Consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer after any injury accident or incident is always beneficial. Those causing injury to the neck are no different.
Having a lawyer by your side may be even more imperative when faced with a neck injury.
So many of these types of injuries are difficult to prove, and insurance companies will:
- Downplay your injuries
- Blame your pain and other symptoms on previous injuries
- Argue that your injuries aren’t what you say they are
The good news is that with a neck injury lawyer on your side, you can get the financial recovery you need to take care of your medical bills and lost income so you can pick up the pieces and move on with life.
Common Types of Neck Injuries
The most common type of neck injury is whiplash. Even though it’s a soft tissue injury, whiplash can take months to heal and intefere with work, sleep, and recreation.
An accident can violently throw the vehicle occupants’ heads forward, backward, and even side to side. The force of these movements can cause severe strain on the muscles and ligaments found in the upper neck and back. Some whiplash injuries will heal on their own after some time; however, some can leave permanent disabilities.
Disc herniation and skeletal trauma in the neck and the back are also injury concerns, as well as damage to other soft tissues. Sometimes these types of injuries require surgery and rehabilitation. Others might lead to chronic pain and the need for physical or occupational therapy.
Neck Injury Causes
Car accidents usually cause most neck injuries, often resulting in long-term pain, discomfort, and high socioeconomic costs. More than 800,000 car accidents resulting in neck injuries are reported in the U.S. each year. Overall, treating neck injuries can cost as much as $5.2 billion every year.
The anatomy of the neck makes it especially vulnerable in accidents at any speed. During a crash, the neck can suddenly jerk side to side, back and forth, or even get hit by flying debris. Passengers with seat belts often have the accident’s brunt force directed at their neck.
Forceful motions frequently cause damage to the neck’s delicate ligaments, muscles, discs, joints, tendons, nerves, or bones. To make matters worse, you may tense up immediately before impact if you know an accident is about to occur, increasing your chances of suffering a neck injury.
However, car accidents aren’t the only cause of neck injuries. Slips and falls can occur with such force that they whip the neck around or force it into the floor or ground in a fall. Workplace injuries are another common cause of neck injuries usually related to repetitive movements or straining the neck.
No matter how you sustained your neck injury, if it was the result of a deliberate, reckless, or negligent act, you deserve compensation for your damages.
Why Hire a Neck Injury Lawyer?
So, why should you call a neck injury lawyer? There are many reasons, but they all come down to you receiving the compensation you deserve for your accident.
You Have Nothing to Lose
Most personal injury attorneys work with injured victims on a contingency fee basis, beginning with a free consultation. During this consultation, they typically review your accident and the type and extent of your injuries, answering any questions you might have along the way.
If you have a valid injury claim, you can hire them to represent you at no upfront cost. They will do all they can to obtain compensation on your behalf. When working with a lawyer on a contingency fee basis, you owe them nothing until and unless they settle your claim or receive a court award on your behalf. Therefore, you have nothing to lose by letting an experienced neck injury lawyer review your case and help you pursue your legal rights.
You Don’t Know Your Legal Options and Rights
After being involved in an injury accident, many injured parties simply don’t know what to do. They don’t know their responsibilities or what the insurance company should do.
Not knowing these things can substantially harm an injury claim. When you hire a personal injury attorney, they know exactly what the process is and what needs to happen next. You can trust them to do what is necessary and to present you with your options and sound legal advice. With their representation, you can make the best decisions for you and your family.
You Don’t Know What Your Neck Injury Case Is Worth
Unless you’ve recently been in a different accident or know someone who has, it’s unlikely you know the actual value of your claim. Even if you think you know, every case is different. For example, many factors can increase or decrease your claim’s value.
If you don’t know what your case is worth, you are more likely to settle with the insurance adjuster for less than its actual value. By speaking with an attorney, you can better understand how much you stand to recover for your specific injuries and situation.
A Seasoned Neck Injury Attorney Can Maximize Your Compensation
Another reason to call an attorney after an injury accident is that they can work to maximize your compensation in many ways.
For example:
- They will investigate your injury accident to determine if multiple parties are liable for your injuries and uncover all potential sources of compensation. The more sources of compensation there are, the more money you might recover for your injuries.
- They will protect you from insurance company tactics. Unfortunately, insurance companies make it their mission to devalue and deny your claim. The more money they pay on claims, the less they can pad their pockets with, so of course, this makes sense. With legal representation, you won’t have much, if any, direct contact with the insurance company. This significantly decreases the chances of you falling victim to their tricks, such as getting you to settle for less than your claim is worth or agreeing to a recorded statement.
- They will account for all of your damages, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. They will also provide the insurance company with evidence as to why you deserve what you ask for them.
You Need Time to Heal and Rest
The aftermath of an injury accident can involve endless rounds of phone calls, emails, and paperwork. If you are trying to recover from neck or other injuries, dealing with all of this can be overwhelming or even impossible. If you hire an experienced neck injury attorney to handle your claim, you can have the time and space you need to heal from your injuries.
You will have a knowledgeable and trusted advocate on your side who can ensure they take specific actions within any given deadlines. They will stand up for you and fight for your rights while you focus on recuperating from your injuries.
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You?
One common mistake many injured victims make is providing simple yet damaging statements such as “I am okay.” Instead of saying this to the insurance company, let your treating medical professionals and facilities handle communicating information about your injuries since you are likely not a medical expert.
The insurance company might ask you to sign a legal release granting it the right to access your medical records. You should only grant them access to records related to the accident. Never sign anything without consulting your attorney.
With neck injuries, always understand that:
- They can linger, so you will need to know their full extent to seek fair compensation.
- You should pursue compensation not just for your medical expenses but also for your travel expenses to medical appointments, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
- Settlements for your injuries are final, meaning that the same injury claim can’t be reopened.
Receiving a fair settlement requires that you fully understand insurance coverage and your damages. You also need to be confident in your negotiations. Suppose you do not have this confidence or lack the knowledge to be your own advocate. In that case, it’s time to hire an experienced neck injury attorney.
The Statute of Limitations
All states have statutes of limitations for personal injuries, including neck injuries, which average about two years. Whether you suffered an injury in a motor vehicle accident or slipped and fell at the mall, you have a certain number of years from the date of your injury to file a legal claim.
If you wait past this deadline, your legal right to use the civil court system to pursue compensation will no longer exist. Keep in mind that sometimes the statute of limitations can vary depending upon the victim’s age or the type of incident that causes the injury. Talk to a local neck injury attorney to understand what statute of limitations applies to your specific case.
Although a deadline of years might seem like a long time, it’s best to contact skilled neck injury lawyers as soon as possible. They can begin gathering valuable evidence in your case that might otherwise be damaged or destroyed. Your attorney also needs adequate time to learn about your case and prepare it for negotiations.
How an Attorney Can Help Protect Your Rights?
No matter how a neck injury occurs, it has the potential to turn into a highly expensive claim. Neck injury cases are complex and best left up to legal counsel. Insurance companies aren’t about to hand over these large sums without a fight. A neck injury lawyer can stand up to at-fault parties and their insurance companies on your behalf. They aren’t afraid to hold the right parties liable for the damages they cause.
Standing Up for Your Rights
While it’s crucial to contact a neck injury lawyer as soon as possible, you can protect your rights beginning right after the accident if you:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. A medical professional should diagnose and document your injuries, as your medical records are necessary evidence in your claim. If you don’t take this step, the opposing insurance company can suggest that you didn’t suffer significant injuries in the accident or did something to cause your injury after the accident.
- Don’t speak to anyone from the insurance company. Insurance companies contact injured victims as soon as possible after an accident. They want to speak to victims before they have a chance to discuss their case with an attorney. Insurers know they can’t settle for an amount far less than their case is worth once they hire a lawyer. In addition, if you talk to an insurer about the accident, they can use whatever you say against you in your claim. They frequently take statements out of context and twist words to protect the liable party’s interests.
- File a police report when appropriate (motor vehicle accident, assault, slip and fall accident) and give your statement to the police. The police report can also be evidence in your insurance claim and is the official documentation of the accident.
Hiring the Right Neck Injury Lawyer for You
Hiring the first lawyer you see on a Google search, or the one with a huge sign at the bus stop may not be the right decision. Instead, you must consider the law firm or lawyer’s reputation. You will want to read client reviews and speak to their colleagues or clients. Ask them how easy it is to reach them with questions and how they handle client questions and requests themselves. Inquire about their results, especially if you have a substantial neck injury.
You must feel confident in the lawyer or law firm you choose to represent you. When you do your research, you can feel confident you selected the right lawyer for your case. Don’t settle your neck injury claim without consulting a seasoned attorney. Instead, contact Denver personal injury law firm today for a case evaluation and to determine the value of your case.
