Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

 What’s the Average Settlement for a Pedestrian Hit by a Car?

| Read Time: 3 minutes

Car accidents can cause devastating injuries, especially to pedestrians. Unlike motorists, pedestrians have no protective barrier between them and the car that strikes them. As a result, pedestrians often need tens of thousands of dollars in medical care, and they are at higher risk of suffering permanent injuries. Injured pedestrians also can miss months of work, which makes obtaining compensation that much more critical. After your accident, you might wonder about the average settlement for a pedestrian hit by a car. In reality, there is no “average” settlement amount. Because settlements are usually confidential, no one has collected this information to come up with a believable number. The better course is to focus on the factors that go into calculating your settlement amount. Calculate How Much Your Medical Care Costs The purpose of a settlement is to make you “whole.” Basically, this means the settlement should put you in the position you would be in had you never been involved in an accident. One factor we look at it is how much money your medical care has cost. With minor injuries, like sprains or strains, you might only need a couple thousand dollars in medical care, possibly less. For serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries or bad burns, you could need much more. It is very easy to calculate the cost of medical care. Find all bills and receipts and add up the amounts. Remember you can receive compensation for things like rehabilitation, prescription drugs, and supportive devices such as crutches or wheelchairs. You might also receive compensation for transportation to the hospital or doctors visits. Add Up Your Lost Wages Another economic loss associated with car accidents are lost wages. If your broken leg or concussion causes you to miss work, then you can receive the wages you would have earned had you not been injured. Look at your pay stubs and calculate the amount. You can even receive lost wages if you are self-employed—provided you can establish what you would have earned with reasonable certainty. For example, if you had to cancel some contracts while you recovered, then you can probably receive their value in compensation. Estimate Your Pain and Suffering If you are a pedestrian hit by a car, settlement negotiations should include discussion of your intangible losses, like pain or emotional distress. The simple fact is that accidents cause some losses that are hard to calculate in dollars and cents. Nevertheless, these losses are very real. Many of our clients report a serious reduction in the quality of life after getting struck by a car. The amount you can receive usually depends on the seriousness of your physical injuries. A sprain that causes a couple of weeks of discomfort probably will not earn you much in pain and suffering. But an injury that prevents you from enjoying your favorite hobbies or playing with your children may be worth much more. When clients suffer permanent, life-changing injuries like paralysis, they can receive a considerable amount for pain and suffering. Analyze the Driver’s Insurance Policy The driver’s insurance policy will usually act as a ceiling to the amount you can receive. Regardless of how much money the accident has cost you—and regardless of the severity of your injuries—the fact is it is very rare for you to get more in a settlement than the driver has in insurance. California only requires that drivers carry $15,000 in injury liability insurance per person, and many drivers only carry the minimum. If your injuries are worth $50,000, you still might need to settle for $15,000. Of course, you can file a lawsuit as a pedestrian hit by a car but, again, you will probably not get more than the policy limit in compensation. Call an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Long Beach Negotiating a settlement is complicated, and you need someone experienced to represent you. At the Beliz Law Firm, we have gone up against many of the state’s largest insurers, and we know how to get a favorable settlement for our clients. By hiring us, you will get an advocate who knows how to build these cases the right way and who is not intimidated by insurer dirty tricks. To find out more about whether we can help you, please contact us right away. We offer clients a free consultation, which they can schedule by calling 562-452-3772.

