Over 3 million Americans suffer whiplash injuries every year. Some recover without treatment, but around 50% of whiplash injuries are still present a year after the injury.

Whiplash happens from a sudden jerk of the head that bends the neck beyond the normal range of motion. It usually occurs during an auto accident and can cause debilitating, lasting pain. However, because the effects of whiplash are often hard to prove, people are skeptical about these injuries.

If you want to recover from whiplash, you have to act fast after an injury. Delaying care could be the difference between swift recovery and long-term, chronic pain. 

Read on to learn exactly what to do to recover from whiplash after a car accident. 

1. Get a Lawyer 

As soon as everyone is safe, it’s time to call a lawyer. Even if your accident doesn’t seem too serious, a lawyer can give you the exact advice you need as the situation changes. 

There are some essential steps to take if you get into an accident, so make sure you save down our 24/7 lawyer hotline number, (800) 474-1233. Put it on your phone now, you never know when you might need it!

Lawyers will help you throughout the process of recovering from whiplash. It’s crucial to get in touch quickly so they can ensure you handle the situation in the right way from the start. 

2. Talk to the Police 

Even if the accident was minor, you should always file a police report. This can be one of the best pieces of evidence of your injuries. Once you’ve called your lawyer, they’ll brief you about the next steps, but there are a few key elements that you must ensure are included in the police report:

  • Date and time of the incident 
  • Location 
  • Description of crime scene 
  • Driver statements
  • Witness statements 
  • Collection of surveillance footage 

Before the police arrive, you can help by taking photos and making sure you’ve got your story is straight. At Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers, we help you collate evidence after an auto accident that will help you heal from whiplash injuries. 

3. See a Doctor 

You should see a doctor as soon as possible after your injury. A medical report can be used as a legal document for any further compensation or legal proceedings. 

The doctor will ask questions about your whiplash symptoms and severity, and examine your range of movement. Imaging tests can’t identify whiplash, but they may order these tests to rule out other injuries.

The diagnosis of whiplash is primarily based on symptoms – this is why it’s essential to see a doctor. Otherwise, it’s your word against everyone else’s. 

4. Start Treatment 

You can start treatment for whiplash immediately as the options are relatively simple. If your pain is manageable, you can buy over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol or Aspirin. However, if your pain is severe, you can talk to your doctor about prescription-strength painkillers and muscle relaxants. 

At home, you can apply hot and cold compresses, focus on resting and practicing good posture to aid your recovery. 

The most common ongoing treatment to help you heal from whiplash is physical therapy. A physical therapist can help you with exercises to regain strength and flexibility in your neck. 

Some people opt for alternative, complementary therapies. Chiropractic care can help with manipulating the bone structure and muscle relaxation. However, your injury is delicate during this time, and it is vital that you only visit a qualified, registered chiropractor. 

Acupuncture can provide some relief from neck pain by inserting tiny needles into specific areas of the neck. However, the evidence for acupuncture is conflicting. Other therapists, such as mind-body practitioners, work by supporting you with gentle movement and relaxation exercises. 

No matter what treatment you decide to try, the most important thing is to make sure the practitioner is reputable, qualified and the treatment isn’t going to put you at risk of further injuries. Finally, always make sure you get receipts! 

5. Seek Compensation 

Once you’ve got the immediate logistical and medical issues covered, it’s time to start thinking about claiming compensation. 

This is where you’ll understand why each of the previous steps was so important. Whiplash is one of the easiest injuries to fake, so people do. Without collecting crime scene evidence, a doctor’s diagnosis, police reports, and the support of a lawyer, your claim will be an uphill struggle. 

Without sufficient evidence, your claim will be refused. But if you provide the proper evidence, you could get up to $100,000 (depending on your injury severity). Most claims are between $2000-$4000. 

Your lawyer will help you with the process from start to finish, they’ll present all the best evidence to help you get the highest payout. But you must document every symptom, every financial loss, and every cost expenditure throughout the process. 

The sum of your losses, expenditures, and impact on life quality will all be taken into account when your payout is made. 

The claims process can be stressful and challenging to navigate if you don’t know the system. At Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers, we know what to expect, and we’ll take the stress off your hands. 

Recover From Whiplash With Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers 

If you want to recover from whiplash the right way, now you know what to do. Collect your evidence, speak to the police, see a doctor, get some painkillers, and most importantly – call your lawyer!

Don’t risk years of chronic pain by not dealing with your injuries straight away. 

Time is of the essence, so why not contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote?