Whiplash is a painful injury that can have long-lasting impacts on your life. If you were hurt due to someone else’s negligence, our Tacoma whiplash lawyers can pursue fair compensation for you.
Since 2013, the Tacoma personal injury lawyers at Puget Law Group have fought to hold negligent parties financially accountable. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What is Whiplash and Why Do Accidents Cause It?
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement of the head that can damage muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues in the neck. It’s an all-too-common injury after car accidents.
Whiplash can feel immediately painful or develop over time. Common indicators of whiplash include:
- Soreness and pain in the neck or shoulder areas.
- Dizziness.
- Headaches.
- Vision changes.
- Trouble focusing.
- Trouble sleeping.
Unfortunately, the effects of whiplash can remain for months or even years in some cases.
For a free legal consultation with a whiplash lawyer serving Tacoma, call (253) 627-4696
How Can a Whiplash Attorney in Tacoma Help With Your Case?
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and suffered whiplash as a result, you’re likely facing medical bills and a lengthy recovery process. Our legal team can guide you through every stage of the personal injury claims process.
Recovering fair compensation often involves proving that someone else’s negligence led to your injuries. You will also have to navigate offers from insurance companies who don’t always have your best interests in mind.
We can help by:
- Investigating the accident to determine all liable parties.
- Gathering evidence that strengthens your claim.
- Handling all communications with insurance companies.
- Filing all necessary paperwork.
- Negotiating on your behalf.
- Advising you on any settlement offers you receive.
- Representing your case in court if necessary.
Depending on the type of accident, our Tacoma car accident lawyers and Tacoma truck accident lawyers can help build a strong case for compensation.
Affording a Personal Injury Attorney From Puget Law Group
Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront fees for our legal services. You’ll only pay our fees when we recover compensation for you.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Whiplash Injury in Tacoma?
Whiplash can have far-reaching effects on your life. You may need surgery if the injury caused structural damage to a vertebra or need months of physical therapy to alleviate pain. Understanding the full scope of your losses is vital to recovering fair compensation.
Your lawyer will listen to your story to understand any limitations the injury has caused. In addition, your lawyer may consult with medical experts to understand what losses your injury could cause in the future.
Recoverable losses may include:
Economic Losses
These are the financial costs of your injuries, such as a receipt for a neck brace or a medical bill for X-rays. They include:
- Medical expenses like surgeries, doctor appointments, medication, and more.
- Job impacts like lost wages, lost benefits, and reduced earning capacity.
- Property damage if a vehicle was damaged in the accident.
- Transportation costs for attending medical appointments.
- Home or vehicle modifications.
- Mobility aids.
- Housekeeping or other home services while you recover.
Non-Economic Losses
These are the impacts of your injury that can’t always be connected to an expense. They can include:
- Pain and suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment.
- Reduced quality of life.
- Permanent disability.
- Emotional distress.
Your legal team will advocate for the maximum compensation allowable for your case.
Tacoma Whiplash Lawyer Near Me (253) 627-4696
What Is the Deadline for Recovering Compensation After a Whiplash Injury in Tacoma?
In Washington state, the general statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is three years. However, there can be exceptions to this timeframe, so always check with your lawyer.
In addition to timely filing of your case, early action can also help ensure that evidence is preserved.
How Is Negligence Proven After Whiplash Injuries?
To prove negligence, your Tacoma whiplash attorney will need to show that four key elements have been met. These elements are:
- Duty of care. The at-fault party had a responsibility to act safely.
- Breach of duty of care. They instead were careless or reckless.
- Causation. Their actions directly resulted in an injury.
- Damages. You have losses because of that injury.
These elements are typically proven during an investigation. We will use evidence to do so. Helpful evidence can include:
- Expert testimony, such as from an accident reconstructionist.
- Video footage of the incident.
- Witness statements.
- Police reports.
- Physical evidence.
- Phone records, GPS data, black box data, Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) test results, or other data that can prove negligence occurred.
With evidence, a strong case for compensation can be built.
What Should You Do After a Whiplash Injury in Tacoma?
Whiplash is a serious injury because it is not always immediately apparent, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. If you have been in an accident, you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis.
In addition to seeing a doctor, you should take these actions when possible:
- Report the accident to the police.
- Take photos of the accident scene and any visible injuries you have, such as cuts or bruises.
- Gather contact information.
- Contact a personal injury attorney.
- Avoid giving recorded statements until you’ve spoken to a lawyer.
- Never delay or stop medical treatment.
Contact a Whiplash Lawyer in Tacoma Today
If you or a loved one suffered a whiplash injury due to someone else’s careless actions, our legal team is here to help. Our goal is fair compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses.
At Puget Law Group, we offer compassionate and dedicated legal services. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Click to contact our Tacoma Personal Injury Lawyers today (253) 627-4696