Although all drivers in California have a duty of care to operate their vehicles in a safe manner and avoid causing injuries to others, automobile accidents are common. While high-impact collisions can result in serious injuries, people can also be injured in minor fender benders. If you were injured in a car accident, you should immediately seek medical treatment, avoid speaking to insurance adjustors or investigators, and call our attorneys. Even when the other driver has low policy insurance limits, our office can be crucial in helping victims avoid low-ball settlement offers by insurance companies. This article is a brief discussion of some of the common injuries that are caused by car accidents.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries which occurs when a sudden impact causes a vehicle occupant’s head to jerk forward or backward, resulting in neck strain. The muscles and tendons on the neck can be injured or torn, even in low impact collisions. At times, the pain is immediate, but sometimes symptoms may not surface for several hours or even days after an accident occurs.
While whiplash injuries are can result in minor strains, more severe injuries include nerve or disc damage, fractured vertebrae, or ruptured ligaments. Recovery time depends on the severity of the injury and can range from a few weeks to as long as three months. If whiplash is not properly treated, there is an increase risk of future neck or back injuries. Be aware! Many insurance adjustors will manipulate victims into settling claims for less than they deserve. For example, some adjustors will second guess your doctor’s treatment plan based on outdated studies or suggest that you are not telling the truth about the severity of your injury.
Head Injuries
Today, vehicles equipped with air bags to mitigate the risk, or minimize the severity, of injuries. Nonetheless, high speed collisions can still cause head injuries to vehicle occupants, ranging from concussions to mild traumatic brain injuries. In some cases, victims can also sustain more significant injuries such as skull fractures, unconsciousness, hearing and vision problems, headaches, fatigue, irritability, loss of sleep, or other severe traumatic brain injuries. Remember that even when air bags deploy, serious head injuries can still occur. Conversely, while air bags may not deploy, but injuries may neverless occur depending on the type of vehicle and point of impact.
Back Injuries
Car accidents can also cause a wide range of back injuries — muscle spasms, herniated discs, or fractured vertebrae. Symptoms include pain and tingling or reduced sensation in the arms, hands, legs and feet, while more significant spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis.
Chest Injuries
Chest injuries from blunt force trauma in a car collision can cause broken ribs, internal bleeding or collapsed lungs. Additionally, injuries to internal organs, the pelvis and abdomen can occur, and victims with preexisting heart conditions may even sudden cardiac arrest.
Contact an Accident Attorney Today
If you have been injured in a car accident in California, you may be afraid and not know where to turn. Our experienced personal injury attorneys we will represent you all stages of negotiations while working hard to help you obtain meaningful compensation. Many of our clients report becoming frustrated with the insurance adjustor after several weeks of communications and therefore come to us to represent their interests. We can help you obtain fair compensation, but make sure to contact as soon as you become involved in a car, motorcycle, or truck collision. By doing this, we will help you navigate the multiple obstacles set up by insurance companies to resolve your claim. Contact us today.
Posted in: Automobile Accidents