Car Accidents

Car accidents can result in a variety of painful injuries, some of which can be life-threatening. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t feel pain right away, some injuries may be masked by the adrenaline of the moment, and some may not make themselves known for days, or even weeks. By seeking prompt medical evaluation, you can not only ensure your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated, but strengthen your accident claim.

Some of the most common car accident injuries include:

• Whiplash: Whiplash injuries occur most frequently in rear end collisions, and are caused by the abrupt forward movement of a struck vehicle. The occupants’ heads are suddenly forced to snap back and forth with the vehicle, stretching the muscles and ligaments of the neck and upper back muscles beyond their typical range of motion. These injuries lead to significant pain and swelling, and are best managed with icing and over-the-counter pain medication.
• Broken Bones: Sudden collisions can be destructive to the body’s structure. During a crash, occupants’ limbs often hit hard surfaces within the car with great force, splintering or fracturing bones. The severity of the fractures can vary depending on the type of collision and the speed of the vehicles involved. The treatment for broken bones typically involves immobilization of the affected area, which may require a cast or surgery in more severe cases.
• Head Injuries: Auto crashes account for nearly 14% of all traumatic brain injuries in the United States each year. During a crash, the forceful impact of the brain against the skull can disrupt its normal function, leading to immediate loss of consciousness, memory loss, or physical impairment. Serious head injuries – from concussions to traumatic brain injuries – are common in wrecks, and often lead to hearing, vision, and memory problems. Head injuries can vary widely in their severity and modes of treatment – if you suspect you might have a head injury after your accident, seek immediate emergency care.
• Back and Neck Injuries: A sudden violent collision can harm the bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the upper and lower back. Back and neck injuries can present as sharp or burning pain, stiffness, muscle spasms, tingling, and mobility issues. The most common spinal injuries include sprains, herniated discs, and fractured vertebrae – these injuries can cause paralysis or painful degenerative spinal disorders that require long-term treatment. To treat non-vertebral injuries, medical experts usually recommend painkillers, physical therapy, a neck brace, cold packs, and elevation.
• Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, spleen, liver, bladder, kidneys, or intestines, can cause systemic failure in the body or life-threatening internal bleeding. Internal injuries are often deadly if not treated immediately.
• Lacerations: During a moment of a violent impact, broken glass, metal, or other sharp objects in the vehicle can lacerate or penetrate the skin, leading to wounds that can vary in severity. The head, face, arms, and legs are most commonly affected by lacerations during a crash. To avoid infection or scarring, it’s important to seek prompt medical attention for these injuries. Depending on the severity of the cuts, treatment may range from first aid to a few stitches to emergency care.
• Contusions: When the body is hit with blunt force, damage occurs to underlying tissues and blood vessels, causing dark bruising. Contusions can range from mild to severe, and can occur in any part of the body during a car accident, but most typically the head, arms, and legs. Mild contusions can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, while more serious ones may require imaging tests to assess the damage.
• Psychological Trauma: Car crashes can result in psychological traumas as well as physical ones. Psychological trauma can manifest in various ways, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and substance abuse disorders. Invisible psychological injuries can derail a person’s life as easily as physical injuries. Treatment for psychological trauma can vary depending on symptoms and severity. Common treatments may include a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and support groups.

Immediately after your accident, as the storm begins to calm, the first and most important thing to do is to check yourself and others for any injuries. If anyone is seriously injured, immediately call 911 for emergency medical care. Once you’ve ensured everyone’s safety, exchange contact and insurance information with any other parties involved in the accident. If possible, take photos of the damage to your vehicle and the surrounding area, including street signs and traffic lights. It’s also important to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible – even if you don’t plan to file a claim. Finally, you should call an injury law firm and get in contact with a qualified car accident lawyer who will ensure your compensation.

While it’s possible to handle an accident claim on your own, it’s not advisable. After an auto accident, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure that your rights are protected and that you obtain compensation. They can investigate the car crash, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and interview accident witnesses to build a strong case on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. If your case goes to trial, our attorneys will fight for your rights in court.

This depends on the statute of limitations in your state. For example, in Alabama, you have two years from the date of the accident to file, in Tennessee, you have one year, and in Florida, you have four. However, there are some exceptions and special circumstances that can affect the time limit for filing a claim. If you need clarification on the statute of limitation in your state, contact one of our attorneys.

While the value of your case and your amount of compensation is impossible to quantify immediately after the accident, our car accident lawyers will take a variety of factors into consideration, based on their knowledge of the law and the evidence they gather from your employer, insurance company, and medical records. These factors may include current and future medical care, lost income and pain and suffering.

The cost of hiring a car wreck lawyer varies, but many work on a contingency fee basis.

With offices located throughout Alabama, Tennessee and now Florida, Wettermark Keith has an excellent reputation as one of the most accomplished personal injury firms in the country. Our reach is not only regional, but includes a diverse range of practice areas, such as: personal injury cases, auto wrecks, trucking wrecks, insurance dispute claims (including storm damage claims), nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, on the job injuries (including workers compensation) social security disability, and veterans’ disability claims.

At Wettermark Keith, we believe in taking cases personally. Our purpose is to practice with care and compassion – to tell our client’s stories and make their voices heard. We do this by building strong relationships based on constant communication and an unwavering dedication to truth and trust. Winning cases isn’t our goal – caring for you is. Winning is just how we show it. As we say, it’s more to us, it’s personal.