Posts Tagged ‘whiplash’

Accidents That Result In Whiplash Injuries

November 15th, 2010

If you have been in an accident and have received a whiplash injury, then you need to work quickly to become represented by a Sacramento personal injury attorney. You need to learn about whiplash and what it means for you to have the help of a personal injury attorney to receive the compensation that you are due.

What You Must Know About Whiplash Injuries

When you are the victim of an accident of some sort and you receive whiplash injuries, you must be sure to protect your rights and seek the help of a personal injury attorney right away. Find a competent and aggressive attorney that will help you to receive the maximum compensation that you deserve.

Whiplash happens when you have a sudden movement in your neck that pushes it either forward or backward. When a vehicle jolts from impact or moves forward or backward suddenly, this can happen. You can suffer a whiplash injury and not even be aware of it right away; it can sometimes take two days or more to have the pain set in. If you have this painful and debilitating injury, it requires medical attention.

For those who are victims of whiplash injuries in Sacramento, California, or surrounding areas, then you must contact a Sacramento personal injury attorney who is experienced in dealing with these types of injuries. Your attorney can assist you in obtaining the medical evidence that is required to file a proper claim.

The following tips will be of help to you if you have experienced whiplash:

1. Never admit liability or guilt. Phrases like “I didn’t see”, and “I was distracted”, among others, will hurt your case in court. The other party’s insurance company will have a deeply vested interest in avoiding paying compensation to you for your injury. Do not add fuel to their fire by admitting liability to any degree.

2. Never confess that you feel fine. As mentioned above, a whiplash injury can take days to manifest into recognizable symptoms. Although you feel fine following an accident, you can begin to experience the symptoms and pain of whiplash later on. At the first sign of symptoms, be sure to seek immediate medical attention in order to speed your recovery and document your injuries.

3. Do not talk to the other party’s insurer. Often, following an accident, the at-fault party’s insurer will have an adjuster call on you in an attempt to get you to make a statement. Don’t. The claims adjuster may use any statement that you make to downplay your injuries when you file a claim.

4. Avoid accepting a low-ball settlement offer. By allowing a qualified Sacramento personal injury attorney to represent you, you can be assured that you will receive the maximum compensation that is due to you under the law. Your attorney can help you receive monetary compensation for your injury, including money for time lost from work, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and future medical costs. Most attorneys will represent you in court without the need for you to be out-of-pocket for their services. They collect their fees and costs only when you win your case.

If you need a great Sacramento personal injury lawyer, you can call Clancy, Doyle, and O’Donnell at 1-800-632-5529. If you should need a Sacramento auto accident lawyer, they can help.


I Have An Injury, Can I Claim?

October 27th, 2010

A broad spectrum of injuries are involved in personal injury litigation, ranging from whiplash sustained in a car accident, vibration white finger from operating machinery in a factory, and even post traumatic stress fall under this category, showing that personal injuries are not just physical. Personal injuries can presented both long and short term effects of varying seriousness.

Pursuing compensation in a No Win No Fee claim is a legal and civil right in the UK, although many accident victims do not utilise this method as they are unsure of the rights and compensation services they are entitled to. This system was put in place in 1995 to ensure that everyone had access to justice. The financial risk to claimants is lessened as they do not have to pay a fee if they lose their case. Consequently, if you do not have a strong enough claim your solicitor will not proceed with the case.

You may be entitled to claim compensation if you have been injured in the past few years and you have the evidence to show that it was not your fault. Before progressing with your claim, you should first undergo treatment for your injuries, and when you have a clear prognosis you will be able to pursue a claim.

Evidence is crucial in proving that someone else was responsible for your injury. Ensure that you retain as much information as possible about the location and date that the injury was sustained and gather any witness details. It may also be useful to retain receipts and payslips if you are intending to claim for loss of earnings or other financial expenses that were incurred as a result of the injury.

It may seem complicated, but making a personal injury claim can guarantee you the time to fully recover without having to worry about finances. Personal satisfaction can also be gained through the knowledge that your actions will prevent anyone else suffering the same accident or injury.

For compensation injury claims or accident at work solicitors liverpool you should search the web to receive more information


How Much For A Personal Injury Claim?

October 27th, 2010

If you have been deterred from claiming compensation for an injury in the past, it is definitely worth considering claiming today for the chance to receive thousands of pounds in compensation.

