Personalized Legal Attention for Your Whiplash Injury Case in Los Angeles, CA
We know how much a whiplash injury may cost you physically, emotionally, and financially at Conlogue Law LLP. Our experienced Los Angeles whiplash injury attorney knows California’s personal injury laws and has a track record of success.
We compassionately listen to your specific circumstances to construct a strong case for you. Whiplash injury claims can be complicated, but Conlogue Law LLP can help.
Our lawyers take time to understand how your injuries have affected your life and tailor their strategy to each case. We are California’s top whiplash injury lawyers because of our uncompromising dedication to justice.
Contact Conlogue Law LLP today to start reclaiming your life after a whiplash injury. Don’t delay. Let us advocate for your whiplash injury case and maximize the payout. Contact Conlogue Law LLP to experience the impact a dedicated legal team can make.
What is Whiplash?
Suddenly jolting the head back and forth causes whiplash. This sudden and violent movement is typically the result of a vehicle hitting another one from behind. The quick impact and rapid motion can stretch and tear neck and cervical spine muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Whiplash injuries range from moderate to severe, depending on the impact force.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Whiplash Injuries?
A sudden, violent head movement, either forward or backward, is what causes whiplash. This sudden movement can cause cervical strains, sprains, herniated or bulging discs, muscle and ligament injuries, and more.
Although there are other causes of whiplash besides rear-end collisions, they include:
- Physical attack or assault
- Bus collisions or accidents
- Injuries from playing contact sports
- Accidents while horse riding
- Incidents at amusement parks
- Cycling-related accidents
- Head injuries from heavy objects hitting you
- Accidents in construction zones
- Slip-and-fall incidents
A typical whiplash misconception is the force needed to injure. Unexpectedly, 5–10 mph car crashes can cause whiplash. Women may also be more susceptible to whiplash due to smaller neck muscles.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Whiplash Injury?
Ignoring whiplash symptoms can exacerbate the condition. Be aware of your symptoms, as whiplash injuries can take time to appear.
If you have any of these symptoms after a vehicle accident, assault, trauma, or neck injury, visit a doctor:
- Pain in the neck
- Stiffness in the neck
- Pain that gets worse with movement
- Limited neck movement
- Tenderness in the shoulder and upper back
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Fatigue and dizziness
- Muscle spasms
- Headaches originating at the base of the skull
In certain severe instances, individuals who suffer from whiplash injuries might encounter the following:
- Blurry vision
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling irritable
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty focusing
- Memory problems
- Experiencing depression
Whiplash victims usually heal within three months, but some may suffer for life. Research shows that 15–40% of whiplash victims acquire chronic neck pain. The signs of whiplash are:
- Feeling anxious
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Having trouble turning your neck
- Neck pain that spreads to other areas
- Tingling sensations
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fatigue or feeling tired
- Experiencing headaches
Regardless of the situation, automobile accident victims with neck pain should seek medical assistance. If your initial evaluation doesn’t answer your questions, get a second opinion. Health always comes first.
What to Do Following a Whiplash Injury in California?
To safeguard your health and legal claim after a whiplash injury in California, take these essential steps:
Seek Medical Attention
The most important step is immediate medical assistance. A doctor’s diagnosis is crucial for whiplash injuries, which may not show symptoms right away. Prompt medical treatment ensures your health and provides vital evidence for legal claims.
Preserve Evidence
Gather accident-related evidence if possible. Photograph the scene, injuries, property damage, and roads. Contact witnesses who can give accident statements.
Report the Incident
If the accident happened at work, notify the police or workplace authorities. Filing a detailed report can help your case.
Keep Detailed Records
Record any whiplash-related medical treatments, drugs, and costs. Keep track of any lost workdays or activities owing to the injury for compensation purposes.
Consult With a Whiplash Injury Attorney
We recommend consulting with our experienced Los Angeles whiplash attorney. We can help you navigate the legal process, defend your rights, and get appropriate compensation for your injuries.
Stay Mindful of Time Limitations
California has statutes of limitations for personal injury claims. It’s crucial to know these deadlines and act quickly to register your claim.
For your recuperation and safety, seek medical and legal help for whiplash injuries, which can have long-term implications. These actions will strengthen your whiplash injury case and boost your chances of fair compensation.
What Are the Common Treatments for Whiplash Injuries?
Rest and neck immobility can relieve mild pain and discomfort in many cases. Conventional treatments usually fix mild to moderate cases. In severe situations, therapies are similar, although symptoms may take longer to improve or become permanent.
If this happens, a medical specialist can help create a long-term therapy plan to help the patient. Various diagnostic and therapy approaches are possible:
- X-rays and MRIs to visualize the affected area
- Using a whiplash collar to keep the neck still
- Pain relievers, steroids, and muscle relaxers for relief
- Cold and heat therapy to reduce swelling and improve circulation
- Ultrasound to aid in healing
- Physical therapy to promote recovery
- Treatments from a chiropractor or an osteopath for specialized care
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Whiplash Injury in California?
Accident-related whiplash liability in California depends on the facts. There are several potential causes of your whiplash injury:
Negligent Drivers
If a car accident caused your whiplash, the negligent driver may be held accountable. Speeding, reckless driving, inattentive driving, and drunk driving are all forms of negligence.
Employers
If your whiplash injury occurred while driving for work, your employer may be liable. This is especially true if another driver’s irresponsibility caused the accident while you were working.
Government Entities
A government road maintenance and safety agency may be accountable for accidents caused by dangerous road conditions, poor maintenance, or inadequate signage.
Manufacturers or Product Suppliers
Defective seat belts or airbags can cause whiplash injuries. If a defective product caused your injuries, the manufacturer or supplier may be held accountable.
