Filing an Injury Claim for Whiplash After an Accident

Car, truck, and other vehicular accidents are the most common causes of whiplash due to the sudden back-and-forth flexion of your neck that occurs on impact. However, whiplash can occur after a fall or any other accident that causes your head to abruptly jerk forward and back, damaging the muscles and tendons in your neck.

Whiplash can appear immediately after an accident or take several days (or even weeks) to develop. That is why seeking medical attention immediately after such an incident is critical, even if you are not yet experiencing whiplash symptoms. Medical records, accident investigation reports, and other evidence are essential when you are filing an injury claim for whiplash after an accident.

In this post, you will learn how to identify whiplash symptoms, what compensation is available to accident victims experiencing whiplash, how to file a claim, and more.

Know the Common Symptoms of Whiplash

Get medical attention immediately after an accident so the full scope of your injuries can be explored and documented. Learn how to recognize the most common symptoms of whiplash in yourself and others:

• neck pain that may worsen with movement
• neck stiffness and loss of range of motion
• headaches that may start at the base of the skull
• dizziness
• abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling (paresthesias)
• shoulder or back pain or tenderness

Lesser Known Whiplash Symptoms

Whiplash can cause a variety of cognitive, somatic, and psychological symptoms and conditions. These include memory loss, inability to concentrate, nervousness, irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and depression. Occasionally, whiplash suffers experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears), as well.

Whiplash Diagnosis & Treatment: What to Expect

Because whiplash affects the soft tissues in your neck, medical professionals rely heavily on their physical examination to diagnose the condition. Medical imaging tests such as a CT scan, MRI or x-rays can help rule out fractures or other types of injuries resulting from the accident but may not be useful for diagnosing whiplash.

Instead, the examining physician may ask a variety of questions about your symptoms and risk factors. Your doctor may also ask that you demonstrate your ability to perform tasks involving your neck, shoulders, and arms. They will be evaluating:

• The range of motion in your neck and shoulders.
• The degree of motion possible before you feel pain.
• Tenderness in your neck, shoulders, and back.
• How your reflexes and the strength of your limbs may be affected.

In years past, doctors recommended using a soft foam collar to stabilize the neck during whiplash treatment. However, there are concerns that this may weaken the neck muscles. Today, foam collars are used only in specific situations, as determined by the examining medical professional. Whiplash treatment may include:

• Recommended rest and immobility.
• Alternating heat and cold on the affected areas.
• Prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) muscle relaxers.
• Range of motion exercises and physical therapy.
• Prescription or OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

It is vital that you rest, follow your doctor’s medical advice, and allow the muscles and tendons in your neck to heal. Most whiplash victims can return to work and their regular routine within a few weeks.

For some victims though, whiplash can cause suffering for months or years after the accident. Chronic pain, diminished earning capacity, and a restricted range of motion can persist for years.

Types Compensation for Whiplash

Whether your whiplash symptoms are short-lived or longer lasting, the financial impact can be devastating. When your whiplash was caused by an accident due to someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness, you deserve compensation for your damages.

Compensation is available for:

• medical bills and prescriptions
• lost time at work
• physical therapy and rehabilitation
• the costs of ongoing treatment
• future medical expenses as a result of the whiplash

Each case is unique as are the settlement payouts; proving damages and liability are critical to the success of your whiplash claim.

Filing an Injury Claim for Whiplash After an Accident

Protect your right to compensation by taking these crucial steps after your accident:

1. Seek medical treatment immediately.
2. Begin documenting everything you can about the accident, the other driver, your medical treatment, and the expenses you are incurring.
3. Contact us at Zanes Law for your free initial consultation. Insurance companies try to limit the amount payable to accident victims. They know that you may be missing work and have additional expenses as a result of the accident and are hoping that the financial stress will pressure you to accept their lowest offer. We will make sure you are fully informed of your rights and fight passionately for the compensation you deserve.

You do not have to navigate the system alone. Give Zanes Law a call at 866-499-8989, and we will meet with you in your home or hospital room to learn more about your case and begin the process of filing an injury claim for whiplash after an accident.

Heatwaves and Motor Vehicle Accidents: Extremely Hot Weather is Associated with an Increased Risk of a Car Crash

Car Crash Risks & Heatwaves

Extremely Hot Weather is Associated with an Increased Risk of a Car Crash

As temperatures rise in Phoenix, your risk of a car crash may increase as well.  That is what Spanish researchers found. In a 2015 study,risk of motor vehicle accidents increased on heat wave days. Particularly with regard to driver performance-associated factors, such as distractions, driver fatigue or sleepiness. The results indicate a need for drivers to take extra safety precautions when driving in warm temperatures.  Let’s take a closer look at this analysis.

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Avoiding Phoenix Car Accidents By Turning Your Cell Phone Off

A Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer’s Input on Avoiding Car Accidents and Hands-free Cell Phone Usage

Everyday in Phoenix there are hundreds of car accidents.  So let’s focus on avoiding car accidents in the cell phone age.  Most of us accept the idea that it’s safer to chat on a hands-free device while driving than to talk while holding the phone. But is it true? You may be surprised to know that science suggests otherwise.

