Car Accident Saint Louis, MO

News Results For Accident

2010-02-13T09:49:00.004-06:00

Car Accident Statistics

2010-02-11T08:16:00.000-06:00

Car Accident Statistics - St. Louis, MO

Information available on the FARS website. FARS is the Federal Analysis Reporting System located at http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

After reading through the car accident statistics on the FARS site I noticed that fatal crashes appear to be at their lowest level in over 10 years. Read through this blog entry to discover more accident statistics.

Motorcycles in fatal crashes had the highest proportion of collisions with fixed objects (25.2 percent), and large trucks in fatal crashes had the lowest proportion (3.5 percent).[Vehicles 2007]

Half of all fatal crashes in 2007 occurred on roads with posted speed limits of 55 mph or more, as compared with 23 percent of injury and property-damage-only crashes.
[Crashes 2007]

The pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population was 1.54 for the Nation. The District of Columbia had the highest rate (3.23), and Wyoming, with two pedestrian fatalities, had the lowest rate (0.38).
[States 2007]

In 2008 Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes
Fatal Crashes 34,017
Drivers 19,220
Passengers 7,397
Unknown 72
Sub Total1 26,689
Motorcyclists 5,290

Nonmotorist
Pedestrians 4,378
Pedalcyclists 716
Other/ Unknown 188
Sub Total2 5,282

Total** 37,261

Car Accident Articles

2010-02-08T15:08:00.004-06:00

Car accident articles come out everyday that fully describe the tragic life changing events that effect drivers and passengers during and immediately after an accident, however there are few if any car accident articles that focus on life after the car accident takes place. I work with doctors who practice is focused on treating victims of car accidents and focus heavily on finding ways to help patients get their life back on track as quickly as possible after an auto accident takes place.

Car Accident Doctor

2010-02-07T21:48:00.004-06:00

Car Accident Doctors in St Louis, MO. I work with doctors who have locations in North County St. Louis & Downtown St. Louis. If you've been in a Car Accident in St Louis Call now to get the treatment you need 800-877-DAVE.

Car Accident? Are You In Pain? Call NOW 800-877-DAVE

2009-05-20T22:15:00.026-05:00

Car Accident? Are You In Pain? Call NOW 800-877-DAVE

2009-04-21T14:43:00.051-05:00

WhatHappensNow.Com: Car Accidents

2009-04-02T17:02:00.010-05:00

http://www.whathappensnow.com/

The creators of this site say they have talked to THOUSANDS of experts, professionals, friends and neighbors around the country about what they have lived through. They have picked the best advice from them all and posted it on their site.

The Car Accident section on the site was pretty good. What I really liked was the WHN Tip sections. I got sucked into this site and spent a while looking at all kinds of information. Check it out, but be careful...

Do I Need An Attorney To Handle My Car Accident Case? Call 800-877-DAVE For More Information

2009-04-01T12:33:00.004-05:00

If you ask a personal injury lawyer, they will almost universally tell you that you need a lawyer.

Do you really?

Let’s discuss why, in most cases, you are better served by having a lawyer, even if your ultimate goal is to settle the case. There are number of reasons for this.

First, an experienced personal injury lawyer can evaluate the offer for you so that you can know whether you are getting fair compensation. The insurance companies’ goal is not to mete out justice but to pay you as little as possible. Without knowledge of what the fair value of the case is, you are in the dark as to what the settlement and trial value is of cases similar to yours. Is $400,000 a fair value for your case? It sure is a lot of money. But is it what your case is worth? Unless, you have seen hundreds of these cases and have had the opportunity to take similar cases to a jury, you really have no idea if you are hitting a home run or if the insurance company is taking advantage of you. Insurance companies are more likely to settle your case for a bargain when you represent yourself, because they know you do not know the value of the case.

Second, when you are not represented by an attorney, the insurance companies also know that you do not have a hammer in the event that your case does not settle. The leverage a personal injury lawyer has, particularly a lawyer who has a proven track record with the insurance companies, is that a lawsuit will be the response to an unreasonable offer. Insurance companies know who the serious lawyers are who are willing to try cases; they also know which lawyers settle almost all of their cases. Your settlement offer typically reflects this.

Third, more work often needs to be done to be able to put your personal injury case in the position to receive a reasonable offer. Many cases require additional work to prepare a demand package beyond the collection of the medical bills. You might need, just to name a few examples, an additional report from a doctor with respect to the scope of your injuries or future required medical care, an economist’s report to calculate your real damages, or a vocational rehabilitation expert to assist in determining your economic loss. A personal injury lawyer can provide the expertise to figure out what you need and how to go about getting it.

The fourth reason to hire a personal injury attorney is that a personal injury attorney is a skilled advocate and negotiator who can often make a meaningful impact on your case. You need someone to explain why your case deserves more money than the insurance company thinks it is worth. The insurance companies are going to construe every fact where reasonable minds could differ against you, unless you have someone advocating your case.

So why shouldn't you hire an attorney represent yourself? You might think you can advocate your own case to the insurance company. Who is more qualified than you to discuss your own injuries? In some ways, you will be able to advocate your own case better than anyone because you actually experienced the pain and suffering that you are discussing with the claims adjuster. The biggest problem with doing this is that you often say things that end up hurting your case when you handle your own claim.

This leads to the final major problem with handling you own case: that you will screw it up. So many people handling their own personal injury cases miss a filing deadline, fail to understand all of their rights, or say something to the insurance company that they should not have said, and this gets used against them later.

Okay, so it is clearly the safer play to hire a lawyer for any case. And this is not by any means a full laundry list of why hiring a lawyer is - generally speaking - the smartest thing to do. The value a lawyer can add to your case increases exponentially with the degree of injury. The reason for this is that smaller cases, in most jurisdictions, are decided by judges where there are less likely to be the highs and lows you get with jury awards. If you ask 20 people what the value of a crushed ankle is for a 23 year-old girl who makes a living on her feet, you are going to get 20 different answers. This is where quality advocacy matters. If you ask 20 judges what the value of a soft tissue injury claim with a totaled vehicle, an emergency room visit and six weeks of physical therapy, the standard deviation from the average will be a small fraction of what it would be for the crushed ankle example.

In my 11 years of practice I can safely say I would rather that you hire a lawyer to handle your personal injury case. However, I know some people are going to ignore that advice.

Www.AccidentInfo.Com - Tons of Great Accident Info - Call 800-877-DAVE

2009-03-31T17:19:00.007-05:00

Another site I've found to be beneficial if you've been in a car accident is http://www.accidentinfo.com/.

A great collection of information for you to look over.

This is from the front page of the site:

Being involved in an accident can be an emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially draining experience. Finding information related to your accident should not add to the stress an accident has already imposed on your life. This site is designed to provide easy access information on a variety of accident-related topics such as: car accidents, motorcycle accidents, boating accidents, drunk driving accidents, preserving evidence, how and when to choose an accident attorney, understanding attorney fees, and understanding comparative (fault) negligence. If you have recently been part of an accident and have just found this site, use the links on this page to find information on the type of accident that has affected you and/or your family. It is our desire that this site help you find access to the information you need to understand the importance of seeking legal advise from an experienced accident attorney.
Click here for information on what to do if you are in a Motorcycle Accident.Click here for information on what to do if you are in a Boating Accident.
Click here to visit The Saint Louis Business List!

Car-Accidents.Com : Thousands of Auto Accident Photos and True Stories - Call 314.703.4439 Today!

2009-03-22T12:53:00.012-05:00

Hello again. Here it is Sunday, at 1:15 in the afternoon, and I just discovered this site called Car-Accidents.Com. Since I'm interested in everything to do with car accidents and want to share everything I discover with you, I thought I'd post the link so you could take a look around the site. This site is very different. If you are looking for legal help, statistics, or accident information they have everything you need. Take a look around it and tell me what you think.

"Talk and Die Syndrome" Even if you feel okay, a head injury can be potentially deadly.

2009-03-18T16:02:00.003-05:00

A recent article posted on MSN Health and Fitness by Coeli Carr on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 addressed the issue of "Talk and Die Syndrome" I though it vital to share this information with you.

The article starts with:

After a serious accident, victims often experience overt pain or immobility that leads them to seek immediate medical attention. But what if you injure your head and feel okay afterward? What should you do? Read the entire article by clicking on http://health.msn.com/blogs/daily-dose-post.aspx?post=1014042&GT1=31036

My desire in my blog is to empower you to make healthy informed decisions after a car accident. I will constantly search for the most relevant information to help you. My passion in life is helping car crash victims who suffer with pain to lead a more enjoyable life possibly pain free.

If you ever have any questions related to car accident injury please feel free to email me at appthelp@gmail.com or call me direct at 800-877-DAVE.

Can Whiplash Hurt Your Shoulder? Call 800-877-DAVE And Find Out.

2009-03-03T14:47:00.003-06:00

It's probably more common than you think. Whiplash injuries, especially serious ones, are notorious for causing pain and disability beyond the neck. Whiplash is considered a full body disorder and symptoms can range from pain to dizziness, headache and fatigue. Depending on the type of collision and restraints, other body parts may be injured as well.

One study (Abbassian A, Giddins GE. Subacromial Impingement in patients with whiplash injury to the cervical spine. J Orthopedic Surgery 2008;3:25.) looked at shoulder complaints in individuals who had suffered a whiplash type of trauma. Out of 220 patients with whiplash, 26% had shoulder symptoms and 5% had what is known as an impingement syndrome. Referred pain from the neck and nerve injury to the muscles that stabilize the shoulder can give rise to an impingement syndrome. Also, direct trauma from the pressure supplied by a seatbelt during a frontal impact can cause fracturing of cartilage and sprain of the surrounding ligaments.

The pointy top of the shoulder is the acromium and some impingements (binding and compression) can affect the tendons of the rotator cuff or other soft tissues just under this bone.

Sometimes a bursa (fluid filled sac) can swell during the night causing pain.Because most patients with whiplash who have shoulder pain are thought to have referred pain from the neck, an impingement syndrome may be overlooked. This can delay treatment, resulting in prolonged disability, pain, and chronicity.

An MRI may be needed to fully diagnose the problem and confirm the lesion. Sometimes the labrum, cartilage surrounding the bone, can break away causing significant pain. There may be inflammation surrounding the different tendons as they are caught between the shoulder bone and the soft tissues.

Most shoulder injuries can be conservatively treated and rarely require surgery.

The important part of this issue is first getting the problem properly diagnosed! If you don't know what is causing the pain, it is nearly impossible to have a specific, effective solution.

If you would like to schedule a consultation to address your health concerns, just call us at 314-703-4439 to make an appointment. We may be able to help you, and if not, we will refer you to a qualified Orthopedic Surgeon that will.

Insurance Lingo - Terms You May Want To Know

2009-03-03T13:07:00.000-06:00

Every industry has it's own language. The car insurance companies have their own lingo that you may hear during the process of recovering after you car accident. I wanted to list some of the key words you may hear.

ACTUARY - An insurance professional skilled in the analysis, evaluation, and management of statistical information. Evaluates insurance firms' reserves, determines rate and rating methods, and determines other business and financial risks.

ADJUSTER- An individual employed by a property/casualty insurer to evaluate losses and settle policyholder claims. These adjusters differ from public adjusters; who negotiate with insurers on behalf of policyholders, and receive a portion of a claims settlement. Independent adjusters are independent contractors who adjust claims for different insurance companies.

ANTITRUST LAWS- Laws that prohibit companies from working as a group to set prices, restrict supplies or stop competition in the marketplace. The insurance industry is subject to state antitrust laws but has a limited exemption from federal antitrust laws. This exemption, set out in the McCarran-Ferguson Act, permits insurers to jointly develop common insurance forms and share loss data to help them price policies.

APPRAISAL- A survey to determine a property's insurable value, or the amount of a loss.

ASSIGNED RISK PLANS - Facilities through which drivers can obtain auto insurance if they are unable to buy it in the regular or voluntary market. These are the most well-known type of residual auto insurance market, which exist in every state. In an assigned risk plan, all insurers selling auto insurance in the state are assigned these drivers to insure, based on the amount of insurance they sell in the regular market

AUTO POLICY - There are basically six different types of coverages. Some may be required by law. Others are optional. They are:
1. Bodily injury liability, for injuries the policyholder causes to someone else.
2. Medical payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder's car.
3. Property damage liability, for damage the policyholder causes to someone else's property.
4. Collision, for damage to the policyholder's car from a collision.
5. Comprehensive, for damage to the policyholder's car not involving a collision with another car (including damage from fire, explosions, earthquakes, floods, and riots), and theft.
6. Uninsured motorists coverage, for costs resulting from an accident involving a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have insurance.

BODILY INJURY LIABILITY COVERAGE - Portion of an auto insurance policy that covers injuries the policyholder causes to someone else.

CAPACITY - The supply of insurance available to meet demand. Capacity depends on the industry's financial ability to accept risk. Reduced capacity leads to higher premiums, but higher premiums eventually attract more capacity to the market.

COLLISION COVERAGE - Portion of an auto insurance policy that covers the damage to the policyholder's car from a collision.

COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE - Portion of an auto insurance policy that covers damage to the policyholder's car not involving a collision with another car (including damage from fire, explosions, earthquakes, floods, and riots), and theft.

CONTINGENT LIABILITY - Liability of individuals, corporations, or partnerships for accidents caused by people other than employees for whose acts or omissions the corporations or partnerships are responsible.

COVERAGE - Synonym for insurance.

CREDIT SCORE - The number produced by an analysis of an individual's credit history. Studies have shown that credit history provides an indicator of the likelihood of an auto insurance loss. Some companies use insurance scores as an insurance underwriting and rating tool.

DEDUCTIBLE - The amount of loss paid by the policyholder. Either a specified dollar amount, a percentage of the claim amount, or a specified amount of time that must elapse before benefits are paid. The bigger the deductible, the lower the premium charged for the same coverage.

ECONOMIC LOSS - Total financial loss resulting from the death or disability of a wage earner, or from the destruction of property. Includes the loss of earnings, medical expenses, funeral expenses, the cost of restoring or replacing property, and legal expenses. It does not include noneconomic losses, such as pain caused by an injury.

EXTENDED COVERAGE - An endorsement added to an insurance policy, or clause within a policy, that provides additional coverage for risks other than those in a basic policy.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW - A state law requiring that all automobile drivers show proof that they can pay damages up to a minimum amount if involved in an auto accident. Varies from state to state but can be met by carrying a minimum amount of auto liability insurance.

FIRST-PARTY COVERAGE - Coverage for the policyholder's own property or person. In no-fault auto insurance it pays for the cost of injuries. In no-fault states with the broadest coverage, the personal injury protection (PIP) part of the policy pays for medical care, lost income, funeral expenses and, where the injured person is not able to provide services such as child care, for substitute services.

FRAUD - Intentional lying or concealment by policyholders to obtain payment of an insurance claim that would otherwise not be paid, or lying or misrepresentation by the insurance company managers, employees, agents, and brokers for financial gain.

FREQUENCY - Number of times a loss occurs. One of the criteria used in calculating premium rates.

GENERIC AUTO PARTS - Auto crash parts produced by firms that are not associated with car manufacturers. Insurers consider these parts, when certified, at least as good as those that come from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). They are often cheaper than the identical part produced by the OEM.

INDEMNIFY - Provide financial compensation for losses.

