Whiplash is a common neck injury in automobile accidents. It can cause significant pain and immobility that interfere with an individual’s ability to work and enjoy life. In New Mexico, it is possible to file an insurance claim or lawsuit for a whiplash injury from a car crash. You may need to hire a Albuquerque, New Mexico car accident attorney to help you achieve a fair case result.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash describes a soft-tissue neck injury that can arise from the aggressive whipping motion of the head and neck in a car accident. Injuries involving the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the neck are common in rear-end car accidents specifically, where the force of the collision jerks a driver’s head rapidly forward and backward, tearing or injuring the soft tissues.
Whiplash Effects and Treatments
Damage to the neck due to whiplash can cause a variety of symptoms. A victim may notice these symptoms immediately after a car accident or they may appear in the hours or days following. Prominent symptoms of whiplash include:
- Pain in the neck or radiating down the arms
- Neck stiffness or immobility
- Pain with neck movement
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Ringing in the ears
- Persistent headache
- Dizziness
- Memory problems
Some victims experience chronic neck pain and long-term complications from whiplash. This is more common if the injury is severe or not properly treated. Common treatments are ice and heat therapy, physical therapy, rest, chiropractic care, massage, and medications.
How to Seek Compensation for a Whiplash Injury in New Mexico
Whiplash injuries is a compensable type of injury in a New Mexico car accident case. This and other neck injuries can make a crash victim eligible for financial compensation from the other driver or a different at-fault party. This may include compensation for the following:
- Current and future necessary medical care
- Lost wages or capacity to earn
- Long-term or permanent disability
- Physical or chronic pain
- Emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you are interested in recovering financial compensation for a whiplash injury as a car accident victim in New Mexico, start by getting medical care. Keep copies of your medical records as proof of your neck injury and treatments.
Gather as much information as possible about the accident and your injury. This may include a police report, witness statements, and photos and videos. Contact your own car insurance company to notify them of the collision. Then, file a claim against the at-fault driver.
When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer for a Whiplash Case
Even a minor automobile accident can cause whiplash from the force of the impact. If you are diagnosed with whiplash or other neck injuries after a car accident in New Mexico, contact an attorney to seek advice and assistance.
An attorney can help you pursue maximum financial compensation by taking over negotiations with an insurance company for you or bringing your case to court, if necessary. It is especially important to hire an attorney if your whiplash injury is severe, with long-term effects or health complications. Challenges such as liability disputes may also require oversight from a car accident lawyer.The Fine Law Firm offers free initial whiplash injury consultations over the phone or in person. Contact us today to discuss your particular case and how we can help.