Posted on February 18, 2020 in Car Accident

Soft tissue injuries are some of the most common injuries that can occur in car accidents. If you have been the victim of a vehicle collision, it is important to not ignore sprains and strains or dismiss them as minor injuries. Additionally, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with how to increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for any losses that you or your loved ones have experienced in a crash caused by a negligent driver.

What Is a Soft Tissue Injury?

Soft tissue injuries are caused by a sudden, uncontrolled overextension of muscles. Such injuries typically occur in crashes because of the jarring motion of a collision or because a part of the body became entrapped. Injuries like these are classified as either sprains or strains. Strains are injuries to the ligaments, while sprains are injuries to either the tendons or the muscles themselves.

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 Posted on February 14, 2020 in Car Accident

Although a wide range of injuries may occur in an auto accident, some are more common than others. Several factors can impact the severity of these injuries, including the speed at the time of impact, seatbelt use, and deployment of airbags. Read on to gain a better understanding of these injuries, their estimated healing time, and how to obtain fair compensation for the pain and suffering they have caused you and your family.

1. Head Injuries - Damage to the head can vary from lacerations and contusions to major concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Victims may bump their heads on the door or suffer cuts from loose objects in the vehicle, or their brains may suffer a strong jarring upon impact. The healing time for these injuries can vary significantly, ranging anywhere from a few days to several years. In some cases, the effects of an injury may be permanent, and they may include memory loss, seizures, or mood disorders.

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 Posted on February 07, 2020 in Car Accident

Side-impact crashes, otherwise known as T-bone or broadside car accidents, can be devastating for a vehicle's driver and passengers. In fact, researchers from the Monash University Accident Research Center determined that these crashes were more likely to result in death, killing between 8,000 and 10,000 people annually. Even more alarming is the fact that severe or fatal injuries can occur at speeds as slow as 30 miles per hour. For those who have been injured or whose relatives have been killed in a T-bone crash, it is important to understand the importance of filing a personal injury claim, as it may increase the odds of a fair and favorable settlement.

The Potential Aftermath of a Side-Impact Crash

In a front or rear crash, vehicle’s seat belts and airbags usually minimize the impact for any front-seat passengers. Unless the vehicle is equipped with side airbags, this is rarely the case in a T-bone crash. Victims may be thrown against the door of their vehicle, which can result in head injuries and fractures. The vehicle door may also crush in toward the victim, which can cause fractures, compartment syndrome, lacerations, and other serious injuries.

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 Posted on February 04, 2020 in Car Accident

Car crash victims sometimes sustain injuries that require them to seek medical treatment. Of course, this care does come at a cost. Who is responsible for these losses, and what can victims do to ensure their medical expenses are covered? Depending on the circumstances that led to your car accident, the other driver may be responsible for the cost of your medical bills. An investigation may be required to determine who is at fault. If the other driver was deemed responsible for the collision, then the liability for your losses (including medical expenses) will most likely rest with that negligent motorist.

Covering Your Medical Expenses

Unfortunately, it can take time to recover compensation after your accident. If you need ongoing medical treatment, that wait could compromise your health. To ensure continuity of treatment, you may need to initially cover the costs yourself. If you have health insurance, you can file a claim while paying any co-pays or other related expenses. Alternatively, you may be able to file a claim under your auto insurance policy to make sure your medical expenses are covered while you await your personal injury settlement.

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 Posted on January 31, 2020 in Car Accident

As is true in many cases involving injuries, it is not uncommon to think you are okay immediately after a car accident, apart from feeling shaken up by the impact. During these critical moments, you may not sense that there is anything wrong, as your perception of pain can be naturally subdued by the shock and adrenaline rush your mind and body have experienced in the collision. This is true for both minor and major car crashes. When you are stunned from a collision, it can take some time to sense the presence of any injuries. However, it is essential that you see a medical professional sooner rather than later so you can begin the recovery process. It is also important to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer who can determine liability for your accident and help you seek damages.

