$5
Million
$5 million settlement
We recently won a $5 million settlement for a wrongful death & injury case to survivor due to car crash.
Our Indianapolis Whiplash Injuries Lawyer Helps Win Compensation
“Whiplash” is a term for neck injuries caused by a hyperextension of the neck from being suddenly jolted in one direction and then another. Whiplash injuries are most often sustained in rear-end collisions, although they can also happen in side-impact crashes or even sports accidents, work injuries, or falls. Whiplash injuries can be mild and heal after a relative short period of treatment and therapy, or they can be severe, causing permanent paralysis which requires ongoing medical attention and in-home assistance, results in loss of employment, and irrevocably affects the family dynamics.
If you or a loved one has suffered a whiplash injury due to another party’s negligence or fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. However, getting compensation can be difficult, since whiplash cannot normally be diagnosed with precision, like an X-ray showing a broken bone, and insurance companies will often try to deny or minimize claims.
A common myth is that accident victims who complain of neck pain are just malingering, trying to dip into the deep pockets of insurance companies to get money they don’t deserve. In fact, insurance companies themselves often try to downplay the seriousness of claimants’ whiplash injuries in order maintain their own profitability.
You don’t have to be in a high-speed collision to sustain serious and extremely painful injuries. In fact, a vehicle’s occupants can be hurt even if the vehicle itself emerges from the collision undamaged. One of the most common injuries in low-speed impacts is whiplash, a term used to describe a range of neck injuries caused by sudden distortions of the neck. It occurs when the neck is pushed forward then “whipped” quickly backward (or vice versa).
Speak with a Whiplash Injury Attorney in Indiana Today
If you have been in an Indiana car accident, you may need the experience and determination of the Indianapolis whiplash lawyers of Stephenson Rife in order to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. We know the tactics insurance companies use and are fully prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our initial consultation is free, and there are no fees to you unless and until we win your case.
Let us handle the legal hurdles, investigations and negotiations involved with winning a settlement, while you concentrate on your recovery. Call us today for a free consultation to determine the best way forward.
How Our Indianapolis Whiplash Attorneys Help You
Why Choose Us
There are many lawyers out there, and it’s important for you to find one you have confidence in and who has the experience and resources to fight for the compensation you deserve. Here are some reasons why we believe that Stephenson Rife is your best choice:
- We are experienced. Our firm has been meeting the needs of people throughout Indiana since 1976. Mike Stephenson has 40 years of experience handling injuries and is a trusted advisor to many individuals and companies.
- We get results and win large settlements, such as the $48.5 million we won in a truck accident case. We have a strong record of success for a wide range of personal injury cases. You can read their testimonials and about the cases.
- We are recognized in our field. Attorneys Mike Stephenson and Brady Rife have both been named as Indiana Super Lawyers and have won distinguished legal awards.
- We handle all legal paperwork and court appearances required by Indiana law.
- We deal and negotiate with insurance companies, so you won’t have to.
- We are recognized for our expertise and are the law firm that other law firms consult.
- We offer free initial consultations to get you started.
- We are able to provide cost-effective legal services to keep fees low, and you pay us nothing unless we win and you get your money.
How Our Whiplash Attorney in Indianapolis Works for You
When you have our whiplash attorneys on your side, you can rest assured that we will get to work to immediately. We will:
- Meet with you to discuss how your accident occurred, who the at-fault parties may be, and determine if you have a valid lawsuit and what type of settlement to go after.
- Conduct investigations to gather evidence, such as photographs and traffic videos, and police, ambulance, hospital, and medical records and reports.
- Interview witnesses and first responders.
- Get expert opinions from accident reconstruction professionals and medical professionals and therapists as to costs of your injuries and how they will affect your life into the future.
- Negotiate with insurance companies and opposition lawyers for a fair settlement.
- Build your case and take it to court and present it in front of a judge and jury if necessary.
We strive to give our clients the personalized service they deserve. Let Stephenson Rife put our resources to work for you, because we believe justice matters.
Compensation Our Whiplash Injury Attorney May Recover
In a successful case for whiplash, you may win an award, called damages, that compensates you for your losses. In Indiana, damage awards include compensatory damages for your economic and noneconomic losses, and the possibility of punitive damages as well.
Economic damages – (also called “special damages”) are for the monetary losses that result from your injuries. Examples include:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost income from being unable to work and for reduced future income
- Property damage related to the accident.
Noneconomic damages – (also called “general damages”) are for damages that do not have a specific dollar value, but negatively impact your life, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages
Punitive damages may also be awarded in rare circumstances. These are intended to punish a defendant for especially malicious or intentional actions and deter similar conduct from happening in the future.
