Posts Tagged ‘Injuries’

Some Injuries Sustained in a Car Accident in Hialeah Can be Hard to Spot

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

If you have been in a car collision in Hialeah or any other community, there may be some obvious injuries. For example, you may sustain broken bones, burns, abrasions, and other injuries. In addition to these injuries, however, many victims of traffic accidents in Hialeah and other communities sustain injuries that are harder to detect. These injuries include:

1) Head injuries.
2) Soft tissue injuries.
3) Emotional injuries.

Head Injuries

Head injury patients in Hialeah and other communities do not always get the help they need because in some cases patients do not present any symptoms right away. Any time you are in a serious accident where your head may have struck a hard object, it is important to get an immediate medical evaluation. Concussions may not seem serious right away but may quickly become serious or even life-threatening with time, and delaying treatment can affect your ability to recover fully. In some cases, symptoms of a head injury may develop gradually and may be subtle. Symptoms can include:

• headaches
• loss of balance
• vision problems
• ringing in the ears
• problems with reasoning or concentrating
• anxiety
• irritability
• depression
• lethargy
• sleep disorders
• convulsions or seizures
• vomiting
• disorientation or confusion
• memory loss

If you have been in a traffic accident and notice any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical help at once.

Soft tissue injuries

One of the more common soft tissue injuries sustained in truck accidents in Hialeah and other communities is whiplash, or a soft tissue injury affecting the neck area. However, soft tissue injuries can affect neural pathway in all areas of the body. Like head injuries, soft tissue injuries may have subtle symptoms and may not produce any symptoms right away, making them hard to detect. Soft tissue injuries can also have a range of symptoms, including:

• reduced range of motion or mobility
• stiffness in shoulders or arms
• headaches
• slower reflexes
• dizziness
• muscle spasms
• weakness or numbness

If you have been in a car or pedestrian accident in Hialeah or any community and notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help. Chiropractic treatment or physical therapy can help address some of the symptoms of soft tissue injuries, but an accurate diagnosis is needed first.

Mental Trauma

Being in a traffic accident is a devastating experience and in some cases patients develop trauma after the accident. They may suffer from depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, personality changes, and other issues as a result of their accident and injuries. It is important to seek help if you have been in a car accident and find yourself upset or having difficulty returning to your normal life weeks or months after the event.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Pregnancy and Car Accident Injuries in Hollywood and Across Florida

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Pregnant women often worry about their safety while driving. There are multiple concerns that pregnant women in Hollywood can have:

1) The risks of being in a car accident in Hollywood are greater for pregnant women. Being in a car or truck accident in Hollywood at any time is devastating. However, for pregnant passengers, the risk of injury is greater. Women who are injured in a traffic accident in Hollywood risk miscarrying or suffering complications in their pregnant.

2) Cars are not built for pregnant passengers. Negotiating into a passenger seat while pregnant can be difficult. There may not be enough room to sit comfortably and maneuverability in the seat may be more difficult. In addition, seatbelts and seats may not easily accommodate a passenger or driver who is pregnant. Pregnant women will want to consult their car manual to find out how to adjust their seats and seat belts for maximum comfort and safety.

3) There is a risk with airbags and seatbelts. Pregnant women often worry that airbags or seatbelts could cause injury to a baby in the event of a collision. However, there may be some promising research if you are in a car accident in Hollywood. According to a study published the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, pregnant women who are wearing a seat belt have a greater chance of surviving a crash than women who do not wear a seat belt. Their babies also have a greater chance of survival. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other experts, babies have the best chance of survival if the mother survives, and wearing a seatbelt can greatly increase the chances of both the mother and child surviving an car collision. Doctors and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists emphasize that women should wear their seat belts a little differently. The lap belt should be fitted below the belly, low across the hip bones. In the event of a crash, this reduces the risk that the belt will dig into the stomach and cause injury. The study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology had less firm findings about airbags. In most of the cases researchers studies, when air bags were deployed the expectant mothers were more likely to suffer a condition where the placenta separated from the uterus. This complication increases the risk of fatal injury for both the child and the expectant mother. However, researchers concluded that these accidents were more serious and this – rather than the airbags themselves – contributed to fatal injury. Researchers concluded that airbags are in fact a way to help protect the life of both the mother and the child and should not be disabled in a car.