The No Win No Fee claims process that was made a legal and civil right 15 years ago means that there is little risk involved if your claim is unsuccessful. Whatever your financial situation you are entitled to free access to legal advice. An added benefit offered by many solicitors is the chance to receive 100% of the compensation if you win your case. This is because any solicitors or court costs are recovered from the other side.

A number of factors will influence the amount of compensation you can claim, and determining this amount is crucial at the start of any personal injury claim. The Court acknowledges that all cases are different so there is no standard compensation award. The nature and extent of the injuries sustained, the speed of your recovery, the effect the injuries have had on your life and any financial losses will all be factored in to your claim.

Pain and suffering and activities which you are no longer able to carry out is considered in any compensation claim. Personal injury claims are primarily based on medical evidence. It is important to record details of your medical assessments and ask your doctor for a long term prognosis if at all possible. If you are likely to be affected by the injury for a prolonged period of time it may boost the amount of compensation you receive. Financial losses will also be considered so keep information in the form of invoices and payslips.

Most insurance companies have their own damage formula which they will use to negotiate compensation. Medical expenses are multiplied depending on the extent of the injury. If the injuries are minor this will only be around 2, but if the injuries are particularly serious this could reach up to 5. Loss of earnings will then be added to this figure. Your solicitor will also consider the percentage of fault of the person responsible for your injuries. If they were only a little at fault your damages formula will be reduced accordingly.

By claiming for compensation you could potentially eliminate any money worries while you are recovering from your injury.

claims whiplash and industrial accident claim can be pursued by an expert personal injury solictor to ensure you receive maximum compensation


The Rationale You May Benefit From A Personal Injury Attorney

October 20th, 2010

Getting into an accident can be the most horrible thing that can happen in a person’s life. If you are have ever suffered in an accident, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. The bills keep piling up, and to make matters worse, you can’t go to work. It’s a double whammy.

So what do you do? You are in a particular bind if you don’t have any health insurance or automobile insurance to speak of. Sometimes the person who is responsible for the accident will do the right thing and offer to pay, but often times that is not the case. Most of the time, you are left to your own devices.

Fortunately, a good lawyer will be able to take care of all of this for you. You can easily find yourself receiving a sizable payment This can help in a couple of ways. Primarily, your medical bills will no longer be a concern. Another thing this will help with is pay you for time lost from work. And there is usually quite a bit left over to compensate you for all of your horrible pain and suffering.

An additional fantastic thing about selecting a personal injury attorney is that they simply get compensated from commission. They will not take one single cent from you unless you win your case. And even then they take their fee out of your compensation, as a percentage. That way you will have zero out of pocket cost.

If you desire a lawyer, presently there are several reasons this can be a good choice you can generate. Once you realize how this functions, you can easily find yourself in a significantly better mood that you may be in at the moment. Numerous men and women have noticed this, and so can you.

So right now there is no good reason to suffer anymore. With the appropriate attorney, you can obtain the money to pay your bills, stay away from work as long as you require, and recuperate completely and acquire peace of mind.

With the right whiplash lawyer you can get some whiplash injury claims


What Is Whiplash?

October 11th, 2010

A sudden jolt to the neck is a common cause of whiplash. As the head snaps forward and quickly backwards again, for example in a rapidly halting car, the delicate tendons and ligaments in the neck are stretched and suffer trauma.

Whiplash is commonly caused by careless driving, particularly when a vehicle is rear-ended by another as this causes the head to jolt forward rapidly. Around 17% of motor insurance claims involve whiplash injuries. Women in particular are more vulnerable to this type of injury, as it is believed their neck muscles are not as strong as men’s. Contact sports and extreme sports are also major causes of whiplash injuries. Boxing, rugby and martial arts frequently threaten sportsmen heavy blows to the head and falls which may knock the head. Horse riding also poses the potential danger of being thrown from the horse.

Temporary symptoms will manifest themselves 12 to 24 hours after the impact or blow. Stiffness, restricted movement of the neck, headaches, pins and needles, and pain to the neck, back and shoulder are typical symptoms that should alleviate quickly. It is only in extremely unusual cases where full movement will not be restored, with some people left suffering severe and long-lasting disability several months after the accident.

The National Health Service advises that symptoms disappear within days and that over half of all whiplash casualties recover completely within one to four weeks. It is unlikely for your injury to continue causing you pain after a month, though in extremely rare cases people can suffer lasting disability.

The alleviation of pain is the primary focus of treatment for whiplash; secondly effort is made to heal any damage to the essential muscles, tendons or ligaments in the neck. Exercise and physical therapy are advised to encourage the healing process over the traditional methods of rest and immobilisation of the neck in a neck brace.