University of Sussex researchers found in a 2016 study that drivers engaged in conversations that sparked visual images were less likely to detect visual hazards than drivers not similarly distracted. These results suggest that hands-free phone conversations may not be as safe as believed.  This works against our belief that a hands free device is helpful to avoiding car accidents while using your phone.

The study, published in the Transportation Research Journal, observed the actions of 60 participants, divided into three groups of 20, in a simulated driving course littered with road hazards. The first group drove with no distractions. The second group drove while being required to answer questions that involved visualization. The third group drove while answering questions that didn’t require visualization.

The undistracted drivers performed best, spotting the highest number of hazards. Those drivers engaged in mental imagery performed the worst. Not only did this group detect the least number of hazards, but further tests also showed they focused on a smaller area of the road and missed hazards directly in front of them.

University of Sussex researcher Dr. Graham Hole says these results show that hands-free conversations aren’t safer than those on a handheld phone: “Hands-free can be equally distracting because conversations cause the driver to visually imagine what they’re talking about. This visual imagery competes for processing resources with what the driver sees in front of them on the road.”

Dr. Hole says that conversations are more visual than people think. We constantly evoke mental images in conversations, even if it’s just the face of the person with whom we’re speaking.

If you’re wondering why it’s not equally unsafe to chat with passengers, the National Security Council has an answer: Yes, talking to adult passengers can be a distraction. But they are also an extra pair of eyes. They can point out hazards to the driver and are likely to stop talking when traffic is challenging.

So there’s no need to take a vow of complete silence while driving. Avoiding a Phoenix car accident and using the phone really comes down to one thing, just avoid talking on the phone. (And, to be on the safe side, if traffic is dangerous, or the conversation gets heated, always be prepared to stop talking and concentrate on the road.)

If you’ve been involved in a cell phone-related car accident, contact Zanes Law at (866) 499-8989 to see how we can help you.

Facing an immigration issue? Our team can also help. Please visit www.immigrationinformation.org to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Neglecting to Use Turn Signals Properly Contributes to Phoenix Car Accidents

Phoenix Car Accidents – Input From a Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer

Neglecting to Use Turn Signals Properly Contributes to Hundreds of Phoenix Car Accidents. It seems like such an easy thing for a driver to do: Hit the signal before executing a turn. However, according to research at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) improper use of turn signals accounts for nearly 2 million accidents per year. By comparison, distracted driving receives much more public attention, yet it is the cause of half as many accidents, some 950,000 crashes per year.

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The Tragedy of Backup Automobile Accidents

A Tucson Car Accident Attorney’s Take on the Tragedy of Backup Automobile Accidents

The tragedy of backup automobile accidents is real and significant. Working as a car accident lawyer in Tucson and Phoenix I have seen this firsthand. Any auto accident involving injury or death is tragic, but backup automobile accidents can be particularly heartbreaking. A backup accident occurs when a driver reverses into a person, object or another car.

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Tucson Car Accident Attorney’s Six Tips For The Busiest Travel Days Of the Year

Tucson Car Accident Attorney’s Six Tips For Safe Holiday Driving

The AAA reports that traffic increased by 54 percent during Thanksgiving week in 2016, making these days some of the busiest travel days of the year. If you decide to hit the road during high-traffic days, consider these Tucson car accident attorney’s six tips for safe holiday driving.

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Social Host Liability When You Have a Party

Social Host Liability: Your Legal Responsibilities To Guests At Your Home

You cleaned the bathrooms and stocked the fridge for your guests. What else should you do in order to provide a safe environment and avoid social host liability? Have you inspected your home for potential hazards like slippery sidewalks? According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, even falling furniture threatens safety since around 11,076 children suffered injures from furniture tipovers between 2008 and 2010. Before hosting guests, understand your social host liability. Understand your legal responsibilities for your guests safety.

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Why Do College Students Get Hurt?

The Most Common Injuries on College Campuses

College is a thrilling experience, but can be dangerous. Although it’s a time for young men and women to explore new intellectual terrain, discover latent passions, meet lifelong friends and experiment in a safe environment, all college students need to be aware of the injuries on college campuses that occur regularly.

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Dog Bite Incidents: Who Pays Damages?

Dog Bite Incidents: Who Pays Damages?

As a personal injury attorney with offices in both Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, I talk to lots of dog bite victims.  Most are unaware that in Arizona a dog owner is responsible to compensate someone who their dog injuries, even if the dog has never bitten before. In fact, Arizona is what is known as a strict liability state.

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Pet Safety On The Fourth of July

Pet Safety

Phoenix injury lawyer Doug Zanes discusses pet safety and provides seven safety tips that will keep your pet safe on the Fourth of July. The Fourth of July is a fantastic holiday.  It is full of family and friends, amazing barbecues, fun in the pool, and, let’s not forget, fireworks! Because of everything that will be going on, it is important to consider pet safety before the holiday gets here.

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