INSURABLE RISK - Risks for which it is relatively easy to get insurance and that meet certain criteria. These include being definable, accidental in nature, and part of a group of similar risks large enough to make losses predictable. The insurance company also must be able to come up with a reasonable price for the insurance.

INSURANCE - A system to make large financial losses more affordable by transferring the risk from individuals to large groups, or pools, in return for a premium.

LAW OF LARGE NUMBERS - The theory of probability on which the business of insurance is based. Simply put, this mathematical premise says that the larger the group of units insured, such as sport-utility vehicles, the more accurate the predictions of loss will be.

LIABILITY INSURANCE - Insurance for what the policyholder is legally obligated to pay because of bodily injury or property damage caused to another person.

LIMITS - Maximum amount of insurance that can be paid for a covered loss.

LOSS - A reduction in the quality or value of a property, or a legal liability.

LOSS RATIO - Percentage of each premium dollar an insurer spends on claims.

LOSS RESERVES - The company's best estimate of what it will pay for claims, which is periodically readjusted. They represent a liability on the insurer's balance sheet.

MEDICAL PAYMENTS INSURANCE - A coverage in which the insurer agrees to reimburse the insured and others up to a certain limit for medical or funeral expenses as a result of bodily injury or death by accident. Payments are without regard to fault.

MEDICAL UTILIZATION REVIEW - The practice used by insurance companies to review claims for medical treatment.

MULTIPLE PERIL POLICY - A package policy, such as a homeowners or auto insurance policy, that provides coverage against several different perils. It also refers to the combination of property and liability coverage in one policy. In the early days of insurance, coverages for property damage and liability were purchased separately.

MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY - A company owned by its policyholders that returns part of its profits to the policyholders as dividends. The insurer uses the rest as a surplus cushion in case of large and unexpected losses.

NOTICE OF LOSS - A written notice required by insurance companies immediately after an accident or other loss. Part of the standard provisions defining a policyholder's responsibilities after a loss.

PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION COVERAGE / PIP - Portion of an auto insurance policy that covers the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder's car.

POLICY - A written contract for insurance between an insurance company and policyholder stating details of coverage.

PREMIUM - The price of an insurance policy, typically charged annually or semiannually.

PROPERTY / CASUALTY INSURANCE - Covers damage to or loss of a policyholder's property and a policyholder's legal liability for damages caused to other people or their property.

RATE - The cost of a unit of insurance, usually per $1,000. Rates are based on historical loss experience for similar risks and may be regulated by state insurance offices.

REPLACEMENT COST - Insurance that pays the dollar amount needed to replace damaged personal property or dwelling property without deducting for depreciation but limited by the maximum dollar amount shown on the declarations page of the policy.

RESERVES - A company's best estimate of what it will pay for claims.

RESIDUAL MARKET - Facilities that exist to provide coverage for those who cannot get it in the regular market. Insurers generally must participate in these pools. For this reason it is also known as the shared market.

RISK - The chance of loss or the person or entity that is insured.

SALVAGE - Damaged property an insurer takes over after paying a claim to reduce its loss. Insurers receive salvage rights over property on which they have paid claims, such as badly-damaged cars. Insurers that paid claims on cargoes lost at sea now have the right to recover sunken treasures. Salvage charges are the costs associated with recovering that property.

SCHEDULE - A list of individual items or groups of items that are covered under one policy.

STRUCTURED SETTLEMENT - Legal agreement to pay a designated person, usually someone who has been injured, a specified sum of money in periodic payments, usually for his or her lifetime, instead of in a single lump sum payment.

SUBROGATION - The legal process by which an insurance company, after paying a loss, seeks to recover the amount of the loss from another party who is legally liable for it.

THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR - Outside group that performs clerical functions for an insurance company.

THIRD-PARTY COVERAGE - Liability coverage purchased by the policyholder as a protection against possible lawsuits filed by a third party. The insured and the insurer are the first and second parties to the insurance contract.

TOTAL LOSS - The condition of an automobile or other property when damage is so extensive that repair costs would exceed the value of the vehicle or property.

UNINSURED MOTORISTS COVERAGE - Portion of an auto insurance policy that protects a policyholder from uninsured and hit-and-run drivers.

VOID - A policy contract that for some reason specified in the policy becomes free of all legal effect. One example under which a policy could be voided is when information a policyholder provided is proven untrue.

What to Do After a Car Accident - Call 800-877-DAVE

2009-03-03T11:18:00.005-06:00

Edmunds. com is a great resource for all things realated to cars. I found some great information on what they recommend you do after a car accident. Some of the information I had covered in previous posts, however the entire article I found on their site is great. If you see a paragraph that starts with a * this is information I have added that you may want to consider.

Here is the article:

What to Do After a Car Accident By Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor

Each year, thousands of people are involved in traffic accidents during the Memorial Day Weekend. If you are one of these unfortunate people, will you know what to do in the aftermath of a collision? How you react can prevent further injuries, reduce costs and accelerate the clean-up and repair process.

The Consumer Protection Assocation of America is increasing public awareness on this subject by designating the week before Memorial Day "National Driver Education Week." The Association has developed a list of suggestions to help drivers anticipate what they need to know about dealing with an accident."These tips can make a big difference in everything from protecting yourself and your passengers to ensuring that you won't be without a car while yours is in the shop," said Dr. Ray Bruce, president of the association.Over 6.3 million police-reported motor vehicle crashes occurred in the United States in 1998. Almost one-third of these accidents resulted in injury.

In 2001, nearly 42,000 people died on America's roadways. Clearly, accidents are a part of life in America.So, if you are involved in a traffic collision, try to remain calm, and follow these steps:

Action Plan to Deal with Accidents:

*This information is not in the article but is essential following a car accident. If you have been in a collision, the first thing you should do is check to make sure everyone is okay with a visit to the ER or Urgent Care. Just because you think you aren't hurt or aren't hurt badly, doesn't mean that you are okay. Some small injuries can turn into life long injuries and may not appear right away and can take up to a week to show. If you think you've been injured as a result of the collision go to the ER or Urgent Care.

1. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Glove Compartment. Drivers should carry a cell phone, as well as pen and paper for taking notes, a disposable camera to take photos of the vehicles at the scene, and a card with information about medical allergies or conditions that may require special attention if there are serious injuries. Also, keep a list of contact numbers for law enforcement agencies handy. Drivers can keep this free fill-in-the-blanks accident information form in their glove compartment. The DocuDent Auto Accident Kit ($19.95), supported by AAA and insurance companies, offers a comprehensive kit that includes a flashlight, reusable camera and accident documentation instructions. A set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares should be kept in the trunk.

2. Keep Safety First. Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone's safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.

3. Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.

4. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.

5. File An Accident Report. Although law enforcement officers in many locations may not respond to accidents unless there are injuries, drivers should file a state vehicle accident report, which is available at police stations and often on the Department of Motor Vehicles Web site as a downloadable file. A police report often helps insurance companies speed up the claims process.

6. Know What Your Insurance Covers. The whole insurance process will be easier following your accident if you know the details of your coverage. For example, don't wait until after an accident to find out that your policy doesn't automatically cover costs for towing or a replacement rental car. Generally, for only a dollar or ten extra each month, you can add coverage for medical payments, rental car reimbursement, which provides a rental car for little or no money while your car is in the repair shop or if it is stolen. Check your policy for specifics.

The final question in dealing with an accident is usually who will pay for the damages? If the accident was minor, you and the other drivers may decide to handle the damages yourselves without the involvement of an insurance company. But this isn't always the best idea, for several reasons. While the other driver may agree to pay for the damage to your car on the day of the accident, he may see the repair bills and decide it's too high.

Also, keep in mind that you have no way of knowing whether another driver will change his mind and report the accident to his insurance company. He may even claim injuries that weren't apparent at the scene of the accident. This means that your insurance company may end up paying him a hefty settlement, or worse yet, you could be dragged into a lawsuit.