Whiplash is explained at whiplash explained


San Diego Chiropractor Reveals Reason For Car Accidents

September 30th, 2010

At New Century Spine Centers in San Diego, many people come in for treatment of whiplash from car accidents. Some days more car accidents occur than others. Here are the top 10 deadliest days of the year to drive (in order of most deadly to less deadly): July 4, July 3, December 23, December 24, December 22, August 3, January 1, September 1, September 2, August 4.

The time of day also has a bearing on chances of getting an accident. The deadliest times of the day to drive are in San Diego are: 3pm-6pm, 6pm-9pm, and 9pm-midnight, noon-3 pm, midnight-3am. This is something to consider when driving in San Diego to avoid increasing your chance of getting an accident.

This is important so you can be aware and drive more carefully on these days and times. But, it is also important because we have just passed some of those top days! If you’ve recently been involved in an automobile accident, here’s something you should know: Whiplash is a very common car accident injury. Whiplash is an injury to your neck caused by a rapid back and forth motion of your head. This can cause neck pain now or in the future.

With the many different treatment options available for whiplash, the best evidence after reviewing research from 1980-2000 revealed that manual therapies by chiropractors and exercise was the most effective approach. Manual therapies performed primarily by doctors of chiropractic are the most very satisfying form of treatment for whiplash conditions. Additionally, spinal decompression therapy is utilized by the chiropractors at New Century Spine Centers to fix disc bulges and herniation.

Like all chiropractors and medical offices, care may vary from office to office. It is important that you pick the best chiropractor to treat your injuries. So if you are looking for a Chiropractor who offers short term, affordable injury care, or if you have questions, call New Century Spine Centers in San Diego. They can be reached at 619-630-9153 or their website is www.BackCareTreatment.com. You can be seen immediately with no obligation to extensive treatment plans.

Looking to find the best information on headaches, then visit www.backcaretreatment.com to find the best advice on chiropractic care for you.


Can Chiropractic Get To The Cause Of A Headache

August 18th, 2010

Chronic headaches are a mystery to many physicians and chiropractors. Chiropractors regularly treat them. Acupuncturists have patients with headaches. And medical doctors are overall confused when it comes to headaches. Why they occur seems to be the most common question to many doctors. Some patients’ headaches can be easily explained but many seem to get headaches for no apparent reason at all. An often-overlooked cause of headaches is the spinal cord and spinal trauma. How does this occur to the neck and cause headaches?

Delicate attachments of connective tissue link muscles in your neck areas around your spinal cord. One theory is that tensions can develop in these structures producing head pain. Another possibility to consider is that of forward head posture.

Forward head posture is present when the head is thrust forward in the classic bad posture pose (a little like a turtle neck). This can take out the natural curve in the neck. Since the head is quite heavy (10-14 lbs), the muscles have to counter this weight. When the neck muscles resist the load of the head, they can develop tensions, knots (trigger points) and sometimes spasms. Normally the head is more balanced over the shoulders.

Another neck problem that may cause headaches is a joint injury/sprain that can occur after whiplash trauma from a car accident. Over some time, this may lead to joint blockage where there is not the normal free and fluid motion from side to side. Quite often other joints must compensate for this lack of movement with hypermobility of the joints. Your muscles can become tense in these areas to protect the spine from unnatural movements overall.

If your headaches have become chronic and just never seem to go away, it is a sign that you are not getting at the cause of the problem. Since these types of disorders are so common in society they should be ruled out before leaning towards using medications over the long term. It is always important to have an accurate diagnosis before proceeding with treatment.

Correcting neck disorders when they occur is always a best bet. But when a headache seems to come out of nowhere and there is a history of neck trauma in your past, the neck can and should be a part of your headache management strategy. At the minimum the neck needs to be examined.

Chiropractic care for the neck has been shown in multiple clinical trials to help patients with both tension-type and migraine headaches. In these studies, the neck or cervical spine is adjusted based on local problems of poor posture and mobility. To find out more information, headache sufferers can contact the chiropractors at New Century Spine Centers in San Diego at 619-630-9153.

Want to find out more about headaches, then visit New Century Spine Centers site on how to choose the best chiropractor for your needs.