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Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

| Read Time: 2 minutes

California has strict laws against fleeing the scene of an accident without providing contact information. Unfortunately, too many drivers flee, breaking the law in the process and leaving you with property damage or, worse, physical injuries. If you have suffered damage in a hit and run car accident, you should follow these tips before reaching out to a hit and run lawyer. Get Medical Treatment If you were in the car when it was struck, you should check to make sure everyone is okay. If someone needs help, contact 911 and ask for an ambulance. If injuries are less serious, you might drive to the hospital yourself later, but it is important to get prompt medical treatment because not all serious injuries are apparent or visible after a car accident. Note Details about the Car that Struck You You might have been in a store when someone struck your car, in which case you might not know anything about the offending motorist. However, if you were in the car when it was hit, you should collect as much information as possible: Check with nearby witnesses who might have seen more than you did. Get their names and contact information as well as what they saw. If you were struck in a parking lot, then surveillance videos might have captured the motorist before they fled. You can stop into a store and ask if they have video of the parking lot. Give them the date and time of the accident. Report the Accident California law requires that you report car accidents to the DMV within 10 days if the accident caused $1,000 or more of damage or if anyone was physically injured or killed. If you do not file this report, your license can be suspended. Check if Insurance Applies California is a “fault” state, meaning the driver at fault for an accident pays for your injuries and damage to the vehicle. Unfortunately, if a driver flees, you won’t be able to make a claim with their insurer unless you find the driver. Nevertheless, you might carry insurance that will cover you, such as: However, these forms of insurance are voluntary in California, meaning you might not have them. If not, your only chance of receiving compensation is to find out the driver who hit you so you can make a claim. Confused about What to Do in a Hit and Run? Contact Us Today At the Beliz Law Firm, our hit and run lawyers have helped countless clients get the compensation they need. If you identify the driver, we can help make a claim with his or her insurance company. If you have UM coverage, we can work with your insurer to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, please call us today, 562-452-3772.

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Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

How to Determine Pain and Suffering in a Car Accident Case

| Read Time: 3 minutes

Car accidents can leave victims with mounting medical bills and other financial losses, like lost wages. But not all injuries are easy to value in monetary terms. For example, if a car accident leaves you paralyzed in your legs, you might still be able to work. Nevertheless, you have suffered a terrible loss to your ordinary way of life. In California, “pain and suffering” is the catchall term to describe certain non-economic losses you can be compensated for. However, it is not always easy to calculate how much these losses are worth. If you have been in an auto accident, pain and suffering damages might be substantial. What Does Pain and Suffering Cover in California? Each state defines pain and suffering differently. According to California Civil Jury Instruction 3905A, pain and suffering includes: Physical pain; Mental suffering; Physical impairment; Disfigurement; Loss of enjoyment of life; Inconvenience; and Emotional distress, including embarrassment or anxiety. After a minor accident, this pain and suffering might be temporary, clearing up after a couple of months. With particularly serious accidents, however, our clients can be permanently disfigured or disabled. How Do We Calculate Pain and Suffering? In one sense, no amount of money can ever make up for certain injuries. For example, if your brain injury permanently impairs your memory and ability to speak, then no money can ever make you whole. Nevertheless, you can’t get your old body back in a car accident settlement, so money is the best substitute. At the Beliz Law Firm, we use two different methods to estimate pain and suffering: the multiplier method and the per diem method. Multiplier Method This method is easy to understand. You take your actual economic losses—the cost of medical care, lost wages, and property damage. Then you multiply these amounts by a number usually between 1 and 5, with 1 being used for less serious injuries and 5 used for the most serious, like paralysis. To take an example, Karen might have suffered the following economic losses when she suffered an arm fracture in a T-bone collision: Medical care: $5,000 Lost wages: $3,000 Car damage: $2,000 Total economic losses: $10,000 Since her injury is moderate, you would probably multiply this amount by 2 and arrive at $20,000, which is a rough estimate of her pain and suffering damages. Add the $20,000 to her $10,000 in economic losses, and Karen could get around $30,000 in her settlement. Per Diem Method Per diem means “by the day.” This method assigns a daily value for pain and suffering, such as $200. If Karen’s broken arm caused her pain for three months, during which she was regularly seeing the doctor, then you might multiply $200 by 90 days to reach $18,000 for total pain and suffering. How do you arrive at the per diem amount? Actually, it might seem rather arbitrary. An insurance company might look at how much you earn a day and use that as the number. Your attorney could use some other number so long as there is a legitimate reason for doing so. Speak with Us Now After an auto accident, you need steady legal guidance to help you get the money you deserve. At the Beliz Law Firm, we have extensive experience with car accident settlement pain and suffering claims, and we want to use our knowledge for you. To schedule your free consultation, please reach out to us today.

