Whiplash St. Louis - Whiplash Injury - Car Accident

You are here: Home / Archives for Blog

Blog

Broken Neck After a St. Louis Car Accident

by

A broken neck is one of the most severe injuries one can suffer from in a car accident.

The neck bones are part of your spine and connect your head to it. A broken neck is a fracture of one of those vertebrae in the neck. A broken neck can have huge consequences on your life and change it forever. 

st. louis woman with a broken neck

How Can You Break Your Neck in a Car Accident?

Car accidents involve tremendous forces, even if the speed of the vehicles is moderate. Unfortunately, wearing your seat belt isn’t a guarantee that you won’t get hurt. In fact, you can suffer from injuries even with all the car’s safety devices in place. 

While neck fractures are not amongst the most common injuries suffered by car accident victims, they can happen in more serious scenarios. This is the reason why bystanders should never move a car accident victim until the paramedics arrive, except when their life is in immediate danger. 

Is There Spinal Cord Damage?

One of the most important factors in determining how serious a broken neck might be is whether the spinal cord was damaged or not. The spinal cord, together with the brain, represents the central nervous system. 

If you only suffered from broken bones in your neck, but your spinal cord is intact, your recovery will generally require less intervention, and total recovery chances are higher. 

If the spinal cord was damaged when the bones of the neck broke, it may become a life-threatening injury or lead to permanent disability. If the spinal cord is affected in the neck area, the victim’s treatment may be lifelong management of their limitations.

Possible Consequences of a Broken Neck

Here are some of the possible impairments brought by a broken neck with spinal cord damage:

  • Fecal or urinary incontinence
  • Inability to move 
  • Inability to feed or breathe on their own
  • Skin lacerations and ulcers caused by immobility
  • Mental injuries like anxiety, depression, etc.

If the spinal cord is intact, recovery might mean wearing a neck brace for several weeks and even having surgery to realign the bones. Either way, you can be left with chronic pain and limited mobility for a long time. Neck fractures are often categorized as catastrophic injuries and should be treated very seriously.

Speak With an Experienced Lawyer

If you or a loved one have suffered from a broken neck injury, contact a St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible. You will benefit greatly from professional legal assistance to protect your rights and cover all the treatment plans, medical investigations, lost wages, and pain and suffering that come throughout the long recovery from such an injury. 

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

“Does My Uninsured Motorist Policy Cover an Out-of-State Accident?”

by

The stress of dealing with a car accident could increase significantly if the crash occurred while visiting another state.

You don’t know anyone, the surroundings are unfamiliar, and it can feel like you are on your own. If the other driver is also uninsured, you may go into panic mode, thinking that you will have to pay for your costs out-of-pocket.

Whether the accident took place in your hometown or out-of-state, it’s important to follow a few steps to ensure that you and those around you are safe. These steps will also help you when you file your claim. 

We know what you may be asking: if the accident happened out of state and the at-fault driver is uninsured, will my policy still cover me? 

The answer is generally yes. However, here’s what you will need to do. 

Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

Insurance companies generally extend their coverage to all areas within the United States. So, if you’ve bought insurance in Missouri (including uninsured motorist) but a driver hit you in Texas, then you will still generally be covered as stated in your policy. 

After you’ve ensured that everyone is safe from harm and have cleared your mind, you should contact your insurance company to tell them about the accident. Depending on the company’s policy, they could refer you to an adjuster from where the accident took place. 

If you need to spend time in the hospital in the area the accident occurred, your uninsured motorist will generally cover you as described in your policy. The coverage minimums are set at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

If you want to have your car repaired at a shop near the place where the accident took place, then the insurance company should be able to provide some assistance in this regard too. They can put you in contact with different towing companies and mechanics and help you fix your car even if you are hundreds of miles away from home. 

Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

As long as you have sufficient coverage, and your claim falls within your policy’s guidelines, you should be able to file a claim for an out-of-state accident. 

However, because insurance companies are for-profit organizations, they will try to take advantage of any mistake to minimize your claim. 

Get in touch with an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney as soon as possible after an auto accident. They can tell you if the company is acting in bad faith and help you protect your legal rights moving forward.

When to See a Doctor After a Car Accident

by

Because adrenaline can mask pain and serious conditions, it’s a good idea to see a doctor after a car accident, even if you feel fine.

