When you have suffered a neck injury like whiplash in an accident, you may be thinking about filing a personal injury claim. It is important to understand how whiplash injury cases work, and what you need to do in order to preserve your right to financial compensation. Our experienced Santa Fe personal injury lawyers are here to help with your whiplash case and to discuss your options for filing a claim. The following are key things to know about whiplash and personal injury cases in New Mexico.
Many Whiplash Injuries Result From Rear-End Car Accidents
Many whiplash injuries occur in motor vehicle accidents, and from rear-end collisions in particular, according to the Mayo Clinic. These injuries happen because of a “forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.”
When a whiplash injury results from a motor vehicle collision, you may have multiple options for seeking compensation. You will likely want to start the process with an auto insurance claim, and you may be able to file a claim through the at-fault motorist’s insurance company. If you cannot obtain the compensation you need and deserve through an insurance claim, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the driver responsible for your whiplash injury.
Whiplash Can Also Result From Falls and Other Accidents
Whiplash can also result from other types of accidents for which another party may be liable. According to the Mayo Clinic, other common causes of whiplash injuries are sports and recreational accidents and falls. Whiplash can also result from intentional abuse.
You Should Seek Medical Attention Even if You Do Not Have Immediate Symptoms
Whiplash is a type of injury that may not produce immediate signs or symptoms. Indeed, as the Mayo Clinic explains, it can take days before signs of whiplash appear, and those symptoms may include neck pain, neck stiffness, loss of range of motion in the neck, headaches, tenderness or pain in the shoulder or arms, tingling or numbness in the arms, fatigue, or dizziness. In some cases, people who sustain whiplash injuries may also experience blurred vision, tinnitus, sleep and memory problems, concentration difficulty, and depression. The sooner you are assessed by a medical professional, the quicker you can begin receiving the treatment you need to heal.
If you wait for a number of days before seeing a doctor and your symptoms worsen, the party who is liable for your injuries might try to argue that you bear some responsibility for the severity of your injury because you delayed medical care. In such situations, the liable party might try to argue that your damages award should be reduced according to New Mexico’s comparative fault law.
Seek Advice From a Santa Fe Whiplash Injury Lawyer
If you were diagnosed with whiplash or another type of neck injury following an accident for which another person was at fault, it is important to seek advice from a Santa Fe personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You may be eligible to file a claim for financial compensation. Contact Slate Stern Law today to learn more about how we can assist you.