California Car Crash Attorneys

California Car Crash Statistics

Sadly, far too many motor vehicle accidents occur each day across the nation and in California. According to Traffic Safety Facts released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were an estimated 6.3 million police-reported crashes last year alone. Because of these accidents, 2.44 million individuals were injured on U.S. roads.

Many of which were attributed to driver negligence. Consider these other concerning statistics about motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. and California:

• 35,092 people lost their lives nationwide last year alone due to vehicular accidents.
• Almost half (48 percent) of all fatally injured vehicle occupants weren’t wearing their seatbelts at the time of their accident (2015).
• 29 percent of all traffic deaths in the U.S. involve alcohol (2015).
• In California, 4,382 drivers were involved in fatal accidents during 2015.
• 955 of California’s deadly crashes happened while a driver was speeding.
• 914 of California’s deadly crashes happened while the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

Common Car Crash Injuries

Car wrecks are among the most common causes of personal injury in the U.S. More than 5.6 million motor vehicle collisions happened in the U. S. in 2012 alone, causing more than 30,000 fatalities and 1.6 million serious injuries.

It’s well-known that automobile manufacturers continue to implement life-saving features in new vehicles. However, injuries resulting from vehicle accidents continue to be a serious risk to motorists on American roadways. Here are a few of the most frequent automobile injuries that occur:

Spinal Injuries

One of the most common neck/spine injuries in a car accident is called “whiplash.” When the collision’s impact causes someone’s head to be jerked forward and then backward or to the side, the velocity of this action frequently inflicts severe strain on the ligaments and muscles in the upper back and neck. Most whiplash injuries resolve with time; some can become disabling. Other soft tissue injuries in the upper back and neck can occur and cause disc herniation or skeletal trauma. Victims might need a lengthy recovery period, treatment through surgery, physical therapy, or long-term pain management. Severe spinal injuries are one of the most expensive car accident injuries to treat. If there is extensive trauma to the spine, partial or total paralysis and even death can result.

Some spinal cord injuries can never be fully corrected and leave victims with permanent disabilities. People with spinal injuries of this magnitude may not be able to ever return to work, care for themselves, or engage in everyday living activities.

Brain & Head Trauma

In the U.S., over 17 percent of all traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by car accidents. TBIs can result when a quick movement of the skull causes the brain to hit the hard surface inside the skull. The brain isn’t freely floating inside the skull. It’s cushioned by fluid and supported by protective membranes that limit movement, though a strong impact can still cause it to shift and collide with the skull.

If the brain impacts the inside of the skull hard enough, severe and even fatal injuries can occur. A TBI can cause swelling, bruising, bleeding of the brain, and other concerning conditions, such as a skull fracture. Sometimes a TBI will cause immediate loss of consciousness and other noticeable symptoms.

Other times, they can be quite challenging to diagnose. Some victims may not have symptoms until much later after the accident. However, a TBI requires emergency medical care as soon as possible. Many patients also require extensive follow-up care and diagnostics, such as a CT (Computerized Tomography) scan or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). These neurological injuries can cause extreme impairment to the victim’s mental functioning. In the most severe cases, they may require extensive or even lifetime rehabilitation.

Broken Bones

Arms and legs are especially susceptible to injuries in car accidents. Some require emergency medical care, surgery, and follow-up treatments. Bone fractures can lead to infections, the need for physical therapy, and surgical techniques to restore function. Severe breaks can result in the need to amputate the limb, leading to significant impairment and decreased quality of life. These victims will struggle to engage in everyday tasks and may even face difficulties in earning a living. Minor fractures, sprains, or spurs also frequently occur from automobile crashes. While these injuries aren’t usually difficult to treat, some may require extensive healing and rehabilitation to return to normal function in the affected area.

Facial Injuries

Facial injuries include minor bruises, scrapes, or cuts, but also more severe injuries, such as fractures, burns, deep lacerations, and jaw or dental damage. Lacerations, such as deep cuts, scrapes, or punctures into the underlying skin, are common even in minor motor vehicle accidents. The soft and vulnerable tissues of the face are especially susceptible to injury from impact with parts of the car’s interior, thrown debris such as personal items, or broken glass.

In severe cases, victims can sustain punctures from related injuries such as broken bones or other sharp objects. Facial bones are frequently damaged, ranging from cosmetic damage to debilitating injuries, for instance, a broken jaw. Depending on the extent of the damage, injured individuals might need reconstructive or cosmetic surgery to restore the normal function and appearance of their face. Some facial injuries, such as a broken nose, are quite simple to treat. Other intricate injuries, like a jaw dislocation, might need extended treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery time.

Psychological Injuries

No matter the extent of their physical injuries in a car accident, some victims will suffer one or more psychological conditions as a result of the accident. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common and frequently requires treatment from a mental health professional after a car accident. Those with PTSD often have severe distress, sometimes severe enough that years of treatment are needed to return to normal thought processes.

Other psychological injuries include anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. Sometimes these injuries can be due to the accident itself or because of the recovery. Psychological injuries are frequently difficult to treat.

The impacted individual may need therapy from a licensed professional, medication, and a lengthy recovery period before reaching their pre-accident mental state. Oftentimes, victims with psychological injuries can receive compensation for them. It’s advisable to discuss your psychological injuries with your California car crash attorneys to find out if compensation might be available for them.