Grandpa Terry Rigg and his sensational BUDGET
STRETCHER have always gone out of their way when it comes to up-to-date
information regarding motor vehicle accidents to his readers. And so, I'm doing
everything possible to assist this spectacular company by bringing to its
readers the following:
In late 2004 it was discovered that the delay in the onset of
WHIPLASH-TYPE injuries was discovered to be the “Norm” rather than
the “Exception” .
It was found that 10% of the victims of “ Whiplash” became totally
disabled so it simply followed that the “Pain and Suffering” they
endured could become monumental !
Several million Americans suffered a “Whiplash-Type” of injury
because of a motor vehicle accident in that 2004.
CAN A SOFT TISSUE INJURY LIKE WHIPLASH HEAL ITSELF? The answer to that
one is not a simple “Yes” or “No” because, while it can heal itself - - it
can do so imperfectly !
In one study, it was determined that patients who had suffered a
“Whiplash-Type” of injury that over 50% of them developed Osteoarithritis in the
ensuing years. In another study patients were interviewed more than two years
following the settlement of their cases and, without proper care, almost 50%
continued to complain of ongoing pain (in the area of their neck and/or
shoulders) which were determined to be directly related to their
accident.
“SO - - WHAT TO DO“? The answer to that is very simple, “You must
complain and complain to whomever is treating you”.
Don’t allow yourself to be told something like, “Yeah, I’m sorry, I know it
hurts but just wait awhile. It’ll go away”. That’s a hogwash of an answer
!
A “Whiplash” hurls your head violently backward and forward, injuring your
neck. Whiplash can cause injury to intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments,
cervical muscles and nerves. It is usually encountered with concussions and more
serious injury. The effects of whiplash can be short term or life
long - - it can leave your neck forever vulnerable
to injury.
TIME NEEDED TO RECOVER: 45% of the victims remained symptomatic for 3
months and 25% remained in that same state for 6 months! The most
minor cases needed a minimum of 8 weeks to recover
while some took as long as 17 weeks.
AND SO, THE OFTEN DECLARED NOTION, BY INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTERS, THAT,
“WHIPLASH INJURIES HEAL IN 6 TO 8 WEEKS”, is absolutely not
true !
AS OF LATE 2004 THE FOLLOWING ARE THREE SOLID AND
PROVABLE “CRASH FACTS”
#1. Many injuries occur at speeds below 12 MPH. #2.
Rear end impacts of 6 MPH to 10 MPH can positively cause a
“Whiplash-Type” injury. #3. Post Injury crash facts have proved
that, between 1 and 2 years after impact, 22% of many patients
have not returned back to “Normal” - - plus their
“Pain & Suffering” had continued on and on!
5 OF THE MOST COMMON UNTRUTHS (APPLIED TO “WHIPLASH”)
ARE
#1. Low speed impact crashes don’t cause injuries. #2. Injuries
generally heal in 6 to 12 weeks. #3. A patients pre-injury psychological
makeup affects recovery. #4. The greater the vehicle damage the greater
the occupant injury. #5. An “Accident Re-Constructionist” can predict
injury potential.
All five of the above “Conclusions” have been proved to be
totally incorrect !
Copyright (c) 2005 By Daniel G. Baldyga. All Rights
Reserved
DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this article “THE WHIPLASH
INJURY AS OF EARLY 2005” is to help people understand the
motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Grandpa Dan
Baldyga, Grandpa Terry Rigg nor BUDGET
STRETCHER make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever, NOR do
they purport to engage in rendering any legal service, NOR to substitute
for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where
such professional help is desired it is THE INDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY
to obtain said services.
Dan Badyga’s third and latest book, AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY
INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found on the
internet at
