Whiplash is caused by a sudden back and forth movement. The victims are injured immediately, but they seldom experience the full effects of whiplash until hours later. Whiplash is a common accident injury, and many cases gradually get better with time. However, some whiplash cases don't get better. Read on to find out more.
When Whiplash Hangs Around
Accident injuries like whiplash need time to heal. It's a mistake to accept an accident settlement before you know what the future holds after a whiplash injury. For example, if you assume that the whiplash injury will continue to get better as time goes on, you might agree to a settlement.
However, what if the whiplash does not go away? You could be permanently injured by whiplash. It could affect your everyday enjoyment of life for a long time. You might find that you can no longer work at your job and that your income is affected. That is why accident victims affected by a whiplash injury must wait a bit longer to settle their cases.
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)
Accident victims may become familiar with the term maximum medical improvement. This term means that a victim's medical condition is at a standstill and no further improvement is expected. In other words, things are about as bad as they can get with no expectation of improvement. After you have had a special medical exam and are determined to be at MMI, you can now settle your personal injury case.
You know what your level of disability is regarding your whiplash injury, which may now be defined as a permanent affliction. This can be a sad time for accident victims who were hoping to get better. It's also a time to go after the monetary compensation you are owed from the driver that caused your pain and suffering from whiplash.
Watch Out for Your Future Needs
Chronic whiplash will create the need for long-term medical treatments. Pain management and physical therapy may be employed to help the victim deal with the symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no surgery that can alleviate the symptoms of chronic whiplash. What you can do, however, is speak to your personal injury lawyer about future medical needs.
Your personal injury lawyer will work with experts to evaluate what you will need in the future and the cost of it. Then, a demand will be prepared for the other driver's insurance company. You deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering, medical treatment, loss of income, and more. Contact a law firm like Houston & Alexander PLLC to learn more.
Share