Truck Accidents and Whiplash in Florida
Did you or your loved one suffer a whiplash injury in a truck accident in Florida? If so, it is imperative that you get immediate medical attention and that you have the professional legal help you need for a strong, effective claim. A serious whiplash injury can be debilitating. Here, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident attorney provides a guide to whiplash injuries in Florida.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration of the neck. The force stretches and tears muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the cervical spine. Some of the most common symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, reduced range of motion, and radiating pain into the shoulders or arms. Whiplash is most often associated with rear-end collisions, but it can happen in any type of truck accident.
Legal Background: Florida is a No-Fault Truck Accident State
Your initial whiplash claim following a truck accident in West Palm Beach is through your own insurance company. In fact, that might be your sole claim. Florida’s no-fault system requires injured victims to first seek Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits through their own insurer. PIP covers a portion of medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. However, unfortunately, PIP does not compensate for pain and suffering.
A Note On Serious Whiplash Injuries: To pursue a bodily injury claim against a truck driver or carrier, the injured victim must meet Florida’s serious injury threshold. Severe cases may involve disc herniation, nerve impingement, chronic pain, or long-term mobility limitations. If you suffered a very serious whiplash injury in a truck accident, you should contact an attorney right away.
Medical Evidence is Key to a Whiplash Claim
Medical records drive the outcome of whiplash claims in Florida. Emergency evaluations, diagnostic imaging, and consistent follow-up care establish credibility. Any gaps in treatment undermine causation arguments. In order to secure the maximum possible financial support, it is crucial that you have comprehensive medical evidence. As whiplash can be challenging to demonstrate with medical records, insurance companies will try to take advantage of any ambiguities. They want to settle your claim for less. If you suffered a serious whiplash injury in a crash in Florida, our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs;
- Ambulance costs;
- Emergency medical care;
- Hospital bills;
- Physical therapy;
- Loss of current and future wages;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Disability/reduced quality of life.
Call Our West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyer for Whiplash Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident attorney has the knowledge and experience to handle whiplash injury claims. If you or your loved one suffered a bad whiplash injury, we can help. Call us now or contact us online for a free case review. With offices in West Palm Beach and Miami, we fight for truck accident victims all across South Florida, including in Palm Beach County, Martin County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County.
