Rear End Accidents are Common, and Dangerous

Getting hit from behind can sneak up on you.  A rear end accident often happens with little warning, and can cause significant damage and injury.  Why are they so common, and how should we deal with them?

Let’s check in with the Car Crash Captain to see what he says about getting hit from behind in a rear end collision.

How Common are Rear End Accidents?

Depending on what statistics you look at, rear-end collisions account for about 28% of all crashes in the US any given year (some stats say as high as 33%).  Roughly 1.7 million car crashes are rear end collisions.

What this means is that if you were involved in a wreck, there’s a 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 chance that it’s a rear end collision.  The good news is that most of these wrecks are non-fatal (about 6% of them result in death).  The bad news is that the majority of them are easily prevented.

What are the Main Causes of Rear End Collisions?

There are three main causes of a rear end wreck.

Too Close – Often a car will strike the car ahead of it because they’re following too closely.  The vehicle ahead has to stop quickly (due to any number of reasons including animals, debris, another vehicle, a child, etc.), and the vehicle following crunches right into them.  Make sure you’re following 3 seconds behind the car ahead of you – at 50 mph that means you’re back 220 feet.

Too Extreme – Some collisions are caused because of extreme weather.  When the roads get wet, or iced over, they get slippery.  When they’re slick, your wheels can skid along them instead of gripping you to a stop.  A good rule of thumb is to double your following distance when the roads are slick; six seconds instead of three.

Too Distracted – An increasingly common problem is that drivers are paying more attention to their devices than to the road.  Even when following at a safe distance, distracted driving leads to a number of rear end accidents every year.  Just put the thing away – if you really need to check, pull over and use the device safely in a parked location.

What Common Injuries Result from Rear End Collisions?

If you’re hit from behind, there are some injuries that result much more frequently than others.  Some of the common injuries from a rear-end collision include:

• Whiplash.  We talked about this neck injury in a recent blog.
• Traumatic Brain Injury.  If hit hard enough, your head can smack against a part of the car.
• Internal Organ Damage.  The sudden impact, even with a seat belt and airbag, can squish your organs.
• Back Sprains/Strains.  When you pull your back and the muscles are damaged it’s a strain; when the ligaments and tendons are damaged it’s a sprain.
• Slipped Disc.  The cushions between the vertebrae are called discs.  Back injuries can slip or tear one of those discs.
• Fractures.  Just about any bone can be broken in a rear end collision – it all depends on how hard you were hit.

Herbert Law Group Helps You after a Rear End Accident

If you have been injured in a wreck, whether it was a rear-end collision or something else, you need a Texas car crash lawyer on your side.

The insurance companies will try to minimize your payout – in the long run it likely won’t cover all of your costs.  Herbert Law Group supports you, and fights on your behalf so you receive compensation that will cover all your expenses.

Let’s get started with a conversation about what happened.  Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll get to know each other.

Whiplash is a Common Car Accident Injury

But is whiplash dangerous?  The answer to that question can only be determined as, “Well, that depends.”  It depends on how bad the wreck was, what treatment looked like, if there were previous injuries or not, and other factors.

So, let’s tune in and see what the Car Crash Captain has to say about whiplash.  Let’s see how you should be treated, how to heal quickly, and how to proceed with your car accident settlement if you have suffered from this common neck injury.

What Causes Whiplash?

Whiplash can occur in a variety of situations, but it’s most commonly associated with being involved in a car wreck.  The sudden backward and forward motion can stretch, or tear, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck.

Modern vehicles are designed to reduce the likelihood of whiplash, but improperly adjusted headrests or other factors can mean that it still happens.

What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

It is a neck injury, but often injuries in one part of the body show up in other areas.  If you have been involved in a wreck and your head whipped around a bunch, you might experience some of these common whiplash symptoms.

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches
• Reduced neck motion
• Shoulder or upper back pain
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty or painful chewing and swallowing
• Memory and concentration problems
• Tinnitus

Depending on the severity of the whiplash, and if there are other complicating factors, your symptoms could range from mild, to severe.  The more severe symptoms can cause a serious impact on our day-to-day life, and can result in further injuries or complications.

How is Whiplash Treated?

The best treatment for whiplash is following your doctor or medical professional’s advice.  Only after a thorough assessment can the right course of action be taken.

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam.  Looking for redness, swelling, tenderness, and assessing your range of motion.

They may then have you sent in for an MRI.  This can look at the soft tissues in the neck and determine if there are tears or other damage.

