Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
whiplash complications
I was a passenger in a auto accident on 1/23/98. We were hit from behind by a Astro van going 25-35 mph. I saw a chiropractor that night and a MD the next day. The chiropractor took x-rays. The MD he gave me a handful of pain medication and sent me on my way. I have pain in my head, neck shoulders back and legs. I also have intermitent numbness in my hands. But the thing that I am the most concerned (afraid ) about is my vision. It has been double and blured since three days after the accident. I have always had poor vision but this is different. I saw my opthamoligist that week and three times since. Today he told me that My brain was bruised by the impact when my head hit the headrest my brain hit my skull. My vision was affected in three ways.Two should heal with time (at least 6 more months). The third is that now I will need reading glasses in addition to my contacts when I read anything close up.This was precipated ( many years in advance) by the accident. This will not repair it's self. What would be a reasonable settlement?
1 Answer from Attorneys
You need more information
Many factors determine the value of a claim in California. If you did not have auto insurance at the time of the accident, you are not entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. Beyond that, you presently do not know medically what is causing the problems which you are experiencing. Nor do you know what is necessary to heal you as best as you can be healed. Nor do you know what the costs are of this medical treatment. Nor do you know what, if any, disabilities you will experience, etc. We strongly suggest that you seek out the services of a personal injury attorney who will guide you through this medical-legal situation.