If you have been in a car accident in Florence and sustained a whiplash injury, you may be in severe pain. You are unable to work or even move around easily without intense pain. If your neck injury was caused by another driver’s carelessness or disregard for safety, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. You should talk with a knowledgeable Florence whiplash lawyer to understand your legal rights.
At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., we will respond anywhere in North Alabama if you have a serious car accident. Our dedicated accident attorneys firmly believe that negligent drivers should be held responsible when they cause injury to others. You should not have to pay medical bills for a whiplash injury caused by a negligent driver. Our experienced Florence personal injury attorneys have recovered more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements for clients.
If you select an attorney at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., you will have the law firm that other attorneys and legal publications have recognized for exceptional legal service. Contact us online to talk to an experienced Florence neck injury lawyer.
Whiplash Lawyer in Florence, AL: What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a type of sprain or hyperextension that affects the ligaments, tendons, disks, cervical vertebrae, and surrounding tissues of the neck. If an individual’s head is thrown forcefully forward and then backward, the rapid motion can stretch the muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range and injure the neck.
Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration, especially in rear-end collisions. Oftentimes, victims are in a vehicle stopped at a light or stop sign when struck from behind by a moving vehicle. Neck strains and sprains are the most frequently reported injury in auto accident claims, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These are often referred to as soft tissue injuries or perhaps by medical terms such as cervical strain, hyperflexion, or hyperextension. An individual who suffers a slip and fall accident may also hyperextend his or her neck due to the impact of the fall. An injury to the head and neck is not always immediately apparent in the moments after an auto accident or a fall. People who have whiplash may develop symptoms within 24 hours to several days after the accident occurred. It is important to have a doctor examine you after an accident and check for any soft tissue injury symptoms.
Symptoms of Whiplash from a Car Accident in Florence, AL
The symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness;
- Limited range of motion of neck;
- Headaches;
- Pain in upper back;
- Pain radiating to arms;
- Dizziness;
- Fatigue;
- Blurry vision.
If you have been in a car accident and noticed any of the above symptoms, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible and inform the doctor that you were in a recent car accident. The physician may order x-rays, an MRI, or other imaging tests or may be able to diagnose your whiplash injury by a physical examination. Medical treatment is essential to proving a whiplash injury as well as the extent of your injury.
Some people who have a severe whiplash injury continue to experience severe neck pain, headaches, and other symptoms for months or years after the accident. The duration of your pain affects the claim value. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible so that you do not do anything to make the injury worse. Having a doctor’s independent evaluation of your condition is important if you decide to pursue a whiplash insurance settlement.
Medical Treatment For a Whiplash Injury in Florence, AL
A mild muscle strain to the neck may require only rest and over-the-counter pain medication.
If you have more severe whiplash, it can disrupt your life and your ability to perform your tasks of daily life. Your doctor may prescribe prescription pain relievers and muscle relaxants to help you sleep comfortably. The doctor may send you to a physical therapist if you have chronic neck pain or whiplash-associated disorder from the injury.
The doctor may prescribe stretching and movement exercises to improve the range of motion in your neck.
Whiplash Injury Compensation: Do I Need a Whiplash Lawyer After a Florence Car Accident?
In most cases, you should have an experienced car and motorcycle accident lawyer in Florence represent you in negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance company for a whiplash settlement. If you try to deal with the other driver’s insurance company on your own, you will be at a disadvantage. The insurer may not take your injury seriously and dismiss your claim. In some cases, the insurance adjuster will make a quick, low settlement offer, hoping you will simply take the offer before consulting with an attorney. You should not sign anything presented by an insurance company without talking with an attorney. Insurance companies increase their profits by limiting the amount they pay to settle claims.
Our experienced attorneys can help advise you so you understand what your whiplash claim is worth and the best method to pursue your claims. We offer a free initial consultation where we review your claim and talk about your legal options. We will have an informed perspective of what a reasonable whiplash settlement should be, based on the details of your injury and our years of experience representing Alabamians who have been seriously injured.
While some neck injuries are minor strains that heal on their own, a severe whiplash injury can require many months of treatment. You want a whiplash settlement that takes into account any future medical care costs you will have related to your injury. Once you agree to a settlement, you cannot ask the insurance company for more money if your future medical bills are higher than expected.
If we represent you, we will thoroughly investigate the cause of your injury, identify the at-fault parties and identify all the potential sources of insurance available to compensate you.
Our attorneys consult with your doctors and develop a detailed estimate of your present and future medical costs and other expenses related to the neck injury. Our attorneys will pursue full compensation on your behalf.
Contact a Whiplash Lawyer if You Have Been Injured in a Car Accident in Florence, Alabama
The attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., are seasoned negotiators and deal with insurance companies on a regular basis. As your advocate, our goal is to secure a settlement that reflects the seriousness of your injuries.
Morris, King, and Hodge P.C. is a well-established Florence law firm that represents people throughout Alabama. If your life has been disrupted by a severe injury, you need attorneys with the experience and determination to pursue your case through to the conclusion. We handle whiplash injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we do not get paid unless we obtain a whiplash settlement or court award for you. Trust the experience of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. To learn more about how we can help you with your whiplash injury claim, call us today or use our online attorney contact form for a free initial consultation.