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Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

Common Injuries Faced by Pedestrians After a Car Accident

| Read Time: 2 minutes

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, they very seldom have the advantage. The car is larger and it’s moving faster. Even a car moving at the relatively slow speed of 10 mph can do serious irreversible damage to a defenseless pedestrian. While the pedestrian has a duty to obey traffic signals and traffic laws, so does the car. Furthermore, the car has a duty to attempt to avoid the pedestrian. That is the case even when the pedestrian is jaywalking or committing some other violation. In that event, the illegal actions of the pedestrian do not negate either the illegal actions of the driver nor their duty to avoid the pedestrian. Even pedestrians who are partially at fault for an accident can collect a major settlement or jury award. The reason for that is due to the fact that pedestrians suffer extensive injuries in collisions with cars. Some of those injuries can change a person’s life forever. Traumatic Brain Injury The term “traumatic brain injury” is generic enough to encompass a wide array of head injuries that vary in severity. But more often than not pedestrians will suffer from concussions at the very least. In very bad scenarios they can suffer permanent brain damage that compromises their ability to do their jobs, maintain employment, or experience a full range of emotions. Damage to certain parts of the brain can be fatal. In addition, the brain can suffer damage from swelling or bleed internally. Spine and Neck Injuries Depending on how a pedestrian is hit, the chances that they suffer serious damage to their spine or neck are not negligible. From these, permanent paralysis can result. This can force major changes to a person’s line of work. If they depended on their ability to stand in order to do their job, then they will need to find a new line of work. Not only would they be entitled to collect on their loss of income, but they could also collect on training necessary to enter a new field of employment. In the most severe cases, the paralysis is lifelong and leaves the injured party without the use of either their arms or legs. These individuals require 24-hour care. They are entitled to collect damages to pay for that care. Bone and Organ Damage Depending on the size of the vehicle that hits a pedestrian, extensive damage to various parts of the body can occur. Even smaller vehicles can cause serious damage to the arms, legs, and the “core”, like the ribs. This, in turn, can lead to potentially fatal internal bleeding or severe organ damage. In every case, the pedestrian may likely need multiple surgeries and an extensive period of rehabilitation. This can keep them out of work for an extended period of time while medical expenses and other bills pile up. Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today If you’ve suffered injuries in a pedestrian-car accident, you are entitled to collect damages. Call the personal injury attorneys at Beliz Law Firm at (562) 452-3772 or contact us online and we can begin building your case right away.

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Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

How Long Does a Car Insurance Claim Take to Settle?

| Read Time: 3 minutes

After a serious car crash in Long Beach or elsewhere in Southern California, you are likely facing astronomical medical bills and significant lost wages. Not to mention the emotional and psychological stress associated with a severe auto accident. When you are dealing with the aftermath of a collision, you need to get compensation from the responsible party. Depending upon the specific facts of your case, you may open a claim with the negligent party’s insurer, which is a third-party claim. Or, if the other driver does not have auto insurance then you would bring a claim against your own insurance company, a first-party claim. There are many different factors that go into car insurance claim settlements. We will discuss some of the key issues with you. No matter what, it is important to have an experienced California car accident attorney on your side. To assist with the negotiation process and to ensure that you are taken care of by the insurance company. Insurance Requirements Under California Law When you file a car insurance claim—whether you file with your own insurance company or with the negligent party’s insurance company—one of the first major issues that can affect the timing of a settlement offer is the size of the policy limits that are covering the negligent driver. Under California law, drivers must carry the following types of coverage: Bodily injury liability of $15,000 per person; Bodily injury liability of $30,000 per accident; Property damage liability of $5,000; Even though it is not mandatory under: Uninsured motorist bodily injury of $15,000 per person; and Uninsured motorist bodily injury of $30,000 per accident. The size of the policy limits of the negligent driver may affect the timing of the settlement. If the policy limits are too small compared to the injuries, the insurance company may want to complete a settlement quicker. Compared to, where the policy limits are bigger than the injuries. If you file a third-party claim and the negligent driver does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for your losses. The case may take longer because you may have to file an underinsured motorist claim through your insurance company for compensation. Negotiating the Insurance Claim Settlement Typically, the longest part of an insurance claims process is negotiating a settlement. After finishing medical treatment, a demand claim is filed with the negligent insurance company. From here the insurance company can take anywhere from a week to months to make a first settlement offer. Afterward is where negotiation begins. If you and the insurance company cannot agree on the compensation, the only option may be to file a lawsuit.  Litigating a lawsuit in courts may take years. From when the case is filed to when a jury decides the outcome of a case. It is extremely important to have an attorney on your side who can help to navigate your case. You should also remember that the California Code of Regulations involves fair claims settlement practices. Which means that insurers offer a fair settlement after acknowledging a claim and conducting an investigation in which it determines that the claimant is due. Discuss Your Case with a California Car Accident Attorney Depending upon the nature of your case, the settlement process can take weeks, months, and sometimes even longer. In particular, in cases where injury victims must file lawsuits to get compensation, the case can last for years. To seek help with your claim, you should get in touch with a California car accident attorney as soon as possible. Contact the Beliz Law Firm for more information. To seek help with your claim, you should get in touch with a California car accident attorney as soon as possible. Contact the Beliz Law Firm for more information.

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Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

Can I Get Compensation for my Whiplash Injury?

| Read Time: 2 minutes

There are many different ways a car accident can cause injuries. These include broken bones, cuts, burns, and soft tissue injuries like whiplash. Whiplash refers to any painful neck injury. It can result from stretching and strains to the tendons, ligaments, or muscles in the neck. Whiplash occurs when the head is violently “whipped” forward and back or vice versa. This is where the name whiplash comes from. It is common for car accident victims to suffer whiplash. The injury may be severe enough to seek treatment for the condition. Doctors may treat whiplash among other things with prescription medication, physical therapy, electrical stimulation, or chiropractic manipulations. To limit movements, doctors may order a cervical collar while the patient recovers from whiplash. Yes, If Another Party was At Fault for your Accident You may recover compensation for your medical bills and expenses through a personal injury claim. To do this, you must demonstrate the following: Another party had the duty to take reasonable care to prevent an accident. In a car accident claim, this refers to the duty to obey posted speed limits, traffic signs, and avoid breaking other traffic laws; The party somehow breached his or her duty to prevent an accident. Speeding, driving drunk, following too closely, and texting while driving are examples of this type of breach; By breaching his or her duty to others, the driver caused an accident that resulted in your injuries; and The driver caused injury in terms of medical expenses or loss of earnings. In California, most accidents victims have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. File your personal injury claim ahead of this deadline. Give yourself and your lawyer sufficient time to negotiate an appropriate settlement. Recovering Compensation for your Whiplash Damages You can demonstrate that your injuries and financial damages were the direct result of another party’s negligence by providing evidence showing how the accident occurred and how it caused you to be injured. Evidence you can use to support your claim includes: Photographs of the accident; The official police report for the accident; Eyewitness testimonies of the accident; Documentation showing when you were out of work, what you earn, and the amount of earnings you missed because you were out to recover; Your medical bills; and Commentary from your doctor discussing the injury and your prognosis. Work with an Experienced Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer If an accident that could have been prevented if another party had taken greater care to reduce the likelihood of it happening caused injuries, you can seek compensation for your related monetary damages through a personal injury claim. To learn more about your rights, your legal options, and how to move forward with your claim, contact The Beliz Law Firm today to set up your free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. Call us at 562-452-3772.

