California Car Accident Attorneys

Common Injuries Caused by California Car Accidents

The dynamic and violent forces of a car accident can lead to numerous types of injuries. Even seemingly minor, low-speed collisions can result in serious, life-changing consequences.

Car accidents can cause many types of injuries, including:

• Chest injuries. Collisions can cause chest injuries due to the forceful impact against the steering wheel, dashboard, or seatbelt. In severe collisions, the chest area can be subject to high levels of trauma, resulting in bruises, fractured ribs, or even more critical conditions such as internal bleeding and lung punctures. The risk of chest injuries is particularly high in front-end collisions, where the forward momentum may cause the torso to strike against hard surfaces within the vehicle. Symptoms of chest injuries can include sharp pains, difficulty breathing, and visible bruising.
• Head injuries. Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are some of the most severe potential outcomes of car accidents. The force of a collision can cause the head to strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows, leading to various types of head injuries like concussions, contusions, or more serious TBIs. Even in the absence of direct impact, the abrupt deceleration of the vehicle can result in the brain moving violently within the skull, potentially causing bruising or bleeding of brain tissue. Symptoms of TBIs can range from headaches and temporary confusion to unconsciousness, permanent cognitive impairment, and emotional instability. 
• Soft tissue injuries. A sudden jolt or impact can cause the body to move abruptly, leading to strains, sprains, or tears in the body's connective tissues, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons. One of the most recognized soft tissue injuries resulting from car accidents is whiplash, which affects the neck and upper back due to rapid back-and-forth movement. The symptoms of soft tissue injuries, such as pain, swelling, and reduced mobility, may not appear immediately, making it crucial for individuals involved in car accidents to seek medical attention even if they feel okay initially.
• Spinal cord injuries. The force exerted during a collision can put immense pressure on the spine, potentially leading to fractures, disc herniation, or spinal cord damage. Spinal fractures can occur in any part of the spine but often affect the lumbar (lower back) region. Disc herniation happens when the cushion-like discs between the vertebrae get compressed and rupture, leading to nerve pain and weakness. More catastrophically, a severe impact can bruise or sever the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis. The location of the injury along the spinal column largely determines the extent of the paralysis, with higher injuries causing more widespread paralysis. Symptoms of back injuries from car accidents can range from mild back pain and stiffness to severe mobility limitations and neurological impairment.

What to Do after a California Car Accident

In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, you should do your best to take certain steps to protect your rights. Documenting as much as possible can strengthen your personal injury claim and give you a better chance of recovering compensation. 

After a collision, you should make every effort to:

• Call 9-1-1. You must report the accident to the police if anyone was injured, so do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 once it is safe to do so. The responding officer will create an official accident report. You should request a copy of this report, as it may become an important part of your personal injury claim.
• Gather everyone’s information. You need the names, phone numbers, addresses, insurance information, and driver’s license information of everyone involved in the crash. 
• Ask witnesses for contact information. If anyone saw what happened, ask for their name, phone number, and e-mail, when possible. Witnesses may be able to help support your side of the story later on.
• Take photos. Before leaving the scene, use your smartphone to take photos of your injuries, damage to your vehicle, road conditions, the surrounding area, and anything else that may have contributed to the collision.
• See a medical professional. Whether you go to the emergency room right away or schedule a follow-up doctor’s visit, you should get a full medical evaluation as soon as you can after the accident, even if you do not think you were seriously hurt. Some injuries will not be obvious at first, and you need to link any harm you sustained to the accident. 
• Keep a record of your expenses. Save receipts associated with vehicle repairs, vehicle rentals, medical bills, and any other costs incurred because of the accidents. 
• Get in touch with Carpenter & Zuckerman. You should discuss your options for recovering compensation with a legal professional as soon as possible after suffering injuries in an accident. Our California car accident lawyers can get to work on your claim.