Drivers who are expecting a child should speak with their doctor about all the changes they will need to make in their lives. These changes can include altering the way they drive or get around.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Stationary Car Accidents and Injuries in Key Biscayne and Other Communities

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

Most car and truck accidents in Key Biscayne and other South Florida communities occur between two vehicles. Even single-vehicle traffic accidents in Key Biscayne and other communities are more common than stationary car accidents. However, just because a vehicle is not moving, it does not mean that injuries cannot occur. Each year, thousands of people suffer serious injuries in non-moving vehicles due to:

1) Rear-ending. Even if you are parked, you can easily be rear-ended by a vehicle that is traveling. Rear-end accidents involving stationary cars are especially common on residential streets and in parking lots. A distracted driver may not notice a parked car in time and may crash into it. In some cases, drivers mix up the gas pedal and brake pedal, so they careen into the car in front of them rather than stopping their car. These types of car accidents can easily lead to head injuries in Key Biscayne as well as spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, and other serious injuries. In many cases, in this type of accident the victim is simply not expecting to be in an accident and may not even be wearing their seatbelts at the time of impact. This can make injuries worse.

2) Leaving a child in the car. Unfortunately, each year small children, toddlers, and infants are seriously injured or killed because they are left alone in a car while their parents or caregivers run errands or simply forget to remove the child from the car. Leaving a child inside of a car is a serious issue, since even on a relatively mild day temperatures within a car can quickly escalate to dangerous levels and can suffocate a child and can even cause serious burn injuries. In Key Biscayne and across South Florida, very high temperatures can increase the odds that a child simply will not survive being left alone in the car. Rolling down the windows a little bit will not help protect the child. It is important that parents have systems or develop a habit for checking the rear seat of their car before leaving their car. While it seems unfathomable to some parents that they would forget their child, stressful jobs, distraction, and a hectic lifestyle can easily contribute to this problem.

3) Injuries related to car systems malfunctioning. In some cases, car systems can overheat or malfunction in some other way. This can mean that even if someone is sitting in a parked car and listening to the radio or waiting in their car, they could be injured. If a product defect in your car has caused a serious injury, you can contact a personal injury attorney in Key Biscayne or your community in order to inquire about launching a products liability claim in Key Biscayne or your South Florida city.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Risk Factors Leading to Car Accident Injuries in Miami and Across South Florida

Friday, March 8th, 2013

According to Bankrate Insurance, the risk factors that can contribute to car collisions and traffic-related injuries are:

1) Speed. According to Bankrate Insurance, one third of all fatal car accidents in 2010 involved speeding. In all cities, including Miami, car accidents involving speed are more likely to cause serious injury, including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and fatalities, simply due to the increased force of any crash involving high speeds.

2) Age. 16-year old drivers have higher car accident rates than drivers of any other age. Traffic collisions continue to be the leading cause of death for teenagers. In South Florida cities such as Miami, traffic accidents involving teen drivers are a serious problem, and experts agree that parents can help protect their younger drivers by setting rules and by insisting that new drivers get plenty of training and in-car experience.

3) Gender. In 2010, 70 percent of all people killed in car accidents were men.

4) Impairment. One fifth of all traffic deaths in 2010 were related to DUIs. That year, 10,228 Americans died due to drunk driving. Drunk driving accidents in Miami and across South Florida continue to be a serious tragedy and an entirely preventable type of accident.

5) Motorcycle accidents. In 2010, over 13% of all traffic fatalities involved motorcycles. That year, 4,309 Americans died in motorcycle accidents. This is double the number of motorcycle accident fatalities in 1997. In South Florida cities such as Miami, motorcycle accidents cause not only fatalities but also many spinal cord injuries and head injuries each year. Florida does not mandate helmets for motorcyclists, but experts agree that correct use of helmets is essential for preventing serious injury in an accident.

6) Seat belt use. In 2010, more than half of all young passengers killed in car accidents were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision that claimed their lives. With so many car manufacturers releasing advanced new safety systems, it is sometimes easy to forget that one of the most basic safety features of a car – the seatbelt – is also one of the most powerful. If you are in a car accident in Miami or any other community, a seat belt will keep you in place during the collision, reducing your risk of serious injuries such as head injuries.

7) Licensing. Close to 3% of drivers in the US are not licensed. These drivers are 3 times more likely to cause a fatal car accident when compared with licensed drivers. Since these drivers are also uninsured, if you are injured in a car collision with one of these motorists, it can be harder to collect compensation for your injuries. Some experts further believe that a number of hit and run accidents in Miami and South Florida are caused by unlicensed drivers who do not want to be found by police.

8) Distraction. Distracted driving causes 15 fatalities daily, on average. In 2011, 3,331 Americans were killed due to distracted driving.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Secondary Injuries Involving Power Lines Are More Common Than You May Think in Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale and Florida

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Car accidents cause serious injuries across South Florida. Each year, victims of car accidents are rushed to Fort Lauderdale and Florida emergency rooms with head injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, fractures, and other serious injuries. However, it is not just the accident and impact of the crash itself that can cause serious injuries. In some cases, a secondary cause can cause serious and even fatal injuries.

Some car accidents in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida, for example, involve not only another car but also utility poles. Downed power lines can seriously injure a driver attempting to leave their car. In some cases, victims of traffic accidents in Fort Lauderdale and across South Florida sustain serious burn injuries or are even electrocuted because of downed power lines.

The safest place is in your car

If you are in a car or truck accident in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in South Florida and the accident involves utility poles and downed power lines, the safest place for you to be is inside your car. If possible, remain in your vehicle and call 911 as well as the local power authority. Even if the downed power line is not close to your car, the area could be electrified and could harm you if you attempt to get out of your car or approach a car that has been in an accident near a downed power line. Verify with emergency dispatch and the power company that it is safe to get out of the car before you attempt to do so.


If you must leave your car after an accident, use caution

If you are in a traffic accident in Fort Lauderdale or South Florida involving a downed power line but cannot safely remain in your car, you can tuck your arms close to your body and try to leap free of your car. You can reduce the risk of electrocution if you try to avoid touching the car and the ground at the same time. However, it is best to call 911 first and try to get the power shut off before attempting this.

If you do leap from the car, experts suggest keeping your feet together and shuffling or hopping, avoiding placing one foot in front of the other or lifting one foot higher than the other. If one foot is placed in a higher voltage zone than the other, this could make your body a conduit for electricity and this can lead to serious injuries.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Recovering From Head Injuries After a Miramar Car Accident

Saturday, October 13th, 2012

Each year, Miramar car accidents cause serious head injuries. For Miramar head injury patients, the road to recovery can be long and difficult. These types of injuries often cause emotional upset, lost mobility, memory problems, cognitive issues, and other frightening symptoms. Head injuries are also a leading cause of fatalities in Miramar truck accidents and car accidents. When the head is crushed against or hits a hard surface, the soft jelly-like mass of the brain crashes against the inside of the skull, causing bruising and bleeding. In some instances, the injuries are so severe that the patient does not recover. If you have sustained a head injury after a Miramar traffic accident, you will want to aid your recovery by:

1) Keeping a journal of any symptoms you may have. In some cases, you may not notice symptoms of a head injury until you keep track of symptoms. If you do have a brain injury, keeping detailed notes of your symptoms can help your doctor with diagnosis and treatment. If you decide to file a legal claim in your case, your notes can help your attorney develop a strong case on your behalf.

2) Getting medical attention, even if you think that you do not have a head injury. One of the traumatic things about brain injuries is that in many cases patients do not realize that they have been injured until it is too late. Getting prompt medical treatment can literally save your life. A doctor can examine you to determine whether you have a concussion or another type of injury. If you have been in a Miramar traffic accident and have hit your head hard, consult with a doctor as soon as possible to get a thorough check-up, even if you have no symptoms or only mild symptoms.

3) Not signing documents from the insurance company until you have considered all your options. Insurance carriers want to settle cases quickly and inexpensively, but in general you will not immediately know the extent or costs of your injuries. Treating head injuries may require many months or even a lifetime of care, so it is important to consult with a qualified Miramar personal injury attorney to determine the value of your case. A qualified attorney can review the offer made by an insurance company and may also be able to pursue a fairer settlement on your behalf.

4) Getting copies of all your medical records. Copies of your medical records can help your Miramar personal injury attorney evaluate your case and can help you seek out a fair settlement that covers more of the costs of your injury.

5) Taking good care of yourself. After a head injury, it may be important to avoid playing sports or taking part in any activities where you may sustain a secondary head injury. Getting a concussion while you are already healing from a head injury can lead to life-threatening complications. Always consult with a qualified physician and follow their advice when recovering from a head injury.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Could Intentional Injuries Outnumber Injuries Caused by Miami Car Accidents?

Sunday, September 30th, 2012

A report published yesterday in the American Journal of Public Health reports that suicides across the country surpass even the number of car accident fatalities. According to the report, authored by epidemiology professor Ian Rockett of West Virginia University, in the past ten years falls and overdoses have increased in frequency while the number of car accidents overall has dropped.

According to Rockett’s research, suicides are undercounted, and there could be as many as 20% more suicides than officially listed. While car accident rates have gotten a great deal of attention, Rockett would like to see more attention paid to suicide prevention.

Rockett reached his conclusion by investigating injury death data available from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Looking at injury deaths from 2000 and 2009, Rockett determined that the top causes of unintentional fatalities during this time period were traffic accidents, poisoning, and falls. The top two causes of intentional deaths during the same time period were suicide and homicide. Between 2000 and 2009, according to the research, car accident fatalities declined 25%, while fatalities caused by poisoning increased 128% and fatalities from falls increased 71%. In the same time period, deaths caused by suicides increased 15%. The causes of death during this time period were easier to assess for men than for women.

According to researchers, stigma may be one reason why it is difficult to get more accurate data about suicides – and also why there are fewer programs available to help those who need it. Researchers feel that more cooperation needs to happen between public health sectors, doctors, the public, and legislators to help prevent suicide. More research also needs to be done to determine what more can be done to prevent suicides.

The good news is that now that it is clear there is a problem, more may be done to help prevent the frequency with which suicides occur. After all, steps have been taken to prevent Miami car accidents and accident rates have declined, according to statistics. Since the 1980s, more campaigns and publicity surrounding the dangers of Miami drunk driving have resulted in tougher legislation and special programs designed to reduce the instances of drunk driving. As a result, today drivers are acutely aware that drunk driving causes Miami traffic accidents and the most drivers take steps to drive responsibly. Hopefully, a similar attitude and approach can help society help more suicidal patients.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Proper Use of Child Safety Restraints Can Prevent Injuries in a Davie Car Accident

Saturday, September 29th, 2012

According to the NHTSA, car accidents are the leading cause of death among children between the ages of one and twelve. Children are especially vulnerable in a Davie car accident due to their small size. They are also less protected than adults, since most safety devices in cars are designed for adult passengers and drivers. To protect children from Davie head injuries, bone fractures, spinal cord trauma, and other injuries, it is important to use child safety restraints correctly. That means:

1) Buy the right child safety seat or booster. The right item will fit your car and child and is easy to use so that you will use it correctly each time you travel. If your child is an infant under one year of age and under 20 pounds, use a rear-facing convertible seat or an infant seat. Children between 20 and forty pounds should have a convertible or forward-facing seat. Children between 40 and 80 pounds should use a booster seat.

2) Avoid buying used child safety seats or boosters. You should get rid of a safety seat if it has been in an accident, and when you buy a used item you have no way of knowing whether it has been damaged in a collision. As well, safety seats are recalled from time to time and you do not want to buy a recalled model that has been found to be unsafe.

3) Seat children in the back until they are twelve years of age. The back seat is the safest spot for a child, since the front seat usually has side impact and front impact airbags that can cause serious injury to a child. In the event of a Davie traffic accident, a child sitting in the front seat can easily sustain a Davie head injury or suffocate by hitting the dashboard or the airbag. The safety devices in the front seat of a car are not intended for children.

4) Use a safety seat correctly. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them correctly. If you need help with installation, check the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s website. Some local fire departments and police departments also offer assistance with installation.

5) Be careful of rear side air bags. If your car has them, make sure any child safety seat you install is well away from them.