*What I've seen over the years which was not in this article is to make sure that you seek legal consultation in these matters. Lawyers will typically meet with you at no cost to give you their opinion if you have a case or not.

*If the lawyer decides that you do in fact have a case worth taking this is a tremendous benefit. The lawyer can help you every step of the way when dealing with the insurance company. The insurance company may seem to want to help you, however make no mistake their objective is to pay as little as possible and get the car accident resolved as quickly as possible. We will cover the reasons in our next post.

* If the insurance company contacts you and asks how you feel if your pain is minor or nonexistant it is perfectly ok to tell them you don't know at this point. If you are in pain be honest with them and tell them if you wish, however be very careful how you communciate with them. Many times the full extent of your pain from an accident may take a few days to a week to show up. The insurance companies know this and will rush you into making a statement that they may use against you if you claim pain after this initial conversation. If you get this call you would be wise to follow this suggestion it may save you time and money down the road.

Auto accidents take a tremendous toll on everyone involved, both financially and emotionally. If you're one of the lucky ones who have thus far avoided a serious accident, hopefully the tips on prevention will help keep it that way. The chances are high, though, that at some point you will be involved in a minor accident. Just keep your head and make safety your primary concern.

Traumatic Brain Injury

2009-03-03T10:16:00.002-06:00

Traumatic brain injury (TBI, also called intracranial injury) occurs when an outside force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism (closed or penetrating head injury), or other features (e.g. occurring in a specific location or over a widespread area). Head injury usually refers to TBI, but is a broader category because it can involve damage to structures other than the brain, such as the scalp and skull.

TBI is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, especially in young people. Causes include falls, vehicle accidents, and violence. Prevention measures include use of technology to protect those who are in accidents, such as seat belts and sports or motorcycle helmets, as well as efforts to reduce the number of accidents, such as safety education programs and enforcement of traffic laws.
Brain trauma can be caused by a direct impact or by acceleration alone. In addition to the damage caused at the moment of injury, brain trauma causes secondary injury, a variety of events that take place in the minutes and days following the injury. These processes, which include alterations in cerebral bood flow and the pressure within the skull, contribute substantially to the damage from the initial injury.

TBI can cause a host of physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral effects, and outcome can range from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. The 20th century has seen critical developments in diagnosis and treatment which have decreased death rates and improved outcome. These include imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Depending on the injury, treatment required may be minimal or may include interventions such as medications and emergency surgery. Chiropractic, speech therapy, and occupational therapy may be employed for rehabilitation.

Information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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Whiplash - Neck Pain - Call ME Today At 800-877-DAVE

2009-03-03T09:04:00.003-06:00

Injuries to the neck caused by a sudden movement of the head, backward, forward, or sideways, is referred to as whiplash. Whether from a car accident, sports, or an accident at work, whiplash or other neck injuries warrant a thorough check-up.

The biggest danger with whiplash injuries is that the symptoms can take years to develop. Too often people don't seek treatment until more serious complications develop.

Even after whiplash victims settle their insurance claims, some 45% report they still suffer with symptoms two years later.

A whiplash injury is diagnosed with a physical examination. X-rays may be used to see if there are any fractures of the vertebrae and the extent to which the alignment of the neck has been altered. After a whiplash injury your neck's natural curve may be reversed, which unevenly distributes the weight of your head and may further misalign the veterbrae. This condition can lead to arthritic degeneration and recurring pain.

In some cases soft tissue injury may not show up on normal x-rays. Imaging devices (CAT Scans, Magnetic Imaging (MRI), and Ultra Sound) may be ordered to demonstrate and prove the existence of soft tissue injury.

When no bones are broken and the head doesn't strike the windshield, typical symptoms are as follows:

62% to 98% of people with whiplash report neck pain, which typically starts two hours up to two days after the accident. This is often the result of tightened muscles that react to either muscle tears or excessive movement of joints from ligament damage. The muscles tighten in an effort to splint and support the head, limiting the excessive movement.