Amounts of Damage Awards
There are a wide range of damage award amounts you may receive for a whiplash injury, depending on the factors and circumstances involved in your individual case. For severe whiplash that causes permanent paralysis requiring continuing care, damage awards may range into the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
Whiplash Injury Attorneys Must Prove Negligence
To win your case, our attorneys would have to prove that another party, the defendant in the case, was negligent and at fault for causing your whiplash injuries. Proving negligence legally means showing that the defendant:
- Had a duty of care not to injure you
- Breached or failed in that duty by their actions or inaction
- This failure of duty caused your injuries
- You suffered damages as a result.
To prove negligence, our legal team would investigate your case, gather evidence from surveillance cameras, police and medical reports, interview witnesses, and hire experts to reconstruct the accident if necessary.
Whiplash Injury Lawyers Answer FAQs
When you suffer a serious whiplash injury, it’s natural to have questions and concerns. While these are best addressed at your free consultation, the following are answers to some questions our attorneys are often asked.
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Yes, Indiana has a statute of limitations, which is a deadline for filing most personal injury claims. According to Indiana Code (IC) 34-11-2-4(3), you must file a claim within two years from the date of the accident or the courts will not hear your case. In addition, evidence tends to disappear and memories of witnesses fade over time, so it’s best to contact our attorneys as soon as possible.
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Typically, whiplash causes pain and spasms in the neck muscles. But there are many other symptoms which could be related to whiplash, including the following:
- Numbness in the arms, hands or legs
- Frequent or persistent headaches
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Inability to sleep
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory problems
- Problems with balance
- Irritability.
The consequences of a whiplash injury may also include a variety of related problems.
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Whiplash injuries range from minor to catastrophic. Minor whiplash injuries are uncomfortable but cause little disruption. They usually resolve in a matter of hours or months and can be addressed with minor physical therapy or medications.
Moderate whiplash injuries are those injuries causing symptoms which last for more than a year and up to two years after the accident. Usually, the victim’s activities are affected to some degree, including loss of time at work, inability to participate in certain family activities, and the financial burden of increased medical bills.
Severe or catastrophic whiplash injuries are those whose consequences extend beyond two full years. They may be classified as permanent injuries from which total recovery will never occur.
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Sometimes whiplash injuries are immediately obvious, but for many accident victims, the symptoms don’t develop until days or weeks later, when they suddenly start to experience numbness in their feet or legs or find that their headache just won’t go away.
Because of this, it is imperative that anyone involved in a collision – even one at relatively low speed that doesn’t seriously damage the vehicle – seek medical evaluation. Only a medical professional knows what to look for and can advise you of your need for therapy, and you will need this evaluation in order to make an informed claim against the negligent party’s insurance company.
As a soft-tissue injury, whiplash cannot be seen on an X-ray, although X-rays may be ordered if the doctor suspects a fracture or dislocation of the cervical spine. A CT scan and/or MRI may be done to produce detailed images of the organs and soft tissue structures of the body.
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Whiplash treatment typically begins with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice applied to the painful neck muscles. If the patient’s pain persists, the doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants and/or prescription painkillers. The neck may be immobilized by use of a cervical collar. In many cases, physical therapy is recommended. Acupuncture, chiropractic adjustment and electric nerve stimulation may provide relief.
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While you technically do not need an attorney, because whiplash injuries are difficult to diagnose and insurance companies are likely to fight these claims, it can help to have an attorney familiar with whiplash cases fight for the compensation you deserve. Our Stephenson Rife Indiana whiplash lawyers can help you to negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement, and insurance companies are likely to take your case more seriously if they know you have an attorney willing to take your case to trial.
Get Help Today from an Experienced Whiplash Injury Lawyer
At Stephenson Rife, we leave no stone unturned in our investigation after an accident. We put our skills and experience to work for you to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve for your injuries. If you were injured in a car, truck, or any other accident caused by neglectful actions of another, contact our whiplash injury lawyer to find out if you have a case.
We work on a contingency basis so there is no fee until we win a settlement for you. Call today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
Attorney Brady Rife
Brady Rife has developed a diverse civil litigation practice for plaintiffs throughout Indiana. Brady is heavily involved in serious personal injury matters, complex business and commercial disputes, and insurance litigation in state and federal courts. Brady has successfully tried several jury trials and bench trials as lead counsel and has also briefed multiple cases before the Indiana Court of Appeals. [ Attorney Bio ]
