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Car Accident and Whiplash Injuries

If you have been involved in a car accident, whiplash injuries need to be taken very seriously. Because symptoms of a whiplash injury can take weeks or months to manifest, it is easy to be fooled into thinking that you are not as injured as you really are.

Too often people don't seek treatment following a car accident because they don't feel hurt. By far, the most common injury to the neck is a whiplash injury.Whiplash is caused by a sudden movement of the head, either backward, forward, or sideways, that results in the damage to the supporting muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues in the neck and upper back.

Unfortunately, by the time more serious complications develop, some of the damage from the injury may have become permanent.Numerous studies have shown that years after whiplash victims settle their insurance claims, roughly half of them state that they still suffer with symptoms from their injuries. If you have been in a motor vehicle or any other kind of accident, don't assume that you escaped injury if you are not currently in pain. Contact us today!

Ten Things to Know If You are Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident

1. Gather Information. Information is critical to protecting your legal interests and for preserving any claims you may have arising out of the accident. Make certain you write down vehicle license plates, names of the parties involved, driver's license numbers, insurance policy information, and witness names. It is also helpful to take pictures of the scene, the damage to the cars, and of any visible injuries. Immediately writing down your recollection of the accident is helpful since memories fade. Write down your recollection of how the accident occurred and who said what. This will help refresh your recollection later.

2. Call the Police. If anybody is injured or if there is a dispute regarding fault then call the police immediately. Call the police even if there is room for ambiguity regarding fault, even if there does not appear to be an immediate dispute over liability. It is not uncommon for an at-fault driver to admit liability at the scene only to deny it later.

3. Report to the DMV. Within 72 hours, you are required to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles if an injury resulted from the accident or if the property damage from the accident exceeds $1,200.00.

4. Do Not Sign Anything or Give a Taped Statement. You are required to cooperate with your own insurance company, so it is acceptable to sign documents when requested and to give statements when required. However, you have no obligation to cooperate with the insurance company for the other driver. They will often ask you to sign documents and provide taped statements. Do not sign anything or give any taped statements. They only want this information so they can use it against you.

5. You are Covered. By law, every automobile insurance policy in Oregon is required to provide Personal Injury Protection ("PIP") coverage. This means that you are entitled to immediate benefits, including payment of medical bills and lost wages, regardless of the circumstance or fault for the accident.

6. Get Help. If you are injured, visit a medical or health professional as soon as possible following the accident. Be sure to report all injuries, no matter how small. Since PIP provides immediate medical coverage for your injury, there is no excuse for not seeking help for your accident related injuries.

7. Do Not Settle Early. Do not settle your claim until you are fully recovered, medically stationary, or 100% certain you have no injury. 8. Statute of Limitations. Oregon has a two year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means that you have two years from the date of the accident to settle your claim or file a lawsuit.

8. Statute of Limitations. Oregon has a two year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means that you have two years from the date of the accident to settle your claim or file a lawsuit.

9. Right to Repair. You have the right to have your car repaired at any shop of your choosing.

10. Uninsured Motorist. You can still recover for your injuries even if you are hit by an uninsured or under-insured motorist.