Challenges in Seeking Compensation for Whiplash After an Alaska Car Crash
The most obvious injuries in an auto accident may include broken bones, cuts, burns, head trauma, and others, but there are some that may not be openly visible if you are a victim. Whiplash is an example and it can put you in a difficult position when you are attempting to recover monetary damages from the responsible driver’s insurance company. However, despite pushback from the insurer, it is still important that you pursue all legal remedies to obtain the compensation you deserve for whiplash injuries. You could experience intense, chronic pain for many years, and there may even be physical limitations that affect your life and job.
Because of the unique complexities in proving whiplash and other soft tissue injuries, you should retain a Alaska car accident attorney to overcome such challenges as:
Delayed Symptoms and Whiplash Injuries
Many auto crash injuries cause immediate pain or discomfort, but the effects of whiplash and other soft tissue trauma may not manifest right away. Online health information resource WebMD reports that victims may not experience symptoms for days, weeks, or even months. At the scene of the collision, you might refuse treatment or admit that you feel fine; later, you might be tempted to post on social media about not being hurt. Keep in mind that both of these acts could be a mistake when it comes to filing an injury claim. You may not know the extent of your injury and your words can be used against you later and lead to a denial of your claim.
Challenges with Whiplash in Minor Accidents
The impact of a serious car accident often leads to the violent back-and-forth head movement that results in whiplash. Still, many people suffer soft tissue injuries in seemingly minor crashes. Even when vehicles are traveling at 10 miles per hour, the fragile tissues of the back and neck still sustain trauma. In such a situation, you could have a tough time proving you are entitled to monetary damages because your car may not be seriously damaged. The insurance adjuster would assume you were not hurt badly.
Ongoing Complications from Whiplash Injuries
Another challenge in getting compensation through an insurance claim is that the effects of whiplash can last much longer than broken bones or lacerations. The spinal cord is a complicated structure encompassing multiple components, each of which need proper recovery time from the trauma. Long-term, chronic conditions may include:
- Mood swings and depression;
- Anxiety and stress;
- Vision problems;
- Dizziness and light-headedness;
- Difficulty sleeping;
- Trouble with memory;
- Problems concentrating;
- Ringing in the ears;
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, and/or talking; and,
- Many others.
Set Up a Free Consultation with an Alaska Car Accident Lawyer
If you sustained whiplash or other soft tissue injuries in an auto collision, it is critical to work with a skilled attorney when filing an insurance claim and in court. For more information on your legal remedies, please contact Power & Power Law to schedule a no-cost case evaluation at our offices in Anchorage, Alaska. We are happy to review your circumstances and discuss strategies for seeking compensation for your losses.