Neck injuries are common injuries suffered in Las Vegas car accidents. Depending on the force of impact, neck injuries can produce a wide range of symptoms from chronic pain and stiffness to permanent disability. The Spine Research Institute of San Diego reports there are roughly three million whiplash injuries every year across the country.
If you have suffered a whiplash injury or another neck injury in a car accident in Las Vegas, contact the attorneys at Sam & Ash Injury Law right away. Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers have recovered more than $400 million in compensation for our clients. We know precisely how to help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries. Call our Las Vegas office today for a free initial consultation.
What Is a Whiplash Injury?
Whiplash injuries are soft tissue injuries caused by the neck extending beyond its normal range of motion.
If another car hits your vehicle from behind, the impact can cause your head to snap backward and then forward or vice versa in a violent motion.
What Happens When You Get Whiplash from Car Accident in Las Vegas?
Whiplash is usually caused by a sudden change in momentum after the initial impact of a car crash.
The rapid movement of your head can stretch and tear muscles, tendons and discs in the neck and shoulders, causing a neck strain or sprain.
In severe cases, the damage from a whiplash injury may require surgery and long-term physical therapy.
Symptoms of Whiplash Injury
The common symptoms of whiplash injuries are:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness in the neck
- Shoulder pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Blurred vision
- Numbness in the arm
- Headaches, especially at the base of the skull
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
- Memory trouble
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling irritated without an obvious cause
How Do You Treat Whiplash After a Car Crash?
Many whiplash injuries can be treated with over-the-counter pain relief medication. But in more serious cases, treatments for whiplash may include:
- Massage
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Muscle relaxers
- Physical therapy
- Wearing a neck collar
- Surgery
What To Do for Whiplash After a Car Accident in Las Vegas?
The best way to minimize the effects of a whiplash injury after a car accident is to see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor can examine you for signs of whiplash and provide treatment to address the pain and other effects of the injury.
A whiplash injury may not be obvious immediately after a wreck. But you may wake up the next day feeling neck pain and stiffness. A doctor can screen you for signs of swelling or neck injury. Delaying treatment also could make it harder for you to recover compensation for your injuries.
What Neck Injuries Do Car Accidents Cause?
Besides whiplash, other neck injuries commonly caused by car accidents include:
- Neck sprains and strains
- Herniated or slipped discs in your upper vertebrae
- Pinched nerves
- Damage to the facet joints, which allow the head to turn
- Compression fractures or other damage to the bones in the neck
Some of these injuries can cause permanent damage. Be sure to seek medical help as soon as possible after a car crash.
How Do You Prove a Whiplash Injury in Las Vegas?
The best way to determine whether you have a whiplash injury is to see a doctor as soon as you can after a car accident. Your doctor can diagnose your injury and get your treatment started.
Your medical records and treatment can be used as evidence to prove the neck injuries you sustained in the collision.
The types of evidence that can be used to prove your whiplash injury was caused by a collision include:
- Police accident reports
- Photos from the accident scene
- Eyewitness accounts
- Testimony from medical experts
If you’ve been in an accident, it’s important to contact the police and obtain the other driver’s personal information at the scene. The police report will document the facts of the accident and the drivers involved.
What Compensation Is Recoverable for a Whiplash Accident in Las Vegas?
Nevada law allows car accident victims to pursue compensation for their medical expenses and losses related to a whiplash injury, including:
- The cost of medical treatment
- Lost wages while recovering from the injury
- Reduced future earning potential due to a long-term disability
- Pain and suffering from the injury
- Emotional distress caused by the accident
Whiplash Injury Claims Las Vegas, Nevada
There are two ways to pursue compensation from the other driver if you have suffered whiplash in a car accident in Las Vegas. The first step is to file an injury claim against the other driver’s insurance company.
Most whiplash injury claims are resolved through insurance settlements. You and your attorney will gather and present evidence to support your claim, then attempt to negotiate a settlement. If you and the insurance company can reach a settlement, the case will end there.
If the insurance company disputes liability or refuses to agree to a fair settlement, it may be necessary to take your case to court. If you need to go to court, you will want to have an experienced Las Vegas trial lawyer standing up for you.
Filing a Whiplash Injury Claim After a Las Vegas Car Accident
You generally have two years from the date of a car crash to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. If you miss this deadline, you will most likely lose your chance to recover any compensation for your injuries.
Make sure to speak to an attorney as soon as possible after the crash . Investigating an accident and preparing a lawsuit take time.
Contact an Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas for Help Today
Don’t wait until it is too late to take legal action if you’ve suffered whiplash after a Las Vegas car accident. Seek help right away. Our car accident lawyers know how painful and debilitating neck injuries can be. We want to help you get the full compensation you need to move forward after a serious injury. We will fight for What’s Right. Contact Sam & Ash Injury Law today for a free consultation with a whiplash injury lawyer.
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