Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

Injured in a Car Accident

The Impact a St. Louis Car Accident Can Have on Your Career and Future Earning Capacity

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A St. Louis car accident can significantly impact your career and future earning capacity. Call (314) 361-4242 for a free case evaluation.

Your career is not just a job, it’s a vital part of your life. It provides for you and your loved ones, allows you to achieve your goals and aspirations, and enables you to live comfortably. Unfortunately, a St. Louis car accident, even a seemingly minor one, can upend all these plans.

 Here are some of the ways a car accident can impact your career and future earning capacity.

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Loss of Income

After a car accident, you may need to lighten your duties, which could lead to fewer working hours. This means you’ll be earning less than you were making originally.  It also means missing out on opportunities for promotion and stability at work. You may even have to find a different job which will put you at a huge disadvantage in terms of pay rate since your previous experience may no longer be applicable or relevant.

Long-term Disabilities

Depending on the severity of the car accident, you may find yourself dealing with long-term disabilities. This could include a permanent injury or even a cognitive impairment preventing you from functioning normally. Unfortunately, this can keep you from working and leave you with no means to support yourself. On top of that, you may be considered ineligible to apply for certain jobs due to physical limitations further restricting your employment capabilities and earning power going forward.

Psychological After-Effects

In addition to physical injury and trauma, you may experience emotional consequences, including depression, anxiety, and stress. Such psychological effects can prevent you from undertaking challenging career opportunities or even leave you incapable of consistently performing at your ordinary high level. What’s more, the fear or panic of driving, which is common after a car accident, can prevent you from securing employment involving traveling or any other job requiring the use of a vehicle.

Missed Professional Opportunities

After a car accident, your priority will likely be on therapy and recovery, leaving little or no time to focus on work opportunities. As a result, you may miss out on promotions or other paths that could have resulted in better jobs and higher wages. Furthermore, your absence from work due to injury could allow the company to replace you with someone else; thus creating a long-term setback in your career prospects.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

As you can see, a car accident can have far-reaching effects on just about every area of your life – and your career is no exception. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer in silence – you can file an injury claim and recover some of the lost wages associated with the accident.

The experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers at The Hoffmann Law Firm are here to help. WE can work diligently to get you the compensation you’re entitled to so you can move forward with your life and focus on putting this unfortunate incident behind you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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How Airbags Can Cause Injuries in Car Accidents

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While the benefits of airbags far outweigh the risks, airbags can sometimes cause injuries in a car accident.

Airbags are designed to protect both drivers and passengers in the event of a car accident. However, airbags can sometimes cause injuries when they deploy in an accident.

The benefits of airbags, including a reduction in the number of deaths and injuries in car accidents, is well documented. However, it is important to remember that airbags are not foolproof and can, at times, cause injuries in an accident.

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airbags deployed in a car accident

How Airbags Work

In a nutshell, airbags are designed to deploy in the event of a collision, providing a cushion that protects passengers from being injured by the impact. Here’s a more detailed look at how airbags work.

Airbags are most commonly triggered by sensors that are mounted on the front and sides of the vehicle. These sensors detect when the vehicle has come to a sudden stop, and they send a signal to the airbag control module. This module then determines whether or not to deploy the airbags.

In some cases, the decision to deploy the airbags is based on the severity of the impact. For example, if the sensor detects a minor collision, the airbags may not deploy. However, if the sensor detects a more severe collision, such as one that results in a significant deceleration, the airbags will deploy.

Airbags are typically filled with nitrogen. When an airbag deploys, this gas is released into the bag, causing it to inflate rapidly. The inflation process is carefully controlled so that the bag doesn’t deploy too early or too late. In addition, the amount of inflation is also carefully regulated. If an airbag is deployed with too much force, it could cause injuries itself. Therefore, manufacturers have to strike a delicate balance between protecting passengers from being injured by an impact and protecting them from being injured by an airbag.

It’s also worth noting that airbags are designed to deploy only once, so after they have deployed, they need to be replaced.

