{"id":353107,"date":"2016-11-03T14:24:37","date_gmt":"2016-11-03T19:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/the-car-accident-whiplash-settlement-process.html"},"modified":"2025-10-16T09:49:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T14:49:26","slug":"the-car-accident-whiplash-settlement-process","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/the-car-accident-whiplash-settlement-process.html","title":{"rendered":"Car Accident Whiplash Settlements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Car Accident Whiplash Settlements<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Car accident<\/span> whiplash settlements<\/span> involve compensation for soft tissue<\/span> neck injuries<\/span> caused by sudden head movement, often the result of a rear-end collision<\/span>. Whiplash occurs when impact forces the head to snap violently backward and forward, damaging vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments<\/span>. Settlement amounts depend on injury severity, medical costs<\/span>, lost wages<\/span>, and whether you live in a no-fault or traditional tort state.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Whiplash is one of the most common types of\u00a0soft tissue<\/span> injury<\/span><\/a>. It occurs most often to drivers and passengers involved in rear-end collisions<\/span>. In these accidents, the impact forces the head to snap violently backward and forward.<\/p>\n

For some people, the term “whiplash<\/a>” has a negative connotation. They tend to think of it as an imaginary injury. Today, most medical professionals<\/span> refer to this injury as a cervical or neck sprain, a cervical or neck strain, or a hyperextension injury.<\/p>\n

No matter what you call it, a whiplash injury<\/span><\/a> can be excruciating and can cause serious injuries<\/span> to your vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments<\/span> in the neck. This article shows how to determine if you can sue for a whiplash injury<\/span>. It also discusses how much a car accident<\/span> settlement<\/span> involving whiplash is worth.<\/p>\n

If you suffer whiplash or any other injury in a car accident<\/span>, you may be entitled to compensation. The best way to know for sure is to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer<\/span><\/a>. Your legal options for recovering compensation may vary significantly depending on whether you live in a no-fault insurance state or a traditional tort state. This article will explain the general principles that apply to a whiplash case<\/span>, but specific rules in your state may affect your ability to pursue certain types of compensation.<\/p>\n

Causes of a Whiplash Injury<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whiplash injuries<\/span> are a common byproduct of\u00a0car accidents<\/span><\/a>, but they can occur anytime you experience a sudden back-and-forth “whipping” movement of the neck. You can suffer a whiplash injury<\/span> in any sort of accident, including a slip and fall, an assault, or when participating in sports.<\/p>\n

Whiplash injuries<\/span> aren’t always immediately recognizable. The rush of adrenaline that occurs after an accident can mask certain soft tissue<\/span> injuries<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The following are symptoms of whiplash<\/span><\/a>:<\/p>\n