Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

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Neck Fractures Resulting From a St. Louis Car Accident

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A cervical spine injury is a serious injury that can result from a car accident. These injuries are often serious and life-altering.

Although muscles protect the neck, the neck can become easily damaged in a high-speed car accident. For example, a person can get thrown forward, straight into a stationary object such as an airbag or steering wheel. The impact will cause the neck to snap forward and backward at a fast speed, which can damage the spinal cord. The cervical spine can also get dislocated (subluxation) or fractured if someone falls head-first to the ground.

woman with neck fracture after a car accident

Causes of Cervical Spine Injuries

Symptoms and Treatment

An individual may experience a spinal shock immediately after a car accident or may not feel anything below the neck. While this situation is temporary in most cases, some people may experience complete paralysis from the neck down for the rest of their lives. The following are other symptoms of a neck injury:

  • headaches
  • weakness and numbness in the upper extremities

There are numerous medical procedures available for the treatment of spinal injuries of the neck. However, the first step to deal with neck injuries such as subluxation or fracture is using a cervical collar. A cervical collar stabilizes the neck and prevents any further damage. The next line of treatment for any spinal swelling is decompressing the spinal cord. Steroids may also be given to help the process. However, surgery may be necessary for a fracture to the vertebrae. Surgery would involve fusing the broken parts.

Prognosis and Future Outlook

The prognosis for a cervical spine injury depends on the severity of the injury. Individuals with fractured vertebrae without any spinal cord injuries have a good chance of recovering from the injury. However, some patients may also develop arthritis and may have limited movement of the neck.

Recovery from a spinal cord injury is unpredictable. The recovery from subluxation and fracture is usually slow. Some people may regain the use of their limbs, but the weakness and numbness in areas below the neck may persist. Some people may have to bear the pain of lifelong paralysis. These individuals usually experience numerous medical problems such as infections, bowel problems, respiratory and heart problems.

How Will My Car Accident Medical Expenses Be Paid?

Subluxation or fracture of the neck may require prolonged treatment and therapy. If you have suffered a subluxation or fracture of the neck in a car accident, be prepared to deal with huge medical expenses and an extended time off work. It is important to claim compensation for all losses you have suffered in the accident. Contact a car accident lawyer at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. by calling (314) 361-4242 and scheduling a free consultation.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Dental Injuries After a St. Louis Car Accident

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Dental injuries resulting from a car accident can be very costly to treat, and their impact may be felt for years.

When you think of car accident injuries, dental injuries probably aren’t the first thing that pops into your mind. However, dental injuries rank among the most common injuries that one can suffer after a car crash. These injuries can be incredibly costly to treat, and their impact can be felt for years.

st. louis woman with dental injuries

Common Dental Injuries: Direct and Indirect Injuries

Dental injuries can be categorized into two types: direct and indirect injuries. For example, if you were speeding and an object hits your mouth during the accident, you might suffer a direct dental injury. On the other hand, if your mouth was open, and the impact of the accident caused it to close, your lower teeth may be knocked by your upper teeth, causing an indirect dental injury. 

Common Types of Dental Injuries

Here are common dental injuries you might suffer after an auto collision.

  • Fractured teeth: This is one of the most common dental injuries. It can take the form of fractured teeth’ enamel, pulp, or dentin. This injury often results in sensitivity or tenderness to the fractured part.
  • Tooth luxation: Were you in an accident, and now your tooth is displaced in a manner that, when touched, moves in all directions? You could have suffered tooth luxation. This occurs when the ligaments that hold your tooth in place are disrupted. Immediate dental care will help place your tooth back to its initial position and fix other hidden injuries.
  • Avulsed tooth: This occurs when your tooth is knocked out of its socket. You need to seek dental care immediately to re-implant the affected tooth before it dies.

Dental injuries can be mild or severe. The severity of a dental injury typically depends on the amount of force present during an accident. 

How to Get Compensation for Dental Injury After a Car Accident

The insurance company will not compensate you for your dental injuries unless you provide concrete proof of the injuries. One of the best ways to do this is through an x-ray. An X-ray will go a long way in showing the extent of the injury and treatment required. Also, ensure you safely keep all the dental care records, including surgery and implant documents.

Some of the damages you may be entitled to in your dental injury case include medical bills and lost wages. You could also get compensation for pain and suffering if your dental injury alters your look or eating habits. 

If you have been injured in a car accident it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced attorney. They can help you gather relevant evidence, interpret the laws for you, protect your rights and interests and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Any injury suffered after an auto crash can have a lasting impact on the victim’s health, finances, and life. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you are generally entitled to compensation for your losses. Our St. Louis car accident attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of injury victims in and around St. Louis, Missouri. Give us a call 24/7 for a FREE case evaluation.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

3 Things You Should Avoid Saying After a Car Accident

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What you say after a car accident has the potential to jeopardize your claim, even if you weren’t at fault for the accident.