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Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

Auto Accident Laws in California

| Read Time: 4 minutes

Laws vary from state to state. Federal laws are applicable in all 50 states. Laws on employment discrimination and immigration can be both from the federal and state. States are responsible for creating the rules of conduct within the state. These usually include laws about civil conduct and criminal offenses. A person involved in a car accident in California should understand the state’s car accident laws. Some states’ laws are very similar to California’s and others are wildly different. Familiarize yourself with the Golden State’s car accident laws. Then, you’ll know what to do if a driver injures you in an accident. California is an at Fault State for Car Accident Claims A victim can seek compensation for any resulting damages from a car accident. They do this through a personal injury claim against the negligent party. In some states, this is not the case. The victim must use personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for these expenses. When a California driver is negligent, he or she is liable for any damages that result from his or her negligence. In a car accident situation, the victim must be able to prove that the crash was the other driver’s fault. It must be a direct result of another party’s failure to take reasonable care to prevent the accident. Reasonable care to prevent an accident can be as simple as driving the speed limit or coming to a full stop at a red light or to traffic. Negligence can also mean simply acting in an unsafe manner while driving. This includes things such as failure to yield, following too closely, unsafe left-hand turn, text messaging, or driving drunk. Through a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for the following damages: Your medical bills; Your lost wages; and Your pain and suffering damages. Including all noneconomic damages like emotional distress and reduced quality of life. California Automobile Insurance Requirements In California, drivers are required to carry at least the following in car insurance: $15,000 in liability coverage for injury or death to one person; $30,000 in liability coverage for injury or death to multiple people in one incident; and $5,000 in liability coverage for property damage. Drivers can also insure themselves. When a driver shows proof of self-insurance, they can receive a self-insurance certificate. You can find this at the California Department of Motor Vehicles. You can comply with California’s insurance requirements in one of two ways. Either buy a $35,000 surety bond from a party licensed to operate in California or make a $35,000 cash deposit with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in California The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is usually two years from the date of the accident. This applies to private parties only, however. An insurance claim is not a lawsuit. Generally, the preferred course of action is to file a claim and reach a settlement privately. When this does not result in an appropriate settlement for the victim, he or she can file a lawsuit to have the case heard in court. The victim must file this lawsuit within two years of the accident that caused the injury. For this reason, most lawyers advise victims to be proactive. It’s important to start moving on your claim as soon as possible. When the Government is Responsible for your Accident, the Rules are Different The above statute of limitations only applies to claims against private parties. If a government entity’s negligence caused your accident, the statute of limitations for your case is six months. There are a few different ways the government can be the negligent party in your accident. A few examples include: An accident caused by a pothole or another hazard on a public road that the municipal, county, or state government should have removed or repaired; A collision with a public transportation vehicle, such as a bus; and A collision that resulted from a confusing or poorly planned roadway. A road might have an acceleration ramp that is too short or bends in a way that drivers cannot see oncoming traffic. When a roadway’s design makes it dangerous, the government entity charged with maintaining that area of roadway is liable for damages victims suffer as a result. If someone is facing injury because of a government entity’s negligence, he or she needs to file a claim under the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA). The victim must file the claim against the various government agencies that may be negligent. California is a Pure Comparative Negligence State You can still recover compensation for your damages even if you were partially at fault for the collision. If you are negligent and the negligence was a substantial factor to the harm caused to you, then the damages are reduced by the percentage of your responsibility. For example, if you are 10 percent at fault and you received a $100,000 in a jury trial, the amount of compensation you can recover is reduced by 10 percent. In this scenario, you can only recover up to $90,000. If You Do Not Have Auto Insurance You Cannot Recover Compensation for Non-Economic Damages California Law prevents those who do not have insurance from recovering non-economic damages, which are basically your pain and suffering damages. If you are driving a vehicle on California roadways, you want to have automobile insurance. Remember auto insurance gives you the opportunity to collect both economic and non-economic damages. This means you will be able to recover compensation for the entirety of your injuries. While non-economic damages are for your pain and suffering, economic damage includes lost wages and medical bills, in addition to any loss of earnings. No auto insurance means you will be severely limited in your recovery. You will be only able to recover for just economic damages, basically, items that you can prove with a receipt. Work with an Experienced Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer After an injury accident, the person who caused the crash may...