A moving vehicle has an incredible amount of kinetic and momentum force. When a crash occurs, all this force needs to be absorbed, often leading to extensive damage and serious injuries. 

st. louis doctor after a car accident

Some car accidents are so destructive that emergency medical attention is required at the scene. In many cases, injuries are minor, or the victim may feel fine and decide that a visit to the doctor is not necessary. This assumption is often wrong.

When people face a dangerous situation, adrenaline will flood their bloodstream. This hormone will elevate their heartbeats, dilate their pupils, and make them sweat more. It will also mask pain as adrenaline’s purpose is to prepare you to escape a dangerous situation. That’s why adrenaline is also called the “fight or flight” hormone. 

Because adrenaline can mask pain and serious conditions, it’s a good idea to see a doctor after a car accident, even if you feel fine.

But, when exactly should you see a doctor after a car crash? 

How Soon Should You Go to the Doctor After a Car Accident?

The short answer is as soon as possible. 

Depending on your injuries’ severity, you may have to see a doctor immediately after the accident by going to the emergency room. The doctors there may refer you to specialists that can treat your condition. If your injuries are not that severe, you can give yourself a bit more time and visit the doctor the next day. 

Don’t wait too long until you schedule your appointment, though. The insurance company might use this against you in the claim and argue that your injuries are not that severe since you waited this long to seek medical assistance. 

What You Do After the Doctor’s Visit Matters Too

Be honest with your doctor during your visit and try to explain as accurately as possible what type of pain or discomfort you are experiencing. Don’t exaggerate your suffering, but don’t undermine it either, as the medical report will play a critical role in your compensation claim.

If you aren’t in any pain, explain to your doctor that you’ve been in a car crash and try to describe how the accident occurred. Your doctor will know what to look for to ensure you are ok. 

Follow the doctor’s recommendations to the letter. Failure to do so will give the insurance company a reason to reduce your claim or even deny it. 

You should also keep a copy of all your medical records as your lawyer will use it as evidence to build your case. 

Get in Touch with an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer ASAP

If you have been injured in a car accident, get in touch with an experienced St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you get fair compensation for your case.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Can PTSD Be Caused by a Car Accident?

by

Ignoring worrying signs and changes in your emotional state can affect your life for years to come. 

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be more complicated than you expected. Besides suffering from property damage or personal injuries, you might be affected emotionally and mentally by such trauma. Many car accident victims have PTSD, a condition previously thought of being an exclusively military problem. 

The problem with PTSD is that its symptoms generally don’t appear right away. So, can you link it to your car accident and collect benefits? 

PTSD

What Is PTSD?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder triggered by a traumatic event that endangered the victim, putting them at risk of death or catastrophic injury. Symptoms of PTSD after such an event include: 

  • Re-living the event over and over
  • Avoiding triggers or situations that might be similar to the event
  • Emotional numbness and unresponsiveness
  • Physical manifestations like insomnia, irritability, mood changes, and so on 

It’s easy to understand how PTSD can dramatically affect one’s quality of life since it can be hard to control, and it’s so intense in its manifestations. It can also be hard to diagnose, especially if the victim needs some time to acknowledge the symptoms and connect them to the car accident.

Is It Difficult to Include PTSD in Your Car Accident Claim?

If you need compensation for your PTSD following a car accident, it’s crucial to provide evidence to support the diagnosis and its connection to the car accident. 

You should mention any emotional distress to the doctor you will see after the accident and follow their recommendation if they refer you to a specialist. Describe your symptoms to your doctors in detail and avoid exaggerating them or making them seem less than they are. 

Keeping a diary of your PTSD episodes is also very helpful, as it will prove how your life has been affected by the car accident. Avoid being too subjective in your diary entries and describe the signs you feel with accuracy. 

Based on such evidence, your St. Louis car accident attorney can make a case that your quality of life has been greatly diminished by PTSD and the other damages you have suffered. It might be included in the “pain and suffering” category or treated separately. What’s important to remember is that mental health is crucial and should undoubtedly be addressed by any victim. Ignoring worrying signs and changes in your emotional state can affect your life for years to come. 

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensated for Your PTSD

To ensure your claim will bring you fair compensation, speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who has dealt with PTSD cases before. They can guide you and build a strong case to support your claim, and you can start putting the ordeal behind you.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Understanding Your “Right to Sue” After a Car Accident

by

Sometimes negotiating with the insurance company does not lead to the desired result, leaving the victims with no choice but to take the claim further by suing.

Car accidents may create health issues and limitations to a person’s quality of life. They may also be preceded by stressful legal battles and negotiations with insurance companies when the victim demands their right to compensation. 

Generally, car accidents are settled outside of the courtroom. However, sometimes negotiating with the insurance company does not lead to the desired result, leaving the victims with no choice but to take the claim further by suing. 

When Can You Sue After a Car Accident?

A lawsuit is not something one should jump to quickly. You should generally only use this right when you have exhausted other options. Here are some scenarios that might lead to a lawsuit after a car accident. 

The Other Driver is Uninsured

Suppose you were in a car accident with an uninsured motorist. In that case, it will not be possible for you to collect compensation from their insurance company since they do not have coverage.

In the state of Missouri, it is mandatory to carry an uninsured motorist coverage policy. Still, it might not cover all your damages if your injuries are serious or property damage is substantial. 

To get the difference left after making a claim to your own insurance company, you can sue the other driver for damages. They would have to pay you from their own pocket, so you might not get the amount you need fast. 

The Insurance Company Denies Your Claim or Offers Too Little

In other cases, the insurance company you make a claim to will fight back. Many victims are denied their claim or offered an amount lower than what they should receive. Insurance companies are expected to negotiate towards a lower amount to minimize their costs, but acting in bad faith is against the law and gives you the right to sue.

Statute of Limitation on Your Right to Sue

A crucial thing you need to have in mind if you decide to sue is that you have a limited amount of time to do it. 

Some exceptions do apply. In some cases, injuries or complications from injuries show up much later than the accident itself. Suppose you have a strong case to prove that the accident did, indeed, cause delayed health issues. In that case, you can be excepted from the statute of limitation rule, but it happens very rarely. 

Get in Touch with a Lawyer

If you believe that suing the other driver, their insurance company, or any other party, is needed, it’s a good idea to get in touch with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer. They can tell you if your case is worth pursuing and can help you build a strong case that will get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain, and suffering.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

9 Things to Do After a St. Louis Uber Car Accident

by

Here are some general steps to take if you are ever involved in an automobile accident with a St. Louis Uber driver.

Where car accidents are concerned, Missouri is a comparative fault state. This means that if all parties involved are partially responsible for the incident, then they are all liable for damages. Liability is based on the extent of each party’s fault.

This law generally applies to ridesharing car accidents as well. Therefore, if an Uber driver is at-fault, then his insurance company will generally be liable to shoulder the damages. Fortunately, the company pitches in if its driver is under-insured. If you have been involved in a St. Louis uber accident it’s a very good idea to discuss the specifics of your claim with a knowledgeable Uber accident lawyer.

st. louis woman after uber accident

What to Do After a Car Accident Involving an Uber Driver

In many ways, Uber drivers are just like every other driver. As such, they are subject to the same human errors that lead to car accidents. Sometimes, they are even more vulnerable to making mistakes if ridesharing is their part-time job in addition to a full-time job. In an effort to make more money they may even ignore certain traffic rules like speed limits.

These are the steps to take if you are ever involved in an automobile accident with an Uber driver:

1. Turn off your car engine until you establish the extent of damage your vehicle sustained. If there is a gas leak, a running engine can spark a fire.

2. Call the police. As a precautionary measure, store emergency numbers on your cell phone. Don’t wait until an accident like this happens.

3. Survey the scene for property damage and injuries. When either or both are present, exchange the following information with the other driver: Name, address, driver’s license number, vehicle identification numbers, insurance company name, and insurance policy number. Provide all of these to the police when they arrive.

4. Do not admit fault, but maintain politeness towards the other driver.

5. If possible, speak with eyewitnesses and get their contact information.

6. Take pictures of the scene from as many angles as possible.

7. Write a summary of the incident, including pertinent details like street names, estimated times, and traffic flow.

8. Call your insurance company or agent immediately to report the accident.

9. Speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Filing a Claim

If you are not responsible for the accident, you don’t need to file a claim with your own insurer. All damages, including medical bills if you are injured and car repair or replacement, should be paid for by the other driver’s insurer.

Therefore, your next step would be to file a claim with the insurance company. If you did your due diligence in collecting all the information enumerated above and work with an experienced attorney, you have a good chance of receiving the compensation you are entitled to.

If you sustained serious injury and vehicular damage, you should be compensated for all the expenses entailed. However, insurance companies are notorious for playing hardball. Again, this is another reason working with an attorney is the course of wisdom.

Our experienced Uber accident lawyers are ready and available to help you get the amount you deserve. We offer a free consultation so you can decide how to proceed.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242