Signs of Concussion Can Sometimes Be Overlooked

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 Posted on January 28, 2020 in Car Accident

Aches and pains after a vehicle collision are normal, since your body has absorbed a significant amount of force from the impact. However, in some cases, this soreness is caused by more than just minor muscle injuries, and it may indicate a more troublesome condition, known as compartment syndrome. This is an ailment in which pressure builds inside the muscle compartments. If left untreated, it can begin to cut off blood flow to the affected area, resulting in serious complications. Such injuries are usually seen in the legs, but they can also occur in the hands, arms, or feet. Compartment syndrome may be either chronic or acute; most cases resulting from an auto accident are acute, which can be more dangerous.

Warning Signs of Compartment Syndrome

How do you determine if your injuries are typical or something more serious? Look for these signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome:

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 Posted on January 24, 2020 in Car Accident

One of the most common questions drivers or passengers struggle with when they are hurt in a car accident is whether their injuries are considered serious, or if they should be concerned about their long-term health. In many cases, when people have a headache or some aches or pains for a few days following an accident, they are tempted to brush the symptoms off with the hopeful assumption that they will soon be on the mend. However, severe and minor injuries alike can be tricky to assess, as some are subtle at first and then gradually worsen over time, while others are immediately noticeable.

Injuries That May Result in Long-Term Damage

While some car crash injuries are thankfully minor or temporary, others end up being catastrophic personal injuries that alter our lives forever. A few examples of such devastating injuries include:

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 Posted on January 20, 2020 in Car Accident

The mere thought of your teenager experiencing a car accident or injury can be incredibly overwhelming, especially as you watch him or her venture out onto the open road as a new driver for the first time. Statistically speaking, the number of teen drivers has declined significantly over the past 30 years. According to a 2016 study, almost half of all 16-year-olds were licensed drivers back in 1983, but less than a quarter of teens had their license at this age in 2016. The increasing cost of insurance and fuel, paired with increased access to public transit systems and rideshare programs, are all believed to be at least partially responsible for this change. Yet, most teens do eventually get their license. In fact, almost two thirds of all 19-year-olds were documented as having their license in 2016. What do these trends mean for parents, and how can you help to ensure your teen is a safe and responsible driver, regardless of age? Below are a few tips for both parents and their kids when experiencing this milestone:

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 Posted on January 13, 2020 in Car Accident

Whether you are a driver, bicyclist, pedestrian, or motorcyclist, every time you venture out onto the open road, you are at risk for accidents and injuries. It is important to remember that everyone shares the same roadways and has the same rights by law. Depending on your mode of transportation, however, you may have different disadvantages that make you more susceptible to injury in a collision. Whether you are involved in a car accident or a motorcycle accident or have been struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, you should be sure to understand your options for pursuing compensation for your injuries. It is also important to understand the steps drivers and others on the road should take to decrease the chances of a collision, since failure to follow the proper safety procedures can lead to a driver being held liable for the injuries and damages that are caused in an accident.

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 Posted on January 08, 2020 in Car Accident

Even when motorists practice safe driving techniques, crashes are a fact of life. Winter weather conditions can sometimes cause a chain reaction if cars start to slide on icy roadways and cannot stop. In other scenarios, speeding or distracted driving may lead to a collision. While many auto accidents involve just one or two vehicles, multiple-vehicle car accidents do occur. In these instances, it can be difficult to determine who is truly at fault for the crash, which can complicate the recovery process for the victims. Thankfully, injured parties can recover compensation with help from the law and a seasoned personal injury attorney.

Who Is Financially Responsible in a Crash?

In Illinois, innocent victims of a crash have the right to seek compensation from the person (or persons) who caused the accident. This responsible individual is otherwise known as the “at-fault party.” It is also important to know that there can be multiple at-fault parties in a crash. The amount of compensation that each liable party must cover is determined by their percentage of fault in the crash.

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