Getting involved in a car accident can be pretty frightening and traumatizing. Car accidents happen in the blink of an eye; one moment, you’re cruising smoothly on the highway, the next moment, you may wake up on a hospital bed. If you’re fortunate enough to be conscious, it’s likely hard to think straight with so much going on around you. If you’re not careful, you might unknowingly say something that could ruin your chances of receiving fair compensation.

This article will highlight a couple of things you should never say after a car crash. That’s because saying these things could jeopardize your claim, even if you aren’t at fault for the accident.

aftermath of st. louis car accident

Quick Reminder: Missouri Is an At-Fault State 

It’s important to keep in mind that Missouri is an at-fault state. This means that the at-fault party must pay for all the injuries and damages resulting from the accident. 

Saying something that might be construed as an admission of liability will not only jeopardize your ability to get reimbursement for injuries sustained, you’ll also be held responsible for the other parties’ injuries and damages.

What You Shouldn’t Say After an Accident

With that out of the way, let’s look at a couple of things you shouldn’t say after a car accident.

“I’m Sorry“

Apologizing seems like the responsible thing to do after an accident. However, in an accident, saying “I’m sorry” can easily be interpreted to mean, “I’m the one to blame, so please forgive me for my actions.” Regardless of your pure intentions, most insurers interpret “I’m sorry” as admitting fault, so do your best to resist the urge to apologize even when under pressure.

“That Was My Fault” or “My Bad“

Saying the accident was your fault is a direct admission of liability. Understandably your mind might be whirring after an accident, but never, under any circumstances, explicitly admit fault.

Saying that it was your fault isn’t the only phrase that admits fault; other admissions of fault include saying:

  • “My bad.”
  • “You came out of nowhere.”
  • “I didn’t see you.”
  • “It was too foggy.”

“I’m Not Hurt“

Never say you’re okay or not hurt, even if there is no pain or visible injuries. Keep in mind; some injuries like whiplash or concussions take a few days or weeks to surface. Saying you’re not hurt could ruin your chances of getting compensation for any delayed injuries. 

Let Your Attorney Do The Talking

It’s easy to say the wrong things in the commotion that follows after an accident. However, even in your dazed state, avoid uttering the words discussed above. An even better alternative is to keep quiet and let an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney do the talking for you. 

Give the Hoffman Law Firm a call today if you need professional legal representation after an auto accident.

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Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident T Bone?

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While there is usually one driver at fault, there are times when both drivers involved share fault for a t bone car accident.

Most T-bone crashes occur at intersections when a driver fails to heed a stop sign/red light. T-bone crashes are often complicated affairs and can, at times, be very challenging to prove liability. Below, we’ll look at how T-bone crashes occur and how liability is determined.

car that has been t boned in an accident

How Do T-Bone Accidents Happen?

As mentioned above, T-bone accidents usually happen at intersections, possibly because of intentional or unintentional running a stop sign or red light. However, this is not the only cause of T-bone collisions. Poor judgment, drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, and poor road conditions can also lead to a T-bone collision.

Although rare, T-bone accidents can also happen on highways and in parking lots. A driver can lose control and skid sideways on highways, causing an oncoming vehicle to crash into it. One driver might be reversing out of a parking spot in parking lots, and another car crashes into its side.

How to Determine Liability in T- Bone Collisions

The problem with T-bone collisions is that it’s not that easy to tell who’s at fault. In fact, there are multiple scenarios where more than one party may be at fault for the accident. The most common parties responsible for T-bone accidents include:

One of the Drivers Involved in the Accident

In some instances, the drivers involved might share fault, and it’s generally up to the drivers’ attorneys to argue who had the right of way. Regardless of the situation, liability almost always leads back to a single driver. So the first thing an attorney will look at is who was involved in the T-bone crash. Next, an attorney will examine the circumstances leading to the accident and draw logical conclusions that trace back to the driver at fault.

A Third-Party Driver

In some instances, the driver at fault may sidestep the entire collision and drive off unscathed. For instance, a motorist may make an improper turn and make an oncoming vehicle swerve and hit another vehicle. In such a situation, the motorist who offsets the chain of events is generally to blame for the T-bone accident.

Other potentially at-fault parties include the local government, the road engineer, the vehicle manufacturer, or pedestrians.

Proving Liability

Proving liability in a T-bone accident is often not easy. You’ll benefit greatly from the help of a car accident attorney to gather strong evidence. Your attorney will then use the evidence to point fault at the other driver or prove that most of the liability falls on the other driver.

