If you or someone you know was recently involved in an automobile accident that was not your fault and are now suffering from a stiff neck or a sore neck, you may have sustained whiplash injuries. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our experienced Miami whiplash attorneys can diligently scrutinize the merits of your case and seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We strongly believe in holding negligent parties responsible for the harm that they cause.
According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid, back and forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. Put another way, whiplash is a soft tissue neck injury that is typically sustained when a person’s head is suddenly jerked backwards and then forwards. This type of injury most often takes place during a rear-end car accident. However, semi-truck accidents, workplace accidents, slip and falls, assaults, and other catastrophic events can also cause whiplash injuries.
The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that neck pain resulting from whiplash is the most commonly reported injury related to insurance claims in the United States. In fact, IIHS data reveals that approximately 66 percent of all claimants who filed bodily injury liability coverage in 2002 claimed neck injuries. Other estimates indicate that there are about 120,000 annual incidents of whiplash in the United States.
If your whiplash injury was caused by someone else’s carelessness, you may be able to file a negligence claim against that party. Negligence is a failure to exercise due care. Due care is defined as the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would use in the same or similar circumstances. As a result, what is considered reasonable will vary based on the specific situation. In order to win on a negligence claim, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant owed him or her a duty to exercise due care, that the defendant breached this duty, and that the defendant’s actions were a direct cause of the accident and the plaintiff’s resulting injuries. Negligence claims are highly fact-intensive, which is why acting quickly after an accident is crucial to making sure we can gather all the evidence we need for your claim.
Symptoms of whiplash injury can continue for months, and in some cases, even years. For the victim, this can mean costly ongoing treatment for pain management and loss of income from time off work. As a result, Florida law allows victims of whiplash to recover a variety of damages from an at-fault party. Typically, a plaintiff will be able to seek medical costs, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost income, and more. Of course, the exact amount of compensation will vary depending on the extent of the plaintiff’s injury.
If you suffered a whiplash injury, it is important to seek the help of a skilled Miami injury attorney who can assess the situation. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we understand the importance of taking these injuries seriously because they can cause ongoing and even long-term pain for a victim. With years of experience, we have proudly represented many South Florida clients and can represent you as well. For more information, do not hesitate to call us at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or contact us online today.
More Blog Posts:
Tesla Autopilot Accidents in Florida – Who is Liable?, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, October 7, 2016
Dangerous and Defective Florida Roadways, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, October 7, 2016
Appliance Accidents in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, October 7, 2016