Why Do You Need a Virginia Whiplash Lawyer?

Whiplash, neck, and spinal cord injuries like herniated discs can be debilitating. In order to heal as safely as possible, you need funds to afford high-quality medical care and the time necessary to rest without risking reinjury. A whiplash lawsuit can help you access that compensation.

Whiplash is a type of neck injury that is caused by a sudden, jerking movement of the head. This jolting movement can cause the muscles and ligaments in the neck to stretch and tear, resulting in whiplash. A whiplash injury can also cause the more persistent harm of a herniated disc, which is when the cushions (discs) between the bones of your spine (vertebrae) bulge, slip, or rupture, causing pain and disability.

When a whiplash or herniated disc injury is caused by the negligence of another, you have the right to hold them responsible for the cost of your injuries and losses. This could allow you the time needed to heal before your whiplash injury develops into a long-term or permanent condition. It also helps incentivize better safety behavior from the person or entity that injured you in the first place by holding them accountable.

At the Smith Law Center, our practice has unique experience litigating traumatic brain and spinal cord injury cases thanks to founder Stephen M. Smith’s background in neuroanatomical science. Our attorneys know the true cost of injury — not just in bills and lost wages, but in the pain, stress, and time spent dealing with this interruption to your life.

Contact our experienced Virginia whiplash lawyers online, or by calling our Hampton, VA offices at (757) 244-7000. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options going forward.

What Kind of Settlement Can a Virginia Whiplash Attorney Help You Secure?

Here are various types of settlements a Virginia whiplash attorney can help you pursue:

• Personal injury claim: A personal injury claim settlement is an agreement between the injured party and the party responsible for the accident to exchange money to avoid a lengthy trial. A whiplash attorney can help negotiate a fair whiplash claim settlement amount based on the severity of the injury, the medical bills, and other damages like your pain and suffering.
• Insurance payout: Insurance companies involved in certain accidents may offer a settlement to cover the cost of the injury. A whiplash attorney can review the terms of the settlement offer and negotiate a higher amount if the offer is too low.
• Workers’ compensation: If the whiplash injury occurred in the workplace, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. A whiplash attorney can help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and negotiate a settlement that covers medical bills and lost wages.These settlement types are not mutually exclusive, and your case may involve multiple compensation sources depending on the circumstances. Most whiplash injury cases are able to settle before going to trial. For you that could mean a swifter resolution that in no way diminishes the amount you’re entitled to for the full cost of your injury.
• However, if the other side refuses to agree to a fair settlement, the next option is to go to trial before a judge. While this may take longer, judges and juries are able to award far higher amounts of compensation, including punitive damages — fees charged to the other side for any particularly reckless or intentional bad behavior that are then granted to you on top of what you already deserve. Punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future, while also benefitting you personally.