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Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

Dealing with Concussions from Car Accidents

| Read Time: 3 minutes

A concussion, also called a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), is one of the more common injuries you may sustain in a car accident. While some concussions are minor and cause relatively few problems, others can be quite debilitating and may cause long-term issues. Concussions, like any head injury, are serious. A doctor should monitor them closely. Signs of a Head Injury After a Car Accident A concussion is a brain injury that can occur any time you hit your head, or even from whiplash. The symptoms of a concussion may be immediate or could develop up to several weeks after your car accident. Seek medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms: Confusion Memory problems Sleepiness Headache Dizziness Blurred or double vision Sensitivity to light and sound Nausea or vomiting Losing consciousness It can be difficult to detect the signs of a concussion in young children because they are not always able to communicate what they are experiencing. See a doctor right away if your child got in a car accident and shows any of the following symptoms: Extreme drowsiness Excessive crying or irritability Slurred speech Strange behavior Vomiting Confusion Vision or balance difficulties Delayed reactions Long-Term Effects of Concussions Most concussion symptoms will dissipate within a few days. However, a serious concussion can hang around for months, continuing to cause headaches, dizziness, and confusion. Some people may suffer long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. Concussions can be particularly dangerous if you have suffered a previous concussion or another head injury. Subsequent concussions are more likely to cause permanent brain damage. Treating and Managing a Concussion There is no cure for a concussion. However, the best medicine for any head injury is rest. Rest is absolutely necessary for your brain to heal, so be careful not to overexert yourself physically or mentally. Reduce lighting and noise in your home while you recover. Although your family and friends may be anxious to visit you after a car accident, keep socializing to a minimum for a few days. A low-stimulus environment is most conducive to MTBI recovery. Acetaminophen may be helpful for lingering concussion headaches but avoid ibuprofen and aspirin. Your doctor may also prescribe other medications for pain and nausea. Do not consume alcohol during your recovery period. As always, follow your doctor’s orders closely and ask before making changes or beginning a new treatment. You will want to avoid activities that involve concentration and problem-solving. For this reason, your doctor may recommend you take time off from work or school. As you recover, you should slowly and gradually increase the amount of “mental work” you are doing. This includes “easy” tasks like reading, texting, and playing games. When you return to work or school, remember to take frequent breaks. Try to find a quiet place to lay your head down and nap if possible. Get in Touch with a Long Beach Personal Injury Attorney If you or a loved faces a head injury after a car accident, contact the Beliz Law Firm in Long Beach, California for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Call us anytime at (562) 452-3772.

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Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

