Brain Injuries from Car Crashes

The brain is involved in everything we think, everything we do, and everything we feel.  It acts as an information highway, delivering messages from the brain to different parts of your body.  When someone experiences a brain injury, however, the brain functions are disrupted.  What someone used to be able to perform with ease may now be more difficult or even impossible to carry out.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is sudden physical damage to the brain.  In TBIs, some force causes the brain to collide with the skull.  A coup or contracoup injury is a common injury among motor vehicle accident patients, and they are both considered TBIs.  A coup injury occurs when there is a sudden, violent stop that causes the brain to hit the side of the skull.  Countracoup injuries also occurs when there’s an unexpected stop that causes the brain to hit off one side of the skull, and then bounce off the other side of the skull.  Brain damage occurs in both cases because the brain rubs against the inner ridges of the skull.

When two or more large, heavy metal objects strike each other, the risk of brain injury is always a concern.  The interior of a car has many hard surfaces that can be deadly if your head hits any of them.  Coup or contracoup injuries can result from an individual’s head striking the interior door frame or seatbelt anchor, dashboard, or any other hard object within the interior of the car.  Contracoup injuries may also result in brain contusions, where the trauma causes bleeding into the brain.  A contusion is a bruise to the brain tissue.

The attorneys at York Law Firm know how serious brain injuries resulting form motor vehicle accidents can be.  We also realize the financial, emotional, and physical toll it can take on the injured person and his or her loved ones.  This is why we are so passionate about protecting the rights of an injured party.  Contact York Law Firm to find out how we can protect your legal claim and help you obtain just compensation.

York Law Corporation
Sacramento, California
www.yorklawcorp.com
Call today: (800) 939-1832
Local: (916) 643-2200

Motor Vehicle Accidents and their Resulting Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are one of the most serious and debilitating injuries a person can endure.  A spinal cord injury is any damage or trauma to the spine that results in either a temporary or permanent change in normal motor or sensory functioning.  They are generally caused by injury resulting in compression of the spinal cord.  According to the National Spinal cord Injury Association, 44 percent of all spinal cord injuries are caused by car accidents.  Additionally, approximately 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury are reported each year in the United States.

Spinal cord injuries from motor vehicle accidents can result in any of the following:

Paraplegia, or loss of voluntary motor function (also known as paralysis) of the lower body, including the legs and often internal organs below the waist.  Although the degree of paralysis can vary from mere impairment of leg movement to complete paralysis of legs, paraplegics have full use of their arms and hands.

Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia. Unlike paraplegics who lose motor function of their lower region, quadriplegics are unable to move both their upper and lower body (arms and legs).  The accurate term to describe quadriplegia is “tetraplegia,” although the term “quadriplegia” is commonly used.  Quadripilegia occurs when the person endures a spinal cord injury located to the top of the spine or backbone.  It typically starts at the upper body, usually at or around the shoulder area, and travels downward.  A quadriplegic may lack sensation in affected areas or lose the ability to control the affected body parts.

Bulging Discs. A bulging disc occurs when a disc bulges through a crevice in the spine when the disc shifts out of its normal position.  Bulging discs result in numbness, tingling in limbs, weakness and back or neck pain.  A disc bulge is often the first step toward a more serious problem known as a herniated disc.

Herniated Discs. A herniated disc, also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, occurs when the tissue that separates the vertebral bones of the spinal column ruptures.  The nucleus is at the center of the disc and absorbs shock from standing, walking, running, etc.  The outer ring of the disc, known as the annulus, holds the nucleus in place.  If the nucleus tissue in the center of the disc is placed under substantial pressure from a car accident, it can cause the annulus to rupture, resulting in numbness in limbs and neck and back pain.  Herniated discs often result in spine surgery.

Spinal cord injuries are serious and can lead to loss of some or all of an individual’s sensation and movement.

If the spinal cord appears to be compressed by a herniated disc, the surgeon may wish to operate on a patient immediately.  Surgery is most commonly performed on patients with incomplete spinal cord injury or with progressive neurological deterioration.  Surgery may also be necessary to stabilize the spine in the area of the spinal cord injury.  During a surgical procedure, metal rods and screws are attached to normal vertebrae and the vertebrae is fused together.

York Law Firm would like to help minimize your suffering.  While we can’t lessen your physical pain, we can help you recover your past and future medical care costs, as well as damages for your pain and suffering, the resulting physical limitations and emotional trauma.

York Law Corporation
Sacramento, California
www.yorklawcorp.com
Call today: (800) 939-1832
Local: (916) 643-2200

What to do after a Motor Vehicle Accident

You’ve just been involved in a motor vehicle accident.  What now?

Knowing what to do after an auto accident is important, and can mean the difference between recovery and no recovery.  You will likely be “shaken up,” maybe even unable to think.  Here are some tips on what to do.

Of course, if anyone is hurt, call 911.  Immediate medical attention after an injury can prevent it from getting worse.

Also, notify the police.  California requires that the police are notified of any collision before you leave the scene.  Make sure to ask the name of the officer at the scene and write it down as soon as you can for your personal records.

At the scene of the crash, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver’s license and license plate numbers from each vehicle.  If there are any witnesses, take down his or her name and phone number.  A witness will help corroborate your version of events should there be any disagreement on how the crash occurred and who is at fault.  If you can, use a camera to document the damage to your vehicle.  Then, make sure to file an accident report with your Department of Motor Vehicles.

Do not discuss any fault on your part.  If the other driver admits he or she was “in the wrong,” take a mental note of it and write it down a soon as possible.  You want to be freed from liability, and verbatim quotes of admission of fault from the other party can help bolster your case should there later be disagreement about fault.

Contact your insurance agent to notify your insurance company of the accident.  This must be done as soon as possible; failure to notify the insurance company within a reasonable time may result in denial of your claim.  Also, try not to interact with the other party’s insurance company.  No matter how nice or accommodating they may seem, it is their job to minimize your recovery.  It is best to steer clear of the opposing party’s insurance company altogether.

If you are injured by the accident and decide to file a car accident injury claim, find an experienced car accident injury attorney to help protect your legal claim.  An attorney can help you obtain damages for your past and future medical bills, emotional trauma, loss of future income, pain and suffering, and your resulting injuries.  Do not talk to the insurance adjuster – they do not have your best interests at heart.  Insurance adjusters seek to minimize your injuries and pay as little money on claims.

Lastly, make sure you file your claim within the statute of limitations.  The statute of limitation differs depending in the subject matter of your case.  The attorneys at York Law Firm can advise you on the applicable statute of limitations.

Car accident injury claims have complex legal issues that only an experienced personal injury attorney can handle.  The attorneys at York Law Firm have been successful in numerous car accident injury cases and will use all available resources to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

York Law Corporation
Sacramento, California
www.yorklawcorp.com
Call today: (800) 939-1832
Local: (916) 643-2200