The Anatomy Of Chiropractic Care In The Treatment Of Whiplash In A Car Accident

July 27th, 2010

Pain in the neck, shoulders, head or the base of the skull that occurs after a motor vehicle accident is often called “whiplash.” It’s a common term that most patients hear following a car accident. Most patients with whiplash recover in a few weeks or at most, a few months. However, 15 to 20% of people develop chronic pain. Whiplash is not a trivial problem, because once it has occurred, only 70% have recovered completely by one year and only 82% have recovered completely by two years. In addition to neck pain, there are many symptoms associated with the whiplash syndrome and include sleep problems, poor concentration and memory, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, fatigue, and weakness.

The diagnosis can usually be made by injections, MRI, and X-rays. Treatment is usually successful, but may require physical therapy, injections, and occasionally surgery. The treatment for whiplash syndromes depends on the stage and degree of the problem and which structures have been injured. Treatment can vary from chiropractic care, physical therapy, orthopedic intervention and more. In addition to soft tissue injury, pain that persists after four to six months is usually due to injury to the facet joints, one or more discs, or both.

The term acceleration deceleration injury is confusing to many. This is because it is both a mechanism of injury and the symptoms caused by a car collision. It is due to a traumatic event that causes the head to move suddenly in a whipping motion in one direction and then recoil in the other direction. The most common cause of acceleration deceleration injury is a motor vehicle collision in which one vehicle is struck from behind by another. However, it can occur when a car stops abruptly after striking a pole, a wall, or another car, and can also occur after a side impact.

Significant damage to ligaments, discs, and joints can occur even if the swings of extension and flexion are not excessive, but often the cervical spine is forced to the extreme ends of normal range or beyond. Because the trauma is usually sudden, occupants of the car are not prepared for the impact. The muscles are relaxed, which allows more forces on the discs, ligaments and joints. Perhaps the most important fact about acceleration deceleration injury is that significant ache and structural damage can occur even in low velocity crashes.

It is the patient with constant pain without any other specific findings on examination or specialized tests that presents the most difficult problems for the patient himself or herself, the doctors, and the legal system in personal injury. In the first few weeks to months after motor vehicle accident, it is often impossible to determine the exact cause or causes of the pain associated with the injury. The symptoms and signs are not sufficiently specific in the case. In almost every instance, the muscles and ligaments have been strained and may be inflamed, painful, and tender. However after about three months, primary muscle or other soft tissue injuries usually have healed.

The most common causes of persistent pain in whiplash are the facet joints and the discs. There is a poor correlation between the radiographic appearance of the joints and whether they are painful. Some joints which look bad are painless while other joints that look normal can be proven to be a source of pain. Only facet injections can determine whether the joint is painful. In a research study by Drs. Bogduk and Aprill, in 23% of patients, facet joints alone were the cause of pain, in 20% of patients the discs alone were the cause of pain, and in 41% of patients both the facet joints and discs were contributing. They were not able to identify the source of the pain in only 17% of their patients.

Many whiplash patients have symptoms which seem unexplainable, such as headaches, pain in the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, or in one or both arms. These symptoms can significantly impact activities of daily living. There may be fatigue, dizziness, problems with vision, ringing in the ears, heaviness in the arms, and low back pain. There can be poor concentration or memory, change in emotions with irritability, depression or short temper, and sleep disturbance. Dizziness occurs in one-quarter to one-half of people with whiplash injury. Again, researchers are not sure of the cause. The most likely explanation is an injury to the part of the inner ear that regulates balance. Problems with memory and concentration can be due to the pain itself, depression, medications, or trauma to the brain. Visual disturbances occur in 10 to 30% of whiplash patients and blurred vision is the most common.

Fortunately, most people who suffer cervical spine ache after an acceleration deceleration injury will recover by six months. However, a small percentage of people continue to have ache. Most patients destined to recover completely will have done so by three to four months, after which the rate of recovery slows markedly. By two years, essentially all patients have reached their individual maximum improvement. About 18% continued to have significant ache two years after the collision! Patients who did not get well tended to be older, had ache which began sooner after the collision, and/or had their head rotated to either side at the time of impact. They also found that patients who, before the collision, had a history of cervical spine ache; arthritis of the cervical spine, or headaches did not do as well.

Common sense would tell us the greater the pain and impairment, the larger the legal settlement or award might be. Rarely, patients may exaggerate their symptoms or be faking. However, a bigger question is whether the potential for money from a legal settlement can unconsciously prolong or worsen the pain. This is called “secondary gain” and it is unconscious, not fraudulent. The science shows that personal injury litigation does not adversely affect outcome. In 1983, Drs. Norris and Watt reviewed 61 patients who were treated for whiplash injuries, 41 of whom had personal injury lawsuits. They found no change in symptoms after claims were settled. About ten years later, long after litigation had settled, only 12% had completely recovered, and 48% had pain which interfered with normal daily life. In another study from 1993, Drs. Parinar and Raymakers re-evaluated patients they had seen previously for legal opinions, not for treatment, 8 years after the initial consultation. They concluded that lawsuits did not influence the timing or degree of recovery.

