Whiplash Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

Whiplash is one of the most common motor vehicle accident injuries suffered by drivers and passengers in the U.S. every year. According to MayoClinic.org, whiplash occurs when the head is jolted suddenly forward or backward, “similar to the motion of someone cracking a whip.” Because the extreme motions happen very quickly, it causes a strain on the neck muscles and tendons that is beyond the average range caused by controlled motion.

While mild whiplash can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication and ice treatments, severe whiplash may need to be treated with the assistance of a medical professional. In very severe cases, surgery, stabilization, and even physical therapy may be necessary. Many people who experience severe whiplash may even develop resultant chronic pain for several years to come, according to MayoClinic.org.

Because whiplash is one of the most common motor vehicle accident injuries, there are several people who attempt to take advantage of its diagnosis. Many times, passengers or drivers involved in an accident in which their car was not at fault may claim to have severe whiplash injuries, sometimes months after the incident. Drivers of the at-fault car may not even be aware that the injury occurred at the time of crash. According to the Daily Mail, there was one such incident in England in which a man hit a stationary taxi at a traffic light, noticed a small impact on the taxi bumper, and was later slapped with a £2,000 personal injury lawsuit. The incident spurred a reevaluation of several fraudulent whiplash claims in the country and revealed that several lawyers encouraged victims to claim injury even in the most minor of incidents.

According to InsuranceFraud.org, billions of dollars every year go to unnecessary treatment of phantom injuries claimed in motor vehicle accidents. The Insurance Research Council found that there was up to an 18 percent increase in private passenger auto payouts from 2002 to 2007, as reported by InsuranceFraud.org. This means that any time you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in which the other person claims to be injured, the most important step is to speak with a qualified accident attorney. It does not, however, by any means imply that all whiplash injuries are false.

If you suspect that you have been a victim of whiplash, you may be eligible for compensation. Conversely, if you have been accused of injuring someone in a motor vehicle accident, you may not be at fault. Contact an Illinois motor vehicle accident attorney today.