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After your fender bender on Cameron, besides being a little shaken up, you felt fine. The EMT cleared you of any permanent injury, so you didn’t worry about any damage. However, after a few nights of restless sleep and pain, you decided to make an appointment at Holy Cross.

After a brief examination, your doctor informed you that he needed to perform some diagnostic tests (MRI, X-ray, and CT scan) because he believed you were suffering from a severe case of whiplash—which may be causing further complications. Whiplash? Seriously? But the EMT cleared you. You agree to the tests out of precaution but you have no clue how you’re going to pay for them.

So, what’s your next step? What do you have to do in order to get compensation for an injury that you didn’t cause and how do you make sure you’ll be getting the compensation you need for treatment, especially since it was originally misdiagnosed after the accident?

Steps to a Settlement

Whiplash, or symptoms of whiplash, may not be immediately present. This is why it is extremely important that you monitor your neck, head, and spine for any signs of pain or soreness following a collision. Once you’ve determined that you may have whiplash as a result of the previous collision, you must take the proper steps to not only get treatment, but to get compensation as well.

  • Medical treatment and diagnostics. Having your whiplash professionally diagnosed and treated will help provide evidence for your claim, in addition to making you feel better
  • Document medical expenses and recovery costs. Once you have your injury diagnosed, it is important to make sure you have copies of all receipts, documentation, and referrals for treatment and care. This evidence will help determine the value of your settlement, as well as help your lawyer argue your claim.
  • Contact a lawyer. Although this may not be the first step, it is the most important. An experienced lawyer can walk you through your claim, file it for you, as well as fight to make sure you’re not lowballed or exploited.
  • File a claim. Whether you do it on your own, or have your lawyer file for you, you won’t receive compensation until you file your injury claim.

When it comes to car accidents and whiplash claims, it’s always best to file as quickly as possible. The faster you file, the more evidence can be procured by your lawyer and details of the accident will be better remembered to show cause for a settlement—resulting in higher compensation. Don’t delay, if you’ve recently been in an accident that has caused you severe whiplash or other injuries, contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you get the best settlement for your injuries and the compensation you deserve.

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