HOW SHOULD I HANDLE WHIPLASH FROM A CAR ACCIDENT IN INDIANAPOLIS?

Indianapolis is the most populous city in the state of Indiana. The city is home to more than 860,000 residents. With so many residents and visitors, it is no wonder that Indianapolis sits in the county with more annual car accidents than any other region in the state. 

So if you or a loved one have been harmed in a car crash in Indianapolis, you are not alone. Whether your accident occurred while you were driving on I-65, metro loop 465, or another major roadway, it is important to take the proper steps after a collision. 

This requirement is especially important if your Indianapolis traffic accident resulted in an injury. Neck and back damage, such as whiplash, are incredibly common in traffic accident cases.  

If you have suffered whiplash from a car accident in Indianapolis, reach out to a legal professional as soon as possible. Speaking with an accomplished litigant can ensure that you recover the compensation you are owed.  

For premier legal representation in Indianapolis, consult with the team at America’s largest tort law firm—Morgan & Morgan. Our accomplished litigants know what is necessary to fight effectively for Indianapolis injury victims. 

Following your accident or injury, complete the simple contact form on our firm’s website to schedule a free consultation. During this initial meeting, you will face no pressure to hire our firm. The team at Morgan & Morgan is on your side.

Understanding Whiplash From a Car Accident in Indianapolis

Whiplash is a type of injury that affects the victim’s neck. Typically, whiplash is caused by the neck whipping back and forth rapidly. 

This whipping often happens as the result of a high-impact accident, such as a motor vehicle collision. The term “whiplash” refers to the fact that the neck movement during the collision resembles a whip cracking.  

Rear-end traffic collisions are some of the most common circumstances in which this type of injury occurs. However, you can also sustain a whiplash injury from: 

• Sporting accidents
• Assault or physical abuse
• Trip and fall accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Other incidents 

The symptoms of a whiplash injury can vary widely. While many who suffer from whiplash recover with proper care, others have ongoing symptoms and difficulties. 

These ongoing conditions are why you should speak with a lawyer if you have experienced whiplash from a car accident in Indianapolis. You should also seek a medical assessment as soon as possible following the inciting incident. 

Typically, the symptoms of a whiplash injury will appear within a few days of the car accident. The most common symptoms include: 

• Stiffness in the neck
• Pain when moving the neck
• An inability to move the neck muscles
• Persistent and severe headaches
• Pain and tenderness in the upper back, arms, and shoulders
• Loss of feeling in the arms and extremities
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Dizziness and loss of balance
• Tinnitus (ringing ears)
• Shifts in mood or irritability
• An inability to concentrate
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty sleeping
• Memory issues
• Anxiety and depression

If you have experienced any of these symptoms following an accident, reach out to a medical care professional immediately. A trained physician will diagnose your condition accurately. In doing so, they will rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.  

In 2019, there were nearly 38,000 car accidents in Marion County, IN. Over 5,800 of these resulted in non-fatal injuries.  

As you can see, the probability of whiplash from a car accident in Indianapolis is high. If you or someone you love has been injured in this way, it is vital to schedule a consultation with a trusted legal firm. 

Fortunately, the legal team at Morgan & Morgan has decades of experience representing the victims of car accidents. When another party’s reckless or careless driving caused you harm, you may be owed significant financial compensation.

Comparative Negligence in Indiana

Following a motor vehicle collision in Indiana, the victim has the legal right to hold the at-fault motorist accountable for the resulting damage. This right is especially important when the collision resulted in significant property damage or injuries.  

The state of Indiana operates on a “comparative fault” rule when it comes to traffic collisions. In other words, anyone who contributed to the accident can be held financially accountable.  

This rule means that even if you were not primarily at fault for the collision, you may be held responsible for your share of the blame. Consider the following example: 

Suppose that a car in front of you slams on its breaks, you are unable to stop in time, and your vehicles collide. As the result of an investigation, the other motorist is found to be 90 percent responsible for the crash. 

Now imagine that you were found to be 10 percent responsible because you were driving a few miles per hour above the speed limit. Then suppose that the costs and damages that you sustained are estimated at $10,000.  

In this case, the portion of the damage that you are responsible for (10%) would be subtracted from the total. You would only be able to recover $9,000 in this case. 

This comparative negligence approach is only relevant if your case comes before a jury or judge. However, most motor vehicle accident claims are settled before they reach the courtroom.

How Will a Morgan & Morgan Car Accident Attorney Help You?

Even when you have experienced whiplash in a traffic accident, you may not know why you need legal representation. Many victims mistakenly believe that they can trust insurance providers to offer them a fair settlement for their losses. 

On the contrary, insurance companies protect their profits and bottom lines by denying or undervaluing accident and injury claims. Having an accomplished legal professional on your side will ensure that you do not accept an inadequate settlement amount for your Indianapolis car accident claim. 

The process of filing a legal claim against a negligent motorist or their insurance provider is complex. When you hire the knowledgeable team at Morgan & Morgan, we will handle the following elements of your Indianapolis whiplash injury case: 

• Completing required legal forms and documents
• Filing all necessary paperwork
• Determining relevant statutes and laws in your case
• Speaking with expert witnesses if needed
• Collecting relevant evidence to bolster your claim
• Ensuring that your claim is made within the statute of limitations
• Speaking with eyewitnesses to the collision
• Securing medical records and police accident reports. 
• All other avenues of investigation required to get you fair compensation 

One of the most important skills that personal injury lawyers have is negotiation. Insurance adjusters are trained to negotiate with claimants in ways that devalue their cases. Do not let this happen to you. 

When you contact the skilled legal professionals at Morgan & Morgan, we will accurately calculate the value of your Indianapolis whiplash claim. This calculation will guarantee that you do not accept a lowball settlement amount. 

You should not be responsible for the financial and personal damages that result from an injury that another person caused. Contact Morgan & Morgan to pursue justice in your case.