St. Louis T Bone Car Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in a St. Louis t bone car accident, get in touch with the experienced St. Louis car accident attorneys at The Hoffmann Law Firm for a FREE case evaluation.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Could Some “Car Safety Features” Actually Be Hazards?

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While most would like to think of these as a positive development, some recent reports suggest that some safety features fail to deliver.

Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence on Missouri roads, and every year, thousands of people get injured and killed due to the negligence of other drivers. While there is no sure way to prevent all accidents, certain safety features can prevent certain types of accidents and help avoid car accident injuries. With technological advancements, more and more safety features are being added to cars, and modern cars are generally much safer than cars that are a decade old.

high tech car safety features

It seems that each new model year brings cars with additional safety features and more technological updates. While most would like to think of these as a positive development, some recent reports suggest that some safety features fail to deliver desired effects.

What exactly is the problem?

At least 20 percent of the new car owners have not used 16 of the 33 technology features available in their cars. In its first Driver Interactive Vehicle Experience Report, J.D. Power revealed that some of the technology features that the car owners were not using were safety features. It was found that around 35 percent of the drivers admitted to having never used the automatic parking feature.

The study found that if the driver failed to use the safety technology in the first 30 days of purchase, it is likely that they never will. Considering this, the researchers recommend that dealerships play an essential role by explaining the technology features better to the new car owners.

Another survey was conducted by the University of Iowa in which it was revealed that a large percentage of drivers are not sure of how at least some of the safety features in their car work. As seen in the J.D. Power study, a significant reason for this confusion and uncertainty is the lack of understanding. This can be improved by better education of car buyers by dealerships.

In other states, attempts are being made to educate car owners about the safety features in their cars. The National Safety Council, Department of Transportation, and the University of Iowa have recently started educating drivers on how safety technology works. The idea is to clear the confusion among drivers and stop them from using their safety features effectively. This can help to bring down car accident injuries and fatalities.

If you think you are uncertain about how certain safety features in your car work, we suggest you speak to the car dealer or your mechanic. You can find ample resources to help you acquaint yourself with various safety features in your car.

St. Louis Car Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in a St. Louis car accident, call (314) 361-4242 to discuss your claim with an experienced accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. free of charge.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Rear End Collision Lawyer: Common Causes and How to Determine Fault

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Let’s consider several causes of rear end collisions and how negligence in rear end collisions is generally determined in Missouri.

According to data gathered by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 1.7 million rear-end-related crashes are reported annually – accounting for 29% of all auto crashes. The report also indicates that, on average, 1,700 people lose their lives in these crashes, and an additional 500,000 suffer severe injuries.

Let’s consider several causes of rear end collisions and how negligence in rear end collisions is generally determined in Missouri.

What Causes Rear End Collisions?

Like accidents of any type, rear-end-related accidents often occur when motorists fail to follow basic traffic laws. Here are several leading causes:

  • Speeding: When a driver speeds or makes frequent and sudden changes in speed, they can lose control of their vehicle and rear-end into other cars that are proceeding with caution.
  • Distracted driving: This is another key risk factor in rear-end collisions. When a driver sends a text message, talks on the phone, or uses GPS, their attention will be off the road. And they may not notice when the leading vehicle slows down or stops suddenly. Even if they do notice, they usually do not have enough time to react.
  • Mechanical problems: When a driver is driving an improperly maintained vehicle, a car wreck is likely. Any mechanical problem can make it impossible for a car to slow down and stop in time.
  • Poor weather conditions: When it’s raining, snowing, or foggy, the driver may not be able to see sudden movements of the car in front of them, and this can lead to a rear-end wreck.

Common Injuries in Rear End Collisions

The impact of a rear end wreck can cause severe injuries, such as:

How Is Fault in Rear End Collisions Determined in Missouri?

Generally, the rear driver is held liable for the rear end wreck. Under Missouri laws, drivers must keep a safe distance when following other vehicles on the road. Failure to do so is considered negligence. That said, there are some situations where the rear driver may not be at fault.

The rear driver may not be liable if:

  • If the lead driver reverses into the back car
  • If the brake lights of the lead driver are faulty, failing to caution the rear driver
  • If the lead driver has a tire blow-out and fails to signal the following vehicle

Proving Negligence

To receive payment from the other driver’s insurance, you will be required to prove that the other driver’s actions led to the rear end collision. Unfortunately, proving negligence is not as easy as you may think. It’s highly recommended to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible so they can help you collect evidence that will enable you to paint a clear picture of how the crash happened and prove negligence.

Rear End Collision Lawyer St. Louis

If you have been seriously hurt in a St. Louis rear-end accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages from the negligent party. Our highly experienced rear end collision attorneys at the Hoffman law firm can help you identify the negligent party and gather evidence to prove your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242