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Washington Neck Injury Attorneys

neck injury attorney in Washington stateMany of our clients suffer from neck injuries after a collision. One common neck injury is caused by the sudden force of a car accident. The symptoms of neck injury can include restricted range of movement, chronic pain, and disc herniation. Other types of neck injuries include neck sprain, neck strain, and neck fracture

For all neck injuries, the symptoms can be incredibly debilitating and can continue for months after a collision. This is why it is important to hire one of our experienced Washington Neck Injury lawyers to fight alongside and gain justice for you.

Types of Neck Injuries 

Neck injuries in personal injury claims can be divided into several categories, which are discussed below. 

Whiplash

Whiplash occurs when your head is forcefully thrown back and forth and extends beyond its normal range of motion. Some victims may not realize they have whiplash for a day or two after an accident because symptoms can take upwards of 24 hours to develop. Symptoms of whiplash include: 

  • Pain and stiffness;
  • Headaches, which typically start at the base of the skull;
  • Worsening pain when moving your neck;
  • Dizziness;
  • Pain or tenderness in the shoulder, upper back, or arms;
  • Fatigue; and
  • Tingling or numbness in your arms.

Some people who experience whiplash also report symptoms that include:

  • Blurred vision, 
  • Memory issues,
  • Concentration problems,
  • Tinnitus, 
  • Trouble sleeping,
  • Depression, and
  • Irritability.

Unfortunately, insurance companies and defense attorneys do not believe whiplash cases are worth much. Because soft tissue injuries often don’t show up on x-rays, defendants will argue your whiplash injuries are not severe. Even if you have medical reports documenting your symptoms and have undergone months of physical therapy, the insurance company will likely argue you deserve less compensation than you are asking for. That’s why it’s crucial to hire skilled Seattle whiplash attorneys who know how to fight back against insurance companies.

Neck Sprain and Strains

A neck strain occurs when a tendon stretches too far and tears. Similarly, a neck sprain occurs when ligaments in the neck are stretched too far. Neck strains and sprains are very painful because you feel their effects every time you try to turn, move, or rotate your head. Pain and stiffness may resolve over time for some victims. Other people require physical therapy to regain their full range of motion. 

Herniated Cervical Disc 

When the soft interior portion of your neck’s spinal disc pushes through to the harder exterior, it can pinch spinal column nerves. That can lead to radiating pain and numbness and cause weakness in the arms and shoulders. 

Neck Fractures 

Neck fractures can cause mobility issues with your arms and legs. A doctor must diagnose a neck fracture using diagnostic tests such as x-rays. It is a very serious condition that could result in paralysis or even death in some instances. The recovery period for a fractured neck is typically much longer than other types of neck injuries. 

Causes of Neck Injuries 

One of the most common causes of neck injuries is car accidents. The severity of a neck injury will vary depending on the circumstances of each collision. Whiplash injuries are mostly caused by rear-end car accidents. However, physical abuse, slips and falls, sports activities, and assault can also cause whiplash or other types of neck injuries.  

Determining Whether You Have a Neck Injury Claim 

Before you can receive compensation for a neck injury, you must prove another party is responsible for your injury. In negligence cases, you must prove all four elements of negligence to get damages. These four elements are:

  • Duty—you must show the defendant owed you a legal duty;
  • Breach of duty—the defendant must have breached this legal duty;
  • Causation—the breach of duty is what led to your injuries; and
  • Damages—you must have suffered financial losses, such as medical expenses. 

Washington is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you can collect compensation even if you are partially at fault for the accident that led to your neck injury. However, your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation amount. For example, if you are 30% at fault, you will receive 70% of your damages. 

How a Seattle Whiplash Lawyer Can Assist You

Hiring a Seattle whiplash lawyer can help you protect your rights after suffering a neck injury. Because insurance companies typically undervalue neck injury claims, you need a legal advocate who can help you build a solid case. We can conduct a thorough independent investigation of your accident and preserve all evidence that supports your claim for damages. 

You don’t need to worry about speaking with the defendant’s insurance company or a defense lawyer when you have legal representation. We can handle all communication with the other parties, including handling settlement negotiations. 

Should the defendant be unwilling to engage in meaningful settlement negotiations, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf. Our skilled legal team will not let the defendant’s insurance company take advantage of you. We are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. 

Failing to hire a lawyer can put your potential settlement at risk. Insurance companies know you don’t have any legal background. You might not know who all the potentially liable parties are or how to collect and preserve evidence. There’s also a risk of missing important legal deadlines, including the statute of limitations. In most cases, you only have three years from the injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington. If you miss the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case. However, that filing deadline is not absolute, which is why you need knowledgeable Washington neck injury lawyers on your side to help you manage all aspects of your claim. 

What does a successful neck-injury claim look like?

When a client is suffering from a neck injury caused by an accident, our Washington neck injury lawyers take special steps to identify the extent of the injury, to evaluate its cause, and to determine how the injury affects our client’s life, now and in the future. Since neck injuries often require long-term, costly medical care, we ensure that this cost is fully factored into the insurance-claim process. A successful claim is one in which our client receives a settlement or verdict that enables them to fully recover financially, and compensates them for their current and future losses.

Helping clients heal is our job, and we are very, very good at our job.

As injury attorneys, we have achieved exceptional results for our clients dealing with neck injuries, including:

Call our Offices to Talk to a Neck Injury Attorney in Washington Today!

Reach out today for your free consultation at either our Seattle office or any one of our locations in Washington State.