But in recent years, the insurance industry has spent billions of dollars in advertising to try to brainwash the public ... the people who end up sitting on juries ... into believing that "whiplash" claims are exaggerated or phony.
In addition, insurance lobbyists have spent big bucks buying favors from so many state and federal lawmakers that so-called "tort reform" laws -- solely designed to take away legal rights from injured people -- are being passed all over the country.
Unfortunately, these tactics are working. Some insurance companies are now offering so little money to settle soft-tissue claims that many lawyers can't afford to handle them. Often, accident victims just give up.
Dedicated trial lawyers, like those who belong to the ATLA (Association of Trial Lawyers of America), or to various state trial lawyer groups, will often agree to take these difficult cases just to help preserve the integrity and viability of our tort system.