Whiplash and Neck Injury Lawyer
A Northern New Jersey attorney who goes the distance
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries experienced in car accidents. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Insurance companies often minimize whiplash, but anyone who has suffered from it can tell you it is a very painful and debilitating injury. That’s why you need an experienced lawyer on your side.
New Jersey whiplash attorney David Leigh of The Leigh Law Firm, P.C. fights for the injured in Milburn and throughout Essex and Union counties. He knows that dealing with insurance companies can be a confusing and frustrating process. He builds strong cases that force them to take your claim seriously.
Whiplash is an often underrated car accident injury
What is whiplash? During a collision, your head can be thrown forward and backward at great force – much like the cracking of a whip. But this motion causes the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your neck to stretch farther than they normally do, resulting in injury.
The symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and stiffness, upper back pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, and a limited range of motion in the neck. Symptoms may be delayed and you may not even be aware you are injured at first. That’s why it’s important to always get medical attention if you’ve been involved in an accident.
A doctor can examine you and order diagnostic tests, which could include X-rays, and MRI, or a CT scan. You could have another type of neck injury, such as a herniated disc, neck sprain or strain, a pinched nerve, or fractured vertebrae. Treatment could involve medication, physical therapy, and rest.
Depending on the type and severity of your injury, it could take weeks, months, or even longer to completely heal. In the meantime, you may have to miss time from work. This results in a loss of income, just as the medical bills start to come in. This often leads to financial stress as you wonder how you’ll be able to pay your bills.
Getting full compensation for whiplash is difficult
If a negligent driver caused the accident that left you hurt, you shouldn’t have to pay. But even if the driver was speeding, texting, driving recklessly, or was impaired, holding that negligent driver accountable can be complicated. The driver may deny doing anything wrong, putting you in the position of having to prove negligence.
Don’t expect much help from the insurance company. They don’t take whiplash claims seriously and may challenge the seriousness of your injury. Another tactic they sometimes use to try to limit compensation is seeking access to your medical history to look for evidence of a previous neck injury.
Or the insurance company will offer you a settlement. It can be tempting to accept their offer as your bills start to pile up, and they may promise quick payment. But the catch is that the amount they are offering will fall far short of covering all the damages you suffered. It’s just another way for them to save money.
Can you ask for more money after an accident? Yes, you can. But remember that insurance companies have the advantage. They deal with claims all the time and their adjusters and attorneys know how to find ways to justify paying you less.
Get the right car accident lawyer to fight for your whiplash claim
That’s why you need an experienced car accident lawyer to fight for you. Attorney Leigh used to represent the insurance companies. He knows how they approach claims involving whiplash and what it takes to build a strong case that gets their attention.
Our firm can investigate your accident to get the facts. We gather evidence, carefully review accident reports and medical records, and interview witnesses. As needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists who can help us understand how the crash happened.
Attorney Leigh puts in the hard work and hustle needed to move your case forward. He pushes back against the insurance company’s attempts to pay you less and negotiates a settlement that meets your needs. And if the insurance company won’t settle, he’ll be ready to fight for you in court.
Learn more during a free consultation
Don’t delay. New Jersey law allows two years from the date of your accident to take legal action. That may sound like plenty of time, but evidence can get lost and witnesses can forget important details. The sooner we can get started on your claim, the better.
If you suffered a whiplash injury in Northern New Jersey, learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with attorney Leigh. Get answers to your questions and learn what your options are for recovering compensation.