Filing a Whiplash Claim After a Car Accident in BC
Automobile collisions can happen without warning – which is why whiplash is such a common injury in BC, often occurring as the result of rear-end motor vehicle accidents but also from work-related injuries, sports injuries, or any other commonplace and traumatic event.
What is Whiplash?
Sudden jerking movement of the neck area and surrounding muscles can cause severe strain on ligaments – causing damage to soft tissues, injuring the spine and even causing damage to nerves that can go unnoticed at first, but create long-lasting pain and physical limitations.
The recovery time for whiplash can be as little as a few short weeks or can be an on-going process for several months and even years for many patients. This painful and often stressful mending process may require continuous medical care and can result in an interruption of normal daily activities and even lost wages.
Common Symptoms of Whiplash
Neck pain & muscle stiffness- Headaches
- Pain in shoulders
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Nausea
- Ear ringing (also known as tinnitus)
- Uncomfortable pain during sleep
- Tingling and numbness in the arms
Receiving the Right Medical Treatment
Your medical Doctor can perform a cursory examination by checking your natural range of motion, pain and sensitivity levels and many other symptoms common with whiplash injuries. Unfortunately, soft tissue damage is not always detectable by these basic methods and further diagnostic testing such as MRI or x-rays may be performed to determine further injury; including broken bones or spinal damage.
The level of treatment needed will vary depending on the severity of your whiplash injury. Patients who experience mild whiplash may only require over-the-counter medication, while other patients who have experienced extensive damage may require more specialized treatment, prescription medication and or physical therapy.
How Soon Should I File a Claim?
Not everyone will experience an injury in the same way. Some people may experience immediate pain and stiffness following an automobile collision while others may feel nothing at all aside from a little shock from the event – until the symptoms of their injuries become apparent the following day, the following week – or even several weeks later. It is absolutely crucial for anyone involved in a vehicle collision to visit his or her medical doctor and file a claim as soon as possible.
How Much Is My Claim Worth?
ICBC may try to minimize the amount of financial compensation paid out for an injury resulting from a vehicle-related collision — knowing that most people are unaware of the worth of their personal injury claim. As such, the statement you make to ICBC can drastically impact the way in which ICBC handles your claim. An experienced personal injury Lawyer will inform you about the specific claims available to you and determine their worth. Claims can include financial compensation for loss of enjoyment of life, pain, and suffering, wage loss or any other out-of-pocket expenses that may have been lost or may be lost in the future.
Additional resource: Steps in an ICBC Claim
Everyone deserves fair compensation for whiplash or any other personal injury resulting from a vehicle collision. You are more likely to be fairly compensated by hiring an experienced personal injury Lawyer who will work with you to find a fair settlement for your claim – despite what an ICBC adjuster may tell you.
Before You File an ICBC Claim
It’s important to note that if your whiplash is the result of a motor vehicle accident, ICBC’s priority is to assess your injury sooner rather than later and settle your case as quickly as possible. Once you settle with ICBC however, you will not be able to obtain additional compensation at a later date if you experience pain in the future.
The severity and effects of whiplash on people are unique to each specific case. Tim Louis and his compassionate and talented legal team can give you the solid, trusted advice you need and can deal with ICBC on your behalf. If you or your loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Metro Vancouver and would like to consult with our legal team who will do everything they possibly can to get you the personal injury settlement you deserve, contact us today for a free consultation at 604-732-7678.
