In Arizona, over 29% of the car crashes in 2022 resulted in injuries, as reported by the <\/span>Arizona Department of Transportation<\/span><\/a>. Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents due to the abrupt, unexpected impact. Unfortunately, the pain and damages associated with a case of whiplash can cause significant disruption to your daily life, making it important to seek appropriate compensation to help you cope with the potential medical expenses, lost time at work, and general pain and suffering.<\/span><\/p>\n An individual\u2019s ability to <\/span>sue for an injury in Arizona<\/span><\/a> will be determined by fault, injuries, and damages incurred. A skilled <\/span>personal injury attorney in Phoenix<\/span><\/a> will be able to help you determine if you have the ability to sue for your whiplash injuries and maximize your chances of receiving appropriate compensation.<\/span><\/p>\n Whiplash is a neck injury that stems from a highly forceful and rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. It commonly occurs in car accidents because the fast lurching from the impact causes an individual\u2019s neck to whip forward and backward so quickly that it can cause serious damage. Whiplash commonly affects muscles, ligaments, joints, vertebrae, and discs in the neck. Some common signs that a person has suffered whiplash, include:<\/span><\/p>\n It is always encouraged that individuals are seen by licensed medical professionals after an accident to ensure that they are well and remedy any injuries. Even if you don\u2019t feel pain immediately, it\u2019s a good idea to seek care in case you\u2019ve experienced an underlying injury that isn\u2019t instantly noticeable.<\/span><\/p>\n In <\/span>car accident lawsuits<\/span>, documentation of the accident and injuries will be the best proof you can provide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you are able, be sure to take photos of the accident and the damage done to both vehicles. Call your insurance agent after you have been seen by medical professionals to explain the details of your accident.<\/span><\/p>\n It is important to note that it is not recommended to speak with the other party\u2019s insurance agent after an accident. Their agenda is to find any possible details that will prove their client is not at fault. Your insurance can relay the details given to them, and your attorney can speak with the other party\u2019s insurance on your behalf.<\/span><\/p>\n Medical records will be extremely important if you choose to sue for damages for your whiplash injury. Without medical proof that an injury actually occurred and needs remedy, then you do not have a case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A key challenge with addressing and understanding whiplash is that the symptoms can take some time to surface. Right after the accident, drivers may feel fine, but they should still be checked out by a medical professional. Just because you feel good does not necessarily mean you were not injured\u2014the adrenaline and shock of an accident can mask injuries and symptoms of injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n Damages are used to compensate the victim who was harmed by another\u2019s wrong-doing or negligent act. In whiplash cases, damages are broken down into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Economic damages will cover any tangible costs associated with the accident and the bills corresponding to the effects of the accident. Economic damages granted in a whiplash case can include:<\/span><\/p>\n Medical invoices will help you prove exactly how much the accident has cost you, monetarily. Be sure to keep all invoices from doctors, chiropractors, pharmacies, auto shops, or any other receipts given for the effects of the accident. This will help the jury calculate the economic damages easily.<\/span><\/p>\n Past pay stubs will be used to determine lost wages and lost earning capacity. If a party is unable to provide these documents, it will be extremely difficult to prove the exact amount of damage incurred. Keeping records and all documents related to the accident will be critical to the success of the case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Non-economic damages are those that do not have a specific monetary value associated with them but still cause a disruption to your daily life. Non-economic damages cover the intangible damages that do not have invoices to quantify the value, such as the pain and suffering associated with the injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Other non-economic damages granted in a whiplash case can include:<\/span><\/p>\n Because there are no bills involved with the non-economic effects of an accident, it can be difficult to prove exact damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can be extremely beneficial in these situations\u2014they can help convert the loss of such abilities or time into an acceptable monetary value to help you recover properly.<\/span><\/p>\n Car accident lawsuits vary depending on how your state laws are set up to govern this area of law. To successfully sue a driver for whiplash, you must prove that their <\/span>negligent driving<\/span><\/a> directly caused the injury. Medical records will prove the legitimacy of your injuries, but you and your attorney will need to prove negligence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Proving negligence and fault is not always a simple task. Reports from the insurance companies, police, and personal statements\/witnesses can be utilized to prove fault and negligence in a whiplash case. To successfully sue for whiplash, follow the below steps immediately after your accident:<\/span><\/p>\nWhiplash Injuries from Car Accidents<\/h2>\n
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Keep Records of the Accident and Your Injuries<\/h2>\n
Damages<\/h2>\n
Economic Damages<\/h3>\n
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Non-Economic Damages<\/h3>\n
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Suing for Whiplash<\/h2>\n
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Statute of Limitations for Whiplash Injuries<\/h2>\n