Sixty-six to 70% of those suffering from whiplash complain of headache. The pain may be on one side or both, on again off again or constant, in one spot or more general. These headaches, like the neck pain, are often the result of tightened, tensed muscles trying to keep the head stable and, like tension headaches, they are often felt behind the eyes.

Shoulder pain often described as pain radiating down the back of the neck into the shoulder blade area, may also be the result of tensed muscles.

Muscle tears are often described as burning pain, prickling or tingling. More severe disc damage may cause sharp pain with certain movements, with or without radiation into the arms, hand and fingers, which are relieved by holding your hand over your head.

The list below are some of the most common whiplash symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, play it safe and get a chiropractic check up.

Basic Whiplash Symptoms:

Neck pain and/or stiffness
Blurred vision
Difficulty swallowing
Irritability
Fatigue
Dizziness
Pain between the shoulder blades
Pain in the arms or legs, feet and hands
Headache
Low back pain and/or stiffness
Shoulder pain
Nausea
Ringing in the ears
Vertigo
Numbness and tingling
Pain in the jaw or face

How Does Whiplash Happen?

Whiplash is most commonly received from riding in a car that is struck form behind, or collides with another vehicle. When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal limits, the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine can be over-stretched or torn.

In a rear end collision for example, the victim's car is first pushed or accelerated forward and then, because their foot is on the brake, or their car hits the vehicle in front, their car is rapidly slowed down, or decelerated. As the vehicle accelerates forward, it pushes the body forward too, but the head remains behind momentarily, rocking up and back, until some of the muscles and ligaments are stretched or torn.

Too often the whiplash injury occurs before the head rebounds off the headrest (Providing there is one. If not, the injuries sustained are much worse as there is no method to prevent hyperextension from occurring). These muscles, in a reflex action, contract to bring the occupant’s head forward again, and to prevent excessive injury. This overcompensates because at this point the head is already traveling in a forward direction as the car decelerates. This violently rocks the head forward, stretching and tearing more muscles and ligaments.

The soft pulpy discs between the vertebrae can bulge, tear, or rupture. Vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position, reducing range of motion. The spinal cord and nerve roots get stretched, irritated, and choked. If the victim is not properly restrained the occupants head may strike the steering wheel or windshield, possibly causing a concussion.

Who Pays For Care After An Accident? Call Me At 800-877-DAVE

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If you have been injured in a car accident there are 3 different ways that your auto accident injuries can be paid for.

First things first. If you were not at fault, or if you are at fault, what is most important is to check over your car insurance policy and see if you have what is called Medical Payments or Med Pay. These benefits can range from $500 - up to $10,000 in certain states and takes care of the doctors and hospital bills. They can be used if you the accident was not your fault or even if you were.

Med Pay is a benefit you may have already been paying a small amount of money for in your monthly car insurance payments and not even known about it. Using these benefits will not make your rates increase. In fact, the biggest benefit of using med pay is when it comes time to settle your claim.

If you get into a car accident you may see an attorney and a doctor. If you've hired an attorney their job will be to negotiate with the insurance company in the hope of getting you a possible settlement. The amount of your settlement can based upon the total amount of your medical bills and other factors. The final amount you accept maybe divided between you, the attorney, and the doctor.

If you use Med Pay to pay the doctor before your settlement comes you may owe your doctor nothing. If this is the case, you get a larger portion of the settlement...plain and simple.

If you don't have med pay, but you have health insurance, the doctor may be able to bill your health insurance to help cover a portion of the bill. The remaining balance may be taken care of as part of your settlement.

If you don't have any insurance, and you do get a settlement, your doctor bills can be taken care of with a portion of the settlement.

If an attorney does take your case and they don't get a settlement you don't owe them...we feel the same. If you don't get a settlement you owe us nothing.

I hope this information has helped you understand more about how you can get the care you need after a car accident and how the cost will be covered.

If you have any further questions please feel free to call for a free consultation 800-877-DAVE.