Types of Airbags:

1. Driver’s Front Airbag

This is the airbag people generally think of when they picture an airbag. The driver’s front airbag is usually located in the center of the steering wheel and is typically designed to deploy in a frontal collision. The airbag helps protect the driver by providing a cushion between the driver and the steering wheel or dashboard.

2. Passenger’s Front Airbag

This is similar to the driver’s airbag but is located on the passenger side of the vehicle. The purpose of this airbag is to protect the passenger from being thrust forward and hitting the dashboard or windshield in a frontal collision.

3. Side Airbags

These are located in the door panels or seats and deploy during a side impact collision. They help protect the occupants from being hit by debris or hurled against the side of the vehicle.

4. Curtain Airbags

These are located along the sides of the vehicle’s roof and deploy during a rollover accident. They help protect the occupants from being ejected from the vehicle or hitting their heads on the roof or windows.

How Airbags Can Cause Car Accident Injuries

Airbags deploy at high speeds and reach high temperatures in the process. This can cause injuries such as burns and fractures. In some situations, it can lead to blunt force trauma to the chest, head, and neck, leading to severe injuries such as broken bones, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries.

Two groups of people are especially at risk of airbag injuries in a car accident: young children and the elderly. Due to their size and position in the vehicle, they may be extremely close to the airbag when it deploys, leading to severe injuries.

While airbags can be beneficial in protecting drivers and passengers, it is important to understand that they can also result in serious injuries such as burns, broken bones, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries. To minimize your risk, it is important to follow the instructions in your vehicle’s owner manual and ensure that all in the vehicle are seated properly and wearing their seatbelts correctly.

St. Louis Car Accident Injury Lawyer

While airbags can be lifesavers, they are never fool-proof, and there is always a risk of injuries. If you have been injured in a car accident, speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your legal right to compensation is protected.

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, we have been protecting the rights of injured car accident victims in St. Louis, MO. If you have been injured, call us 24/7 for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal rights after a car accident.

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Carpal Tunnel From a Car Accident

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A car accident can cause carpal tunnel by traumatizing the median nerve in several ways.

Can carpal tunnel be caused by a car accident? The answer is yes – carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be caused by a car accident. Here’s a detailed explanation of how this happens and what you can do if you develop this condition after an accident.

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car accident victim with carpal tunnel

How a Car Accident Can Cause Carpal Tunnel

To understand how a car accident can cause carpal tunnel, we must first understand what carpal tunnel is. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that develops when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the hand, becomes compressed. 

 A car accident can cause carpal tunnel by traumatizing the median nerve in several ways. First, the force of the impact can compress the nerve against the bones of the wrist. Second, the victim may grip the steering wheel tightly during the accident, which can compress the nerve. The victim may also place their hands in a dangerous position during the accident, which can stretch or tear the median nerve. 

These injuries can be tough on victims, negatively affecting their ability to carry on with their day-to-day activities. Even the simplest tasks, such as buttoning a shirt, opening a jar, or holding a cup, become difficult. And when it comes to working, carpal tunnel can make it difficult for people to type, use a computer, or do any sort of manual labor. As a result, carpal tunnel can lead to lost wages and even job loss. 

Proving That a Car Accident Caused Your Carpal Tunnel

Given the adverse consequences carpal tunnel can have on a person’s life, accident victims must take steps to ensure that they can recover full and fair compensation for their injuries. Here are key pieces of evidence that can be used to prove that a car accident caused carpal tunnel: 

Medical Evidence

Specifically, you’ll need a diagnosis from a doctor linking your carpal tunnel to the car accident. This can be in the form of a report or letter from your treating physician. Ideally, this document will specifically state that the car accident was the cause of your carpal tunnel.

However, even if the connection is not explicitly stated, medical records documenting your symptoms and treatment can still be used to support your claim. For example, if you develop carpal tunnel soon after the accident and your doctor prescribes physical therapy or surgery to treat the condition, these records can be used to show that there is a causal link between the accident and your injuries. 

Injury Diary/ Personal Notes

Keeping a diary of your symptoms and how they have affected your daily life can be very helpful in building your case. Make sure to include details such as when the symptoms started, how often they occur, and what activities make them worse. This type of evidence can be very persuasive to a judge or jury, as it provides a firsthand account of the pain and suffering you have experienced. If you have any photos or videos documenting your symptoms, be sure to include those as well. 

St. Louis Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Generally, these types of cases are tough to maneuver. If you have been injured in a car accident, you will benefit greatly from working closely with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer. At The Hoffman Law Firm, we have over 20 years of experience protecting the rights of injured car accident victims, as well as the knowledge and resources necessary to help you get the best possible outcome. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

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Avoiding a Road Rage Car Accident

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Learning how to stay calm behind the wheel and avoid road rage can help prevent car accidents and save lives.

Whether we’re stuck in traffic, dealing with aggressive drivers, or simply running late for an appointment, it can be too easy to let our emotions get the better of us when we’re behind the wheel. However, losing our cool behind the wheel can have serious consequences—not just for us but for other drivers on the road. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to stay calm behind the wheel and avoid road rage, no matter what the situation.

Here are some tips to help you stay calm behind the wheel.

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an angry driver throwing up their hand

Take It Slow

When we’re feeling stressed or anxious, it’s natural to want to speed up to reach our destination as quickly as possible. However, this is often a recipe for disaster, as speeding not only increases our chances of getting into an accident but also makes us more likely to receive a ticket. So instead of racing down the highway, try to take things slow and steady. Follow the speed limit, and you’ll get where you’re going eventually, while not putting yourself and others in danger in the process.

Consider Listening to Soothing Music

Music has a way of calming us down and helping us relax, so if you’re feeling frazzled behind the wheel, you may consider putting on soothing music. Just be sure to keep the volume at a reasonable level so that you can still hear what’s going on around you—you don’t want your music to become a distraction in and of itself!

Count

This may sound like something from elementary school, but counting can be helpful when trying to stay calm behind the wheel. Start by taking some deep breaths and then counting slowly from 1 to 10 or higher, if you need. Focusing on something like your breath or a simple number can help take your mind off of whatever is causing you stress and anxiety and allow you to focus on the task at hand—driving safely.

Pull Over to a Safe Location

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or panicked while driving, it may be best to pull over somewhere safe and take a break. Turn off your engine, close your eyes, and take deep breaths until you feel calmer. It may add a few minutes to your journey time, but it’s better than putting yourself and others at risk by trying to push through when you’re not in the right frame of mind.

Think Positive Thoughts

It may sound cheesy, but thinking positive thoughts can help reduce stress levels. So instead of dwelling on everything that could go wrong while driving, try thinking about something that makes you happy—perhaps an upcoming vacation or time spent with friends or family members. Focusing on positive thoughts can help take your mind off whatever is stressing you out and allow you to focus on driving safely instead. Of course, do not allow this to take your attention off the road.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Unfortunately, despite your best efforts to stay calm and focused while behind the wheel, you may still find yourself in a car accident that leaves you injured. If this happens, don’t hesitate to contact The Hoffman Law Firm for help. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers have over 20 years of experience fighting for the compensation our clients deserve, so they can focus on healing and getting back on their feet. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Amputation Due to a Car Accident

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Approximately 185,000 amputations occur each year in the United States.

car accident amputation

An amputation is the removal of a body extremity. Amputation may occur accidentally as a result of a trauma or may have to be done surgically. Body parts that commonly suffer these types of injuries include the toes, feet, legs, fingers, hands, and arms. If a limb is severely damaged due to trauma or suffers a life-threatening infection and cannot be saved, it may have to be surgically amputated. In serious accidents, a limb may be severed or torn off. This is known as amputation by trauma.

Compensation for Amputation Injuries

If someone is responsible for a car accident that causes an amputation, the victim may be entitled to recover compensation for all the losses suffered. The victim may claim the medical expenses and pain and suffering caused by the injury and amputation, but there are several other aspects of the claim that need due consideration. The victim may also be able to recover lost wages, future medical bills, loss of earning capacity, and other expenses, such as those related to artificial limbs or prosthetics.

Compensation for Lost Wages

A victim who suffers an amputation injury may need to take time off work to recover from the injury, or the victim may lose the ability to return to work. If the victim is able to return to work, he or she may have to take a wage cut or accept a job that involves less physical activity. In any situation, the victim may need to claim lost wages and possibly, for loss of earning capacity as well.

Compensation for Medical Expenses

A person who suffers an amputation injury may incur high medical costs for a long period of time. It is important to include in the claim all expenses related to the injury, including radiology, emergency room treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and prescription costs. In some cases, the victim may develop significant scarring and may need to undergo plastic surgery. The victim may also suffer serious neurological or psychological symptoms after the injury. A victim may experience depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem and require help from a counselor or psychologist. A St. Louis car accident attorney will take all these expenses into account to file a compensation claim.

Compensation for Prosthetics

In many cases of severe amputation, the victim has to use an artificial limb to restore the ability to perform daily activities. These prosthetics or assistive devices can be costly to purchase and maintain. So, including these costs in the compensation claim is essential. Amputation can completely change a person’s life. Using assistive devices and technologies or remodeling the home to allow the victim to function as normally as possible can be expensive. This money should be recovered from the party at fault. There are strict time limits for all personal injury claims, including those involving amputation injuries.

Speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your legal rights after a car accident.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Vascular Trauma in an Auto Accident

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Vascular Trauma is an injury to the blood vessels that can happen as a result of trauma such as an auto accident.

Auto accident victims who hit their head or chest on the steering wheel, dashboard, or window may find themselves experiencing pain or numbness in their extremities. These may be symptoms of vascular trauma, a serious condition that can lead to disability or even death if not treated promptly.

st. louis driver with vasular trauma after a car accident

What is Vascular Trauma?

Vascular Trauma is an injury to the blood vessels that can happen as a result of trauma such as an auto accident. It can be caused by blunt force trauma (like hitting your head on the steering wheel), lacerations (cuts), or puncture wounds (from glass or debris). Symptoms of Vascular Trauma include:

  • Bruising or discoloration of the skin
  • Pain or tenderness in the affected area
  • Swelling
  • Numbness or tingling
  • A reduced sensation in the affected area
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Difficulty moving the affected limb

Diagnosis

It’s worth noting that every vascular injury is different and requires a specific diagnosis depending on the individual case. That said, a vascular specialist can easily identify vascular trauma by physical examination alone. Sometimes, however, deeper testing may be required.

For example, an angiogram may be needed to visualize the vessels and assess for damage. Additionally, Duplex ultrasonography can be used to assess blood flow and detect any blockages.

Ultimately, the goal of diagnosis is to identify the extent of the injury and develop a treatment plan accordingly. With proper diagnosis, patients can expect to make a full recovery from even the most severe vascular trauma.

Treatments for Vascular Trauma

Once the diagnosis is complete, treatment can begin. Treatment for vascular trauma will vary depending on the severity of the injury and the individual patient. There are generally three treatment options for Vascular Trauma:

  • Surgical repair is often the first course of treatment for vascular injuries. The surgeon will make an incision in the skin and then sew the damaged vessel together. In some cases, a patch may be used to repair the vessel.
  • Endovascular treatment is less invasive than surgery and can be used to treat both arterial and venous injuries. A catheter is inserted into an artery or vein and then threaded to the injury site. A balloon is then inflated at the site of the injury to stop the flow of blood.
  • Fasciotomy is a surgical procedure that is used to relieve pressure on the nerves and blood vessels. It’s usually done when there is a risk of compartment syndrome.

If you think you may be suffering from Vascular Trauma, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Your doctor will be able to run tests to confirm the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. With early diagnosis and treatment, most people make a full recovery from Vascular Trauma.

Regardless of how you may feel after a car accident, it is always recommended to seek medical attention to ensure prompt treatment of any injuries

St. Louis Auto Accident Attorney

Vascular Trauma can be expensive to treat after an auto accident. To ensure your legal right to compensation from the at-fault party is protected, get in touch with an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7 to schedule a free case evaluation.

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