Years can pass after whiplash, and the agony and suffering it causes can endure a lifetime. It’s critical for victims of auto accidents to realize that whiplash is a condition that not everyone recovers from quickly. Make sure there won’t be any long-term problems before accepting a speedy settlement from the insurance company.
If you believe you have had long-term or chronic whiplash, you should consult with a skilled Florida auto accident attorney. Once your PIP has run out, attorneys will review your case and assist you in bringing a personal injury claim against the other driver.
The insurance adjusters could not give you the money you are due if you don’t have legal representation. Whiplash claims, particularly those involving chronic or long-term whiplash, are not often taken seriously by insurance adjusters. Without substantial proof, they won’t want to provide you the fullest amount of money. After whiplash, our legal team can defend your rights, and we’ll take insurance companies to court to get you the money you need and deserve.
Effects of Whiplash in the Long Run
Whiplash, which is frequently linked to auto accidents, is more than just stiff necks and restricted movement. Its long-term impacts may include a range of neurological and physical issues that could lower your quality of life in general. These outcomes could consist of:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Memory Loss
- Headaches
- Pain
Interestingly, these symptoms’ persistent nature can cause serious mental and emotional suffering. Studies show that those who experience long-term whiplash symptoms are more likely to experience new-onset mental pain and emotional distress, which is frequently caused by the frustration of managing a chronic and permanently altered injury.
How Common Is Long-Term and Chronic Whiplash?
For those who have been in auto accidents, chronic whiplash is still a serious worry. A compelling study about the long-term effects of whiplash was published in the medical journal Neurology.
Researchers found that pain and stiffness prevented over 3% of whiplash victims from returning to their pre-accident levels of activity more than a year after the injury.
These researchers followed 3,124 victims of motor accidents over a period of seven years. They discovered a significant prevalence of long-term whiplash effects, with the degree of impact changing according to the kind of accident and the severity of the original injury.
Following whiplash, the chance of acquiring a chronic disability and handicap could exceed 40% in some groups. This figure emphasizes how serious whiplash injuries can be.
Interestingly, the study also discovered that those with no obvious indicators of injury on their X-rays could nonetheless have significant whiplash symptoms. This feature may add to the difficulty of a diagnosis and any ensuing insurance claims.
Who May Suffer From Prolonged Whiplash Effects?
While most people who have whiplash injuries recover in a matter of weeks or months, some do not. Individuals with disabilities, elderly people, and children are particularly susceptible to long-term whiplash effects. Furthermore, it could be challenging for someone who had a severe whiplash injury to properly heal without any long-term repercussions.
What Makes a Lawyer Necessary When You Have Prolonged Whiplash Effects?
Proof of whiplash claims can be difficult to come by, particularly when symptoms appear later. Personal injury or car accident attorneys are skilled in negotiating these difficulties and can assist in obtaining the proof you need to support your claim.