Once it’s determined how severe your whiplash is, then a treatment plan can be developed.  Medication can help alleviate some of the pain you’re in, but then steps need to be taken to help the body heal as well.

• Cold and hot packs can reduce inflammation and encourage blood flow.
• Steroid injections may be and option to help reduce swelling, reduce pain, and hasten healing.
• Plenty of rest and avoiding sudden movements are likely part of the solution.
• For serious cases, surgery may be necessary.

Depending on how severe your whiplash is, it may be just a couple of weeks before you are healed, or symptoms could linger for months and even years.

How Serious is Whiplash?

The severity depends on many factors leading up to the crash.  Sometimes whiplash is painful, without being dangerous or serious other than mild discomfort.  Sometimes it can be life altering and have complications that last a lifetime.

Factors that influence the severity of your whiplash include:

• Your age
• Your medical history
• How much force you sustained
• How rigidly you follow the treatment plan

Receiving medical treatment right after your car crash will help to reduce the dangers associated with this common injury.

Herbert Law Group Helps Crash Victims

When you have been hit by someone else, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything.  When you’re trying to recover from injuries, like whiplash, you need to focus your attention and energy on actually recovering from those injuries.

That is why Herbert Law Group is here.

We deal with Texas car crashes every day.  We know what you deserve, we know the compensation you should be awarded, and we are ready to deal with the insurance companies to make sure they’re playing fairly.

Have you been injured in a wreck?  Then we should chat about it.  Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site, let’s talk about what happened and make sure we can help.

Insurance Companies will Try to Diminish Your Value

Seeking compensation from an insurance company often isn’t quite as easy as it sounds.  Sure, in a perfect world you would say “This is how much the wreck has cost me,” and the insurance company would cut you a check for that amount.  But when you’re dealing with a for-profit company, they want to pay out as little as possible and they do so by diminishing the actual cash value.

If you have been injured, then you absolutely need to hire a Texas car crash attorney.  If you were not injured, then pay attention to the Car Crash Captain’s advice on maximizing your claim.

Texas is a Modified Comparative At-Fault State

What’s that mean exactly?  Simply put, if you’re less than 51% at fault for the accident, then you can make a claim against the other driver’s insurance.  There are 12 states that are no-fault states – if you live there, it’s important to know what that means.

Repair or Replace the Vehicle?

When your vehicle is damaged, the insurance adjuster will assess what happened.  Depending on a variety of factors, your vehicle may be deemed repairable, or a total loss.

You have the right to choose which auto body repair shop you want to use for the repairs, and you have the right ask for original equipment manufacturer parts.  If the total cost from that repair shop comes in at less than the value of the vehicle, then your claim will likely be approved and repairs will be performed.

However, if the repairs are too expensive, then the insurer may offer you a settlement that is equal to the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle.  They take possession of the totaled vehicle, and you’re cut a check.

But wait a minute, what if you disagree?  Or what if the numbers are incredibly close?  For instance, suppose your vehicle is worth $15,000 and repairs to the vehicle will run $15,100 (keep in mind that all insurers have a threshold; for instance, some may say repairs can’t exceed 80% of the value of the vehicle).  If you’re up against that threshold, you can seek another repair quote in hopes that it will come in less than the threshold, and thus be approved for repairs.

Actual Cash Value of the Vehicle?

There is a little bit of a problem that comes with the idea of “actual cash value.”  This is determined by the insurance company based on the replacement cost, minus wear and tear.  Here’s where things can get tricky.

The value of your vehicle, that is the cost to replace with an identical or at least similar one, is likely higher than the actual cash value that the insurance company will offer.  Replacement cost is different than actual cash value (some insurance companies allow you to select replacement value instead of actual cash value).

To get the ACV settlement offer higher, incorporate some of these tips:

• If the vehicle is your daily driver, consider the value of convenience, fuel economy, and comfort.  Searching for a replacement vehicle will take time and effort.
• Look in classifieds and online for similar (or identical) vehicles.  Consider mileage, options, and damage.  Use those as examples of why your vehicle is worth more.
• Include information on all upgrades.  If your vehicle is low mileage, or had a recent overhaul (like a new engine put in), make note of those.
• Don’t accept a settlement you disagree with.

A very basic negotiation argument can look like this.  Suppose your vehicle is worth $15,000 and insurance is offering $12,000.  You can argue that with the upgrades you have done, and the comparable vehicles you have found online, that the actual value of the vehicle is closer to $20,000.  You are willing to accept $15,000 because you’ll be able to replace the vehicle without an extended search, meaning less in rental car reimbursements.

