After a traumatic car accident, it’s common to experience serious whiplash and chronic neck pain. In an accident, the force is usually too much for your body to handle, and whiplash is one of the consequences. So how can you tell if you have whiplash? After an accident occurs, the first step is to see a medical professional. Your doctor will be able to conduct tests immediately so that you can begin treatment as soon as possible. Here are a few of the tests that are used to diagnose whiplash among patients:
X-Ray Imaging
After an injury occurs, x-rays are taken to detect if the spine is stable—or if any fractures have occurred. These images make it easier for the doctor to look at the bone anatomy and are usually conducted if a patient is not improving over a 12-week period.
Discography
An injection called discography is used to see if a disc is the cause of neck pain. This treatment is used when a patient is in severe pain and is not improving. Surgery is usually considered an option in this situation.
Computed Tomography (CT scan)
A CT scan is used to help identify neck pain that is not getting better, despite treatment efforts.
These are three different methods used to diagnose whiplash, but no matter the method, whiplash needs to be detected before the pain worsens. It’s essential that you make a visit to your doctor or medical professional after a serious car accident so that you can find a treatment option as soon as possible.
What to Expect in Terms of Compensation
As far as compensation is concerned, drivers, insurers, and Toronto personal injury lawyers with experience in motor vehicle collision law focus much of their efforts on the accident benefits in Ontario. It is important to emphasize the word “effort” here; accident benefits in Ontario are multifaceted and complex, requiring knowledgeable and experienced lawyers in order to parse the specifics of any case. There are many different types of benefits, and any single accident might utilize a different combination of them. Rather than approaching your lawyer with a dearth of information, read on to learn about the accident benefits in Ontario.
Income Replacement Benefit
When considering the impact of a serious car accident, many people think about the direct damage: things like damaged vehicles, damaged property, or personal injuries. However, one of the most important benefits after a car accident is the income replacement benefit. If a victim suffers a serious car accident injury, they will likely not be able to continue working for a significant amount of time. This means losing wages, which can end up being even worse than the direct damages mentioned above. The income replacement benefit supplies as much as 70 percent of an injured party’s total income, with the maximum capped at $400 per week.
Non-Earner Benefit
As you may have guessed, the non-earner benefit is essentially the inverse of the income replacement benefit. The non-earner benefit is payable to anyone who has a complete inability to carry on their normal life and:
- Does not qualify for the income replacement benefit; or
- Was enrolled in an elementary, secondary, or post-secondary program at the time of the accident.
The non-earner benefit pays $185 per week and, in the case of children, is only payable once the injured party reaches 16 years old.
Caregiver Benefit
All insurance policies in Ontario set aside a benefit package for people who can no longer carry out their duties as caregivers because of their injuries. The caregiver benefit only applies to those who were living with and acting as the primary caregiver for the person to whom they were providing care. Typically, caregivers include those caring for young children, elderly parents, or family members with disabilities or illnesses. Professional caregivers are not eligible for this benefit.
Medical Benefits
Though Ontarians are fortunate to receive a large swath of their healthcare coverage from the government, there are certain areas that OHIP does not cover, like dental care, some surgeries, optometry, ambulances, etc. Since many of these service may be required after an automobile accident, the medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits are designed to prevent you from paying out of pocket. Insurance will only cover the amounts established under the Professional Services Guidelines, published by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.
To learn more about car accident benefits in Ontario, Sokoloff Lawyers are an excellent resource. They have experience helping car accident victims, and they can give you all the information you need during a free consultation. Get the compensation you deserve with a car accident lawyer.
Hiring the Best Accident Lawyer for Your Case
If you are out looking for the best accident lawyer to handle your case, it’s best to go with a person you can be honest with and trust to fight for your case. At Sokoloff, our lawyers are prepared to fight for the compensation that you deserve. Book a free consultation with a Toronto personal injury lawyer at Sokoloff Lawyers today and find the best accident lawyer fit for your case.
Sources:
http://www.knowyourback.org/pages/spinalconditions/injuries/whiplash.aspx
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/100034