Car accidents have a profound impact on a person’s life, from physical health to mental well-being and financial stability. Apart from debilitating physical pain and injuries, many car accident victims also go through emotional and psychological trauma, disruption to their daily lives and personal relationships, as well as property damage. Car accident injuries can range from mild to catastrophic and cause a great deal of harm to the injured persons.
Having handled countless car accident claims and lawsuits, our attorneys Kevin and Peter at DFW Injury Lawyers understand how to bring in the muscle to fight responsible parties. We are dedicated to helping car accident victims get the best possible compensation for their injuries. The legal system may be complex and intimidating, but we are always prepared to fight tirelessly in your favor.
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Key Takeaways
- Car accidents significantly impact the lives of the injured persons and their loved ones.
- The most common and devastating causes of car crash injuries are head-on collisions, rollover accidents, side impact accidents, and rear-end collisions.
- If you are injured in a car accident, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement.
Car Accident Injury Lawyer Near Me
DFW Injury Lawyers serves the North Texas area with primary locations in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington.
Our principal office is in Dallas at 1341 W. Mockingbird Ln., Ste. 580W, just a short distance from Dallas Love Field Airport and accessible by public transport. You can contact us anytime at 972-440-2320 or we can come to you.
Are Car Accidents Common?
Car accidents are, unfortunately, all too common, with millions occurring worldwide every year. A car crash is reported to be the leading cause of death in the US for individuals aged one to 54 years. The frequency of car accidents depends on factors like population density, traffic volume, road conditions, and traffic law enforcement.
According to the Department of Transportation data, one person was injured every two minutes and nine seconds, while one person was killed every hour and 57 minutes in Texas in 2022. Car accidents are commonly reported in urban centers and busy intersections. However, Texas freeways and rural areas are also susceptible to road accidents due to high-speed driving that makes it difficult to maneuver or stop vehicles at short notice.
What Are the Top 5 Causes of Car Accidents?
Driving in Texas’ big cities can be a stressful experience, given the frequency of accidents reported in local news. Our state has a reputation for road accidents due to factors like:
- Distracted or inattentive driving, like using a cell phone, talking, or eating while driving
- Reckless driving or without regard to others’ safety by swerving through lanes, ignoring traffic signs, or driving at dangerous speeds
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Failing to maintain vehicles or hidden defects/engine failures
- Poor weather conditions, especially during winter
While we can’t always stop someone else from causing a car accident, we can prevent substantial injuries and fatalities through regular car maintenance, defensive driving techniques, and precautionary measures like wearing seatbelts or avoiding being on the road during poor weather conditions.
“Everyone seems to be distracted while driving these days. Whether it is texting, scrolling or talking on cell phones or operating in-vehicle technology, people are simply not paying attention when driving. So, it is imperative to stay alert and drive defensively so that you can help avoid collisions and the injuries that result.” — Founding Partner Kevin Edwards
Common Causes of Car Crash Injuries
Texas is often ranked at the top of the list of states with high car crash rates. It has gained such notoriety due to its extensive road networks, large population, and hazardous weather conditions, all of which increase the likelihood of car collisions.
Apart from minor fender benders (some of which cause serious health conditions), most serious car accident injuries happen due to:
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Side-impact accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Failure to wear a seatbelt
- Equipment failure
- Young children riding in the front seat without a proper booster seat to adjust their weight
Common Car Crash Injuries
Car accidents can lead to both minor and severe injuries due to the sudden and forceful impact of the collision. While the severity of injuries depends on things like speed, vehicle safety features, contact with interior car surfaces, and broken glass/flying debris, they almost always come up with some degree of pain and trauma. The most common car crash injuries include:
Motor vehicle accidents can lead to both minor and severe injuries due to the sudden and forceful impact of the collision. While the severity of injuries depends on things like speed, vehicle safety features, contact with interior car surfaces, and broken glass/flying debris, they almost always come up with some degree of pain and trauma. The most common injuries associated with car crashes include:
- Brain injuries and head trauma: Severe impacts or penetrating injuries can cause concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other forms of head injury, potentially leading to long-term cognitive impairment.
- Neck injuries: Sudden jerking motions during collisions often result in neck sprains, strains, or more serious cervical spine damage and other significant neck injuries.
- Back injuries: The force of impact can cause herniated discs, sprains, fractures in the spine, and other back injuries that lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord from severe trauma can result in partial or complete loss of sensation and motor function below the injury site.
- Paralysis: Severe spinal cord injuries in car accidents may lead to partial or complete paralysis, affecting limb function and quality of life.
- Loss of limbs: Severe crushing injuries or lacerations in high-impact collisions can necessitate amputation of limbs.