If they say no, then say that you’re sorry we can’t come to an agreement at this time.  Refigure your argument and try again.

Can I Claim Lost Personal Time?

Even if you recover what you wanted to from the wreck, you are going to be out a considerable amount of time.  You have to deal with the wreck, the repair shops, the police reports, and negotiate with insurance companies.

Can you bill the insurance company for all of this time you’ve spent dealing with the claim?  What if they’re not playing nice, and you spend even more time in negotiations than previously expected?

There’s a way to do this, but it might not work out completely in your favor.  Instead of using your personal time, use PTO time to take days off work.  Then, account for those days when you’re negotiating your settlement.  You needed the extra time to figure out this wreck, and were forced to take off work, and you need to be reimbursed for that time.

Visit with Herbert Law Group

Keep in mind that these negotiation tactics are just that: tactics.  They are designed to work better in your favor, but they aren’t legal advice or promises that all will be an easy process.

If your accident did involve injuries, then it’s best to let an attorney handle the negotiations, as there is much more room to ensure you receive compensation that covers all of your losses.  That’s where Herbert Law Group comes to help.  When you need a car crash lawyer in Texas, we are here to help.

Let’s talk about what happened.  Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll get things rolling.

Understanding how a Serious Injury can Affect Your Life

There’s no wreck that won’t change your life.  Some, however, will have more drastic and severe impacts.  If you crash and there are no injuries, there will still be a whole lot of frustration trying to get repairs scheduled or a replacement vehicle purchased.

If you crash, and you do suffer serious injuries, you still have all of that stress to deal with while trying to navigate repairs or replacements, and you have to worry about healing from those injuries.  Sometimes, such as after a back or neck injury, your life could be permanently changed.

Let’s check in with the Car Crash Captain and learn about one of the most common serious injuries you may suffer in a Texas car accident.

Different Types of Back Injuries

Back injuries can run the entire gamut, for purposes of this blog, we are focusing more on spinal cord injuries, and less about muscle related injuries.  Any injury to the back can be painful and have significant long-term effects.

Most spinal cord back injuries will fall into one of two categories.

Incomplete Injuries – An incomplete spinal cord injury is one where the back has been injured and the cord damaged.  However, the damage to the spinal cord is partial, and the victim may still have mobility and recovery is possible.

Complete Injuries – A complete spinal cord injury results in permanent damage.  With today’s medical technology, the injury is so severe that repair and rehabilitation is not possible.  Most likely some form of paralysis occurs.

Since the back and neck is such a large part of the body, these injuries are generally broken down into four different regions.

Sacral: Where the injury is very low on the back, near or on the sacrum (just above the tailbone).  Some loss of leg and hip movement can occur with an injury at this location.

Lumbar: The lower back area.  Depending on the severity, a victim may lose the use of legs completely, or need a walker or braces to maneuver.

Thoracic: About the middle to upper part of the back.  A complete injury that results in paralysis means the stomach, pelvis, legs and feet are all affected.  Usually shoulder, arms, and hands aren’t affected.

Cervical: Located above the shoulders; most of the neck.  An injury here can result in complete paralysis from the neck down.

Basically, from the bottom of the head, to the tailbone, the back and neck are vulnerable to the trauma you could sustain in a major car crash.

Long Term Consequences of a Back Injury

There are the obvious health issues that can come up when you sustain a serious back injury in a car accident.  There are, however, many more than fall outside of the paralysis complications.

Back injuries can lead to:

• Sexual Dysfunction
• Chronic Pain
• Incontinence
• Increased Risk of Heart Problems
• Increased Risk of Lung Problems
• Inability to Regulate Temperature

Modern medicine, as well as physical therapy and rehabilitation can help to alleviate some of these issues.  However, a damaged spinal cord is difficult to repair, and the long-term effects can dramatically change the course of a victim’s life forever.

Costs Associated with a Back Injury

Those physical issues that arise after a serious back injury lead to financial problems as well.

Some back injuries can be “fixed” with regular chiropractor visits.  Regular adjustments may provide the pain relief necessary without further rehab involved.

However, more serious back injuries after a Texas car accident can result in much higher costs.  If your neck is broken and you’re left without control of your body from the neck down, lifetime expenses easily soar into the millions of dollars; up to $5 million is not an unreasonable expectation.