6) Use booster seats until your child can correctly wear a seatbelt. Your child can wear a seat belt when he or she is tall enough so that the shoulder strap fits across the shoulder and chest, not cutting into the neck. The lap belt should be across the thighs, not on the stomach.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

ATV Accident Highlights the Dangers of Miami Injuries Involving ATVs

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, two teens were seriously injured near Wellborn in early June, as a result of an ATV accident. Neither teen was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. The ATV was struck by an on-coming car as the ATV driver failed to yield to a stop sign.

This accident is one of many to occur across the country each year. According to experts, Miami traffic accidents involving ATVs are especially troubling since they often involve injuries to minors and children. These types of accidents often cause Miami brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other types of injuries, since ATVs have fewer protections than cars, which encompass passengers entirely with glass and metal. In a Miami car accident involving an ATV and a passenger car, the passengers in an ATV are likely to be seriously injured due to the impact of the collision and due to the fact that ATVs are prone to rollovers, which can cause even more serious injuries. According to experts, there are several things that can be done to help prevent these types of injuries and accidents:

1) Avoid allowing children on ATVs. While driving a car requires a license and driver training, ATVs have fewer rules, even though the injuries from accidents on these vehicles can be quite severe. Since ATVs have fewer rules, they are attractive to teens and children who may be too young for a license, but it is important to remember that these vehicles are not toys. Read the owner’s manual about safe operation and do not permit children and young teens to operate ATVs unsupervised.

2) Insist on helmets. Miami brain injuries are among the most common injuries in ATV accidents, and in many cases these accidents are preventable with the correct use of helmets. In most fatal ATV accidents, the victims were not wearing a helmet at the time of their accident.

3) Choose your ATV and routes carefully. Look for an ATV with the best safety features and the best safety track record possible. When choosing routes, avoid roadways. ATVs are not safe to share the road with much larger passenger vehicles. As well, avoid ungroomed and rough terrain, especially if you are just learning to ride your ATV. Although ATVs are designed for rougher terrains, they are subject to rollovers and uneven ground increases your risk of a rollover.

4) If you are injured in an ATV accident, speak with a Miami personal injury attorney. The cost of injuries after an ATV accident can be substantial and it can be challenging for victims to recover the fair compensation they may be entitled to under the law. An experienced attorney can investigate the accident and can help determine who the liable parties are, ensuring that you negotiate for fair compensation from a position of strength. If the accident was caused by poor design or a product defect, pursuing legal action can also help prevent other customers from being injured in the same way.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Florida is 18th in the US for Fatal Personal Injuries

Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

According to Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Florida ranks 18th in the country for fatal injuries. According to the two organizations, over 12 000 Florida residents each year die due to preventable personal injuries. For those under age 45 in the state, accidents and violent injuries are the leading fatalities.

The organizations’ findings also suggest that more money could be put towards preventing Miami personal injury. While accidental injury prevention gets very little funding, personal injuries cost the US over 0 billion in medical expenses and in reduced productivity. Accidental deaths cost Florida alone 8 million annually in medical costs.

In Florida alone, 67 out of 100 000 state residents die annually from preventable personal injuries, including Florida and Miami drunk driving accidents, Florida Miami slip and fall accidents, traffic accidents, and other preventable injuries. This is higher than the national average of 58 accidental deaths out of 100 000 US residents. Men also are overrepresented in accidental fatalities. Men account for two out of three accidental deaths.

Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation made ten suggestions for how states could help prevent accidental fatalities. These suggestions include adding a motorcycle helmet law, which could help prevent fatal brain injuries in Miami motorcycle accidents. Another suggestion was for Florida to mandate built-in breathalyzers in the cars of convicted drunk drivers. The two organizations also suggested that Florida could do more to prevent teen dating violence and could pass booster seat laws to prevent childhood injuries in Miami car accidents. Florida already does have bicycle helmet laws, prescription drug monitoring, and seat belt laws, which puts the state ahead of some others when it comes to preventative safety measures.

According to the study and other experts, some of the top preventable injuries in the region include Miami motorcycle accidents, Miami car accidents caused by distracted driving, and Miami injuries and falls caused by alcohol. In many cases, the fatal and serious injuries that emergency doctors see in Miami are quite preventable. While Miami hospitals do a good job of treating Miami brain injury patients and other trauma patients, doctors agree that prevention is key to preventing fatalities and serious accidents.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog