred. In such cases, a personal injury lawyer will negotiate with your insurance company representative for a fair settlement. In case you do not agree, you may file a lawsuit. For filing a lawsuit, having a lawyer by your side is important as they can fight for your rights.
Wrapping Up
After a car accident, you must hire a lawyer to build a whiplash claim as it becomes easier to recover all losses and expenses.