Consider, it’s not just the medical expenses you’re faced with.  A serious back injury that leaves you in a wheelchair means your living space needs modified to accommodate the wheelchair, transportation is now much more difficult, accommodations must be made at work, and medical devices will be necessary.  That’s not even factoring in mental healthcare that is bound to be necessary with such a dramatic life change.

Herbert Law Group Helps Texas Car Accident Victims

If you have been injured in a car accident, your only focus should be getting your life back on track.  Sometimes that means a complete healing, and sometimes it means learning how to live life a new way.

Regardless of how serious your injuries are, a car accident lawyer will help you with the legal issues of dealing with the insurance companies.  Don’t go it alone, let Herbert Law Group fight on your behalf.

To get started, we just need to find out what happened to see how we can help.  It’s a simple phone call to 214-414-3808, or you can fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.

How to Avoid Financial Loss after a Car Wreck

A new car, anymore, can run you $30,000 and up.  It’s not a purchase that many people can enter into without some planning, finding a lender, and then shopping for the best deal around.  It’s pretty easy to see that a car wreck that destroys a new, or even new-ish, vehicle can be expensive.  But have you considered the hidden costs of a car wreck?

There’s a whole lot more than meets the eye when you’re involved in a car crash.  If you were the victim, and you sustained injuries, those hidden costs increase dramatically.  Let’s take a look at what the Car Crash Captain has to say about the hidden costs of a car wreck.

Understanding What Hidden Costs Actually Are

Hidden costs are those that we tend to overlook at first.  The fact that it will cost $30,000 to replace your vehicle isn’t exactly hidden, because we know how much a replacement vehicle costs.  The hidden costs are those that insurance companies hope you overlook, so that you accept a settlement offer that is lower and they don’t have to pay out as much.

Costs of Filing New Paperwork

Have you bought a vehicle from the dealer, and when you sat down to sign all the paperwork, they hit you with a line like this, “This price does not include the mandatory, and un-waivable, dealership paperwork fee of $550…”?  It’s a sneaky way to grab a little extra cash right at the end, and most people don’t account for it when determining how much it will cost to replace a wrecked car.

Add on the costs of going down to the motor vehicle department, registering, titling, and everything else that it takes to get a vehicle transferred to your name, and those hidden costs can soar into the thousands of dollars.

Costs of Going to Court

Many car accident cases are settled out of court.  But there are those that end up going to court where you will have to be present if you want the full settlement.

How much will that cost in missed work, childcare, and not to mention the emotional toll?  Even if you were merely a witness to someone else’s wreck, you could be called in and incur costs.

Costs of Replacing Broken or Lost Items

Most broken or missing items can be replaced.  If you were driving around with a car full of crystal vases, all of which shattered in the crash, those can be accounted for.

Now consider if they were antique and irreplaceable vases.  Or maybe it was family photos from 100 years ago, and the vehicle caught fire.  Or perhaps your pet was with you and they didn’t survive the wreck.  What is the cost to “replace” those items?

Costs of Rehabilitation

The human body has an amazing ability to regenerate and heal itself.  Imagine if your vehicle was wrapped in a surface that when scratched it scabbed over and repaired itself the same way our skin does?

Minor injuries, like scrapes, don’t require a lot of attention.  But major ones can take years of physical therapy and rehab to restore motor functions of everyday life.  How much time will it take to get there?  Will the insurance company be generous, or try to negate the PT that it’s going to take?

Costs of Mental Healthcare

You don’t have to go to war to suffer from PTSD.  Any traumatic experience can come back and cause mental health issues; even long after that event has passed.

Other mental healthcare necessary after a major car wreck can include anxiety when driving, depression, and more.  These effects can carry into other areas of life if they’re not addressed.

Costs of Unfulfilled Goals and Dreams

Take the life of an avid outdoors man or woman.  They run, hike, climb mountains, paraglide through wild and exotic locations.  Suppose a dream is to summit every state high point in the next few years.  And then they’re paralyzed in a wreck.

What is the cost of those dreams and goals that can never be attained now?  How can those be accounted for?

Herbert Law Group Helps Reduce the Burden of a Car Wreck

After a major car wreck, the hidden costs are always going to be there.  Many people feel that finding a car wreck lawyer will delay their settlement, or even diminish the amount they receive.

A great attorney, like Herbert Law Group serving the as car wreck lawyers for the Dallas area, understands all the costs, what it will take to recover, and how to argue for you so that you can focus on healing.

Let’s chat about what happened and see how the Car Crash Captain can help.  Call the office at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll be in touch for your free initial consultation.