Other Parties
Other parties may have contributed to the accident and be accountable for your whiplash injuries. A third-party road construction contractor may be liable for the accident.
What is California’s Statute of Limitations for Whiplash Injury Claims?
California law allows two years from the accident date to sue for personal injuries, including whiplash. The statute of limitations limits this time. Knowing this deadline is vital because if you miss it, you may forfeit your injury compensation.
Rare exceptions exist to this rule. To avoid complications and missing the claim deadline, get legal assistance as soon as possible after the injury. Fast action can safeguard your rights and boost your chances of getting compensation.
How Can I Prove Negligence for My Whiplash Injury Claim?
In a whiplash injury claim, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. Establish four key elements to develop a successful negligence case:
Duty of Care
Show that the defendant owed you care. All drivers must drive cautiously and responsibly to avoid harming others in a car accident.
Breach of Duty
Show the defendant breached his duty of care. This involves establishing that their acts or inactions were less prudent than a prudent person would have done. The at-fault driver may have breached their duty of care by texting or speeding.
Causation
Show that the defendant’s negligence caused your whiplash. You must prove that the defendant’s negligence caused your harm.
Damages
Show that your whiplash injury caused genuine damage. Medical bills, lost pay, pain and suffering, and other losses are damages.
How Can I Prove My Whiplash Injury?
Whiplash is generally unnoticeable on X-rays and other imaging tests, making it difficult to prove. There are ways to bolster your case by providing evidence.
After an injury, seek medical attention immediately. A doctor’s whiplash diagnosis is vital to your case. To show how the accident impacts your daily life, record symptoms such as neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and sleeplessness in a notebook or log.
Gathering further evidence can also assist. Get police records or witness accounts for accident injuries. Photographs or videos can show how and who caused the damage. To support your compensation claim, keep medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
The pure comparative negligence rule in California allows you to seek compensation even if you contributed to the injury. However, your culpability proportion will diminish your compensation. If a jury finds you 25% accountable, you’ll get 75% of your damages.
What Are the Damages Available for My Whiplash Injury Claim?
Whiplash is a minor injury with long-term implications. Whiplash effects last for six months, making it hard to live normally throughout recuperation.
Accident victims are out of work for an average of two months due to chronic pain and limited movement, making medical costs and daily expenses difficult to pay. You can sue for whiplash if someone else caused it.
A financial settlement from the accountable party can help during this trying period. Economic and non-economic damages are usually recoverable in California.
Economic Damages
Economic damages help cover accident and injury-related costs. These damages aim to restore your financial situation before the disaster. Examples of economic harm include:
- Medical bills and healthcare expenses
- Repairs or replacement for damaged property
- Costs for rehabilitation and recovery services
- Compensation for lost wages during the recovery period
- Financial support for any decrease in earning capacity due to the injury
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages help with mental and bodily distress from your injuries. The amount awarded for these damages can vary greatly because they are personal and hard to measure. Compensation for non-economic damages includes:
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Support for dealing with depression
- Assistance in coping with anxiety
- Compensation for the loss of enjoyment in life
Why Do I Need a Whiplash Injury Attorney in California?
Whiplash costs add up quickly. Suing can be vital to getting compensation. By hiring our lawyers, you can maximize your chances of collecting the most compensation.
Here’s how our Los Angeles whiplash injury attorney can assist you with your legal claim.
You Require Sufficient Time for Recovery
Pain, medication, and patience are needed to recover from whiplash. Managing a lawsuit while in rehabilitation can add stress and slow recovery. Leaving your legal issues to Conlogue Law LLP lets you focus on getting healthier. Your matter will be handled properly, offering you peace of mind during this difficult time.
Ensuring a Fair and Balanced Process
After a car accident, you’ll likely deal with an insurance company. Remember that these companies may not care about you. They often reduce your compensation.
They prefer you not hire a lawyer because they know their manipulative methods may work better if you handle the issue alone. Our skilled personal injury attorney will demand a fair and acceptable settlement offer from the insurance company, protecting your rights.
Establishing Cause and Liability Can Be Challenging
To maximize your compensation, determine the accident’s cause. Our experienced Los Angeles whiplash injury attorney will investigate all possible reasons to find all parties at fault.
We can accurately identify liability and seek compensation from anyone who contributed to your injury by doing so. We want to make sure you get compensated for your harm.
Protecting Your Interests Even If You Bear Partial Responsibility
Accident compensation is possible even if you were at fault. You can still sue if someone else caused the situation. Your compensation depends on how much you contributed to the accident.
We will actively seek evidence that reduces your fault in the accident, as the less fault you share, the bigger your compensation. We want to maximize your financial recovery by showing that others are more responsible.
Your claim should be started as soon as possible for the greatest results. Contact Conlogue Law LLP to start your case strong. Use your own judgment. See our case results for the many verdicts and settlements we’ve won for our clients.
Let us do the same for you. Contact us today to see how our firm can help you get the most out of your recovery.
Take the First Step Towards Reclaiming Your Life
Los Angeles whiplash injury attorneys are dedicated to helping whiplash victims get justice and fair compensation. Conlogue Law LLP is your valued champion in this difficult path. You can trust our team to handle your whiplash injury case.
We listen to your particular situation and provide specialized assistance with compassion. Our unrelenting pursuit of justice has made us one of California’s top personal injury law companies.
We have a team that knows the law and cares about your recovery and compensation. Get whiplash justice by taking the first step. Conlogue Law LLP is your staunch ally at this difficult time.
Discover the difference our exceptional legal services can make for your case. Our legal team can also assist you with Vehicular Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Longshore Claims, and Maritime Accidents. Reach out to us today and let us navigate the complexities of your personal injury claim, allowing you to focus on your recovery and a brighter future.