Serious Car Accident Injuries You May Face After a Crash

| Read Time: 3 minutes

After a car crash, the extent of injuries that you may incur depends on different factors. What position were you in when the crash occurred? How fast were the vehicles traveling at impact? What was the angle and position of the crash? Were you wearing a seatbelt? These factors will impact the extent of your injuries. Serious car accident injuries are most common in head-on collisions, when occupants are not wearing seatbelts, or when vehicles are traveling at high speeds. Some of the most serious car accident injuries include: Spinal Cord Injuries The spinal cord is one of the most important and most delicate systems in the body. It is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and other systems. It is thanks to your spinal cord that you can walk, pick up a book, or even control when you go to the bathroom. The spinal column protects the spinal cord. It is a collection of vertebrae that form the shape of your spine. While these vertebrae are very strong, an accident can cause serious trauma. Damage to vertebrae can be serious enough to affect the spinal cord. If the accident impacts the spinal cord, the result is permanent partial or complete paralysis. Traumatic Brain Injuries Another type of serious injury that car accident victims may face are traumatic brain injuries or TBIs. There are multiple types of traumatic brain injuries. This type of injury may occur from several types of collisions, including: A hard hit directly to the head Violent shakes or whipping back and forth Oxygen deprivation (less common in car accidents) Cuts or lacerations from contact with sharp objects. Some traumatic brain injuries will heal with time. Others will leave a victim with long-term complications. This may affect cognition, memory, learning, sensation, speech, and emotions. Serious Injuries to Extremities A person may also suffer serious injuries to their extremities as a result of a car accident. Soft tissues injuries, fracture injuries, and amputation injuries can all be very serious, and may permanently impair a person’s mobility. An injury to an extremity may also cause permanent nerve damage, weakening or paralyzing the affected part of the body. Back Injuries One of the most common types of car crashes is to the rear of your vehicle. Rear end car accidents may shake you backward and forwards. This pushes your body against the seat and seatbelt and can injure your back. This forceful movement may cause disc bulges and protrusion to your spinal column. If the bulges and protrusions are too severe for physical therapy, the remedy may be epidural injections or surgery. Psychological Injuries Car accident victims are often very seriously injured, but they may also be psychologically injured too. Psychological injuries can be very challenging to live with. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder can all be as limiting as physical injuries. Our Attorneys Are Here To Help You Seek Compensation A serious injury from a car accident can change your life. We know that nothing can give you back what you have lost. Hopefully, receiving a fair compensation amount can you with a small portion of what you need to improve your future. At the offices of The Beliz Law Firm, our Long Beach car accident attorneys care about you. You can schedule a consultation with our law firm, free of charge, by sending us a message.

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Attorney Portrait Car Accidents

Car Accident Injury Symptoms You May Overlook

| Read Time: 2 minutes

Car accidents can lead to traumatic injuries that are easy to detect. For example, a broken leg is not only incredibly painful but may even be evident to the naked eye. Similarly, a puncture wound or laceration is both painful to the victim and obvious for others to see. But not all car accident injuries have such evident symptoms. In fact, there are a handful of car accident injury symptoms that you might overlook. Consider the following injuries and their symptoms, and if you are in a car accident, be sure to see a medical professional as soon as possible. Concussions Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be difficult to diagnose. This is true because they are not painful to the victim. The symptoms can appear mild to both the victim and others. If you or someone you love has any of the following systems following a car accident, it could be a concussion or closed head injury: Headache; Ringing in the ears (tinnitus); Dizziness; Fatigue; Confusion; Nausea or vomiting; Slurred speech; Sensitivity to light; Depression; Crying; Trouble sleeping; and More – you can read a full list of symptoms at MayoClinic.org . Whiplash and Other Soft Tissue Injuries Soft tissue injuries may have few symptoms, especially when they first occur. It may take a day or two for the pain and discomfort of a whiplash injury to really set in. Some signs of a soft tissue injury may demand medical attention, but a car accident victim may dismiss as insignificant, include: Swelling; Bruising; Discoloration of skin at injury site; Muscle spasms; Muscle weakness; Limited mobility; and Pain. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Emotional Disorders If you develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another emotional disorder following a car accident, it can be easy to dismiss the systems of these as “normal” or as “unrelated” to the crash. For example, feeling stressed about the claims process is standard. Being afraid to ever enter a car again, is not. And scary flashbacks are certainly not normal. You may dismiss symptoms like avoiding people or places, depression, lack of desire to do things you used to love, difficulty sleeping, feeling jumping, and being easily agitated. However, these symptoms could be indicative of something more serious that you should seek professional help for. Contact Our Long Beach Car Accident Attorneys After a Crash After a car crash in Long Beach or elsewhere, the most important thing that you should do is seek medical care. If you develop symptoms of a concussion, a soft tissue injury, or a psychological injury, do not hesitate to meet with a medical professional. Not all injuries are acute, traumatic, and obvious. Some injuries take the time to show themselves, but they are no less serious. At the offices of The Beliz Law Firm, our experienced Long Beach car accident attorneys want to help you recover the compensation award you deserve for all of your injuries. To learn more, contact us for a free consultation today.

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