Posted on 06/09/25
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end car accidents. Whiplash causes the head to move in a sudden, back-and-forth motion, injuring the neck. Taking these steps can help ensure a successful Buffalo car accident claim if you suffer whiplash injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
While symptoms of whiplash may appear immediately after a car accident, it can take up to a few days for you to experience the symptoms of whiplash. Getting immediate medical care documents when you begin experiencing symptoms and the cause of the injury.
A physician diagnoses whiplash by excluding more severe conditions. Immediate medical treatment may also prevent damage if a more severe condition is the cause of your symptoms. The medical treatment you receive will affect your accident claim.
Document Your Damages From a Whiplash Injury
Successfully documenting whiplash requires you to produce evidence of injury and damages. Medical records, service billing, and pay stubs showing time off from work to recover from whiplash can support your claim. Pictures of the accident scene, visible injuries, videos, and a police report provide additional documentation.
Follow A Physician’s Care Plan to Treat Whiplash
Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy, neck support, medication, or other pain management tools to help you recover from whiplash. Completing a doctor’s care plan and following their recommended treatment guidelines demonstrates your commitment to recovery. A doctor may also strive to rule out other injuries or conditions that cause severe neck pain by performing imaging tests such as:
- CT scans
- X-rays
- MRIs
Follow through with the tests a doctor orders. A successful whiplash claim will compensate you for the costs. Failing to take these steps to mitigate further damage may lead to a denial of your injury claim.
File a Timely Claim
You will want to notify your insurance company of an accident and injuries immediately. Failing to file a prompt claim can delay receiving compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. We recommend contacting your insurance carrier within 24 to 48 hours of an accident causing whiplash. Even if you do not experience immediate symptoms, notify the insurance provider of the incident.
Document The Severity of Your Symptoms From Whiplash
You may be able to file a lawsuit if whiplash causes you serious injury, meeting New York’s serious injury threshold for personal injury cases. A grading system for pain can determine the severity of whiplash. Documenting the severity of your symptoms through medical treatment, keeping a written account of symptoms, or eyewitness statements can strengthen a claim and support legal action.
Additionally, medical records, work documentation, and invoices for medical services you begin collecting when an injury occurs can demonstrate the severity of the symptoms from whiplash. Unfortunately, healing from whiplash depends on personal circumstances, treatment, and the severity of your injuries. In severe cases, whiplash can lead to chronic pain and spinal injuries. Some injuries can create permanent disabilities.
Discuss a Whiplash Claim with a Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyer
Making a successful whiplash claim may require the guidance of a Buffalo personal injury lawyer. Schedule a free consultation if you receive a denial of a whiplash claim or you feel your injuries from whiplash meet the serious injury threshold. Exploring your options in making a successful whiplash claim may allow you to receive the help you need to recover from whiplash.