Several years ago a group of patients were analyzed. This was a group of patients who were referred for treatment by their attorneys because they were not getting better. The patients were treated with strengthening exercises, body mechanics training, medications, spinal injections and occasionally psychotherapy. No patient needed surgery in this case. Most of the patients did well with significant improvements in pain and function. Although most patients still had mild pain at the end of treatment, it was not enough to interfere with their activities of daily living. These very favorable results occurred although none of the lawsuits had even been settled.

Looking to find the best information on whiplash, then visit www.BackCareTreatment.com to find the best advice on chiropractic care for you.


The New Claims Process For RTA

July 19th, 2010

The claims process for road traffic accidents compensation has recently changed, with low value compensation claims coming under a new process which will speed up the claims process. The new process will only apply to those cases which have an estimated compensation payout of between a thousand and ten thousand pounds and the biggest change to the process is how you register your wish to claim.

Before April, the rules stated that an insurer had 21 days to acknowledge the initial letter of claim, then a 3 month period in which to carry out investigations of their in order to come to a decision as to whether they were liable or not, which was often frustrating for the claimant.

However, since the new ruling, rather than sending a letter, potential claimants will use a secire online portal to submit an online Claims Notification Form, thus notifying the insurer of their attempt to claim. Once the insurer has been notified they then have just 15 days to respond with their liability decision, which they will also submit online.

The new Claims Notification Form contains more detail which must be filled out, than necessary in a letter of claim and so it will most likely take the claimant longer to lodge the claim whilst they gather the information. However once they do notify the insurer of the claim via the portal they will receive the decision on liability in a much more timely fashion.

Another big difference under the new process is that the claimant is the one who makes the initial offer of settlement, rather than waiting for the insurer or defendant. They do this based on the medical evidence and any financial losses they have suffered, and whilst this may seem unusual, it will almost certainly speed up the process.

The final change to the process is related to claims which would usually go to court. If the insurer has admitted liability but they and the claimant are unable to come to an amicable decision regarding the settlement figure, then rather than going to Court, they will support all relevant documentation to the court, who will then make a decision based on this information

As the process is still relatively new it is difficult to make a judgement on its success, and of course not every case will go through the entire process as if liability is not admitted or their are other issues then the usual procedure will stand.

If you think you have a compensation injury claim then it is worht seeking the advice of a specialist solicitor, as they are able to help if you have had a head or neck injury claim.


The Law On Seatbelts

July 18th, 2010

By not wearing a seatbelt you run the risk of receiving a fine of up to 500. Usually if you are spotted not wearing a seat belt you will receive a 60 on the spot fine. Penalty points are not endorsed for not wearing a seatbelt.

Since 1983 it has been a legal requirement that people wear seatbelts whilst travelling in a car, van or goods vehicle. In September 2006 a new law was introduced for child passengers and how they must be secured whilst travelling in a vehicle.

Drivers must wear a seat belt at all times in order to avoid a hefty on-the-spot fine. Obviously it is the responsibility of the driver themselves to make sure they are wearing a belt.

Children aged up to three must be placed in a suitable child car seat and this is required regardless of whether they are sitting in the front or the back of the car. The only exception to the rule is when children are travelling in a taxi. It is solely down to the driver of the car to make sure that children of this age are wearing

For children aged three and upwards with a height of up to 135cms (approx 4′5″) (or 12th birthday whichever they reach first) there are slightly different rules. If they are sitting in the front of the car the correct safety restraints must be used. When sitting in the back of the car they must adhere to the following rules; they must use an adult belt if a child restraint is not available in a taxi or if they are making a short and unexpected journey, they may also wear an adult belt if two child seats prevent a third seat from being fitted.

Youngsters who are 4′5″ tall but under the age of 14 must wear an adult belt and it is the driver who is responsible for implementing this.

All passengers over the age of 14 must wear a seat belt and it is up to the passenger themselves to arrange this, not the driver.

It is important to wear a seatbelt for safety reasons and to avoid whiplash payouts. To find a reliable compensation services it is worth contacting a good solicitor.