- Severe burns: Vehicle fires or contact with hot surfaces during accidents can cause deep tissue damage and disfiguring burns.
- Whiplash: Rapid back-and-forth movement of the head and neck during rear-end collisions often results in soft tissue injuries to the neck, known as whiplash.
- Broken bones and fractures: The impact force in car accidents frequently causes bone fractures, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Internal injuries: The violent forces of a car crash can damage vital organs, leading to serious and potentially deadly consequences, especially if the injuries are not immediately noticed or diagnosed.
- Chest injuries: Car accident victims often complain of chest injuries, such as burns and bruises from airbag deployment and broken ribs.
- Internal bleeding: Blunt force trauma can rupture blood vessels and organs, leading to potentially life-threatening internal hemorrhaging.
- Abrasions: Contact with various surfaces during a crash can cause skin abrasions, ranging from minor scrapes to severe road rash.
- Organ damage: The forceful impact of a collision can cause blunt trauma to internal organs, potentially leading to ruptures or other serious injuries.
What is Considered a Serious Injury In a Car Accident?
The most serious of injuries change a person’s life instantly, and often require immediate as well as long-term medical treatment. Many severe car crash injuries lead to temporary or permanent disability, scarring, disfigurement, and loss of limbs. Car accidents that involve significant force can cause catastrophic injuries, such as spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, organ damage, paralysis, facial trauma, and third-degree burns.
Mental health is often overlooked in car accident cases. A car accident victim and their loved ones can acquire mental illnesses that impact their overall quality of life and ability to function due to anxiety attacks, sleep disorders, substance abuse, survivor’s guilt, depression, and other symptoms of car crash trauma.
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What Are Minor Injuries In a Car Accident?
Minor injuries usually impact a person in the short term and involve less property damage. Examples of minor car accidents are rear-end collisions with other vehicles that result in minor bruises and cuts, fractures, whiplash, muscle strains and sprains, and emotional distress.
How Long After a Car Accident Can Injuries Appear?
Injuries from a car accident can appear immediately after the collision, or may take hours, days, or even weeks to become apparent. This is because adrenaline levels in the body surge during an accident, often masking pain and other symptoms, or a person may experience delayed onset injuries like concussions, back pain, and numbness. Regardless of the severity of the car accident, it is important to get yourself checked by a doctor so you can get properly diagnosed and treated. You might also need to work with a local chiropractor and other experts for a complete recovery.
Financial Injury After a Car Accident
Car accident injuries can have a significant financial impact, often resulting in substantial financial harm. These losses can include not only lost wages but also lost benefits, missed promotions, and diminished earning capacity. The inability to work due to injury can create financial strain, making it difficult to cover medical expenses and other daily living costs.
If you or a loved one has suffered a car accident injury, it is essential to document all income losses carefully. Keep records of missed workdays, reduced hours, and any changes in job responsibilities or pay rates due to the injury. Recovering compensation for these losses can help alleviate the daunting financial burdens.
Car crash injuries can quickly drain your bank account and your resources, and the financial stress they cause can worsen your injuries and slow your recovery, a condition known as “financial toxicity.”
According to one recent study published by the National Library of Medicine, “financial toxicity following injury is extremely common and is associated with worse psychological and physical outcomes.” Researchers studied hundreds of patients and found that 88% of the subjects suffered from financial toxicity in the year following their injuries.
An experienced Texas car accident attorney can help you navigate the complex process of seeking compensation for income losses. They can assist in gathering the necessary documentation, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing your interests in court if needed. By working with an experienced legal professional, you can maximize your chances of receiving the full compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on healing and rebuilding your life after a car accident.
Dr. Saed Abusaad, chiropractor at Care Plus Pain and Injury, shares his expertise on the matter, “After an accident, your physical injuries are oftentimes not seen and the injuries you sustain inside your body may not be felt until well after the accident. Hence the importance of seeing a doctor for an exam and diagnostic imaging to confirm the pain you are experiencing and to begin a medical plan to recovery.”
Care Plus Pain and Injury has office locations in Garland, Irving, Mesquite, Oak Cliff, Plano and Fort Worth.
What Happens If You Are Injured In a Car Accident?
After a car accident, your health and well-being should be your top priority. Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of proving liability and getting fairly compensated for your injuries:
- Report the car accident and cooperate with the police
- Take photos and videos of the accident and the scene of the accident
- Collect contact info from the other party and eyewitnesses
- Get an immediate medical check-up following the accident
- Preserve all medical reports, diagnoses, medical bills, and related receipts
- Keep a thorough record of injuries as well as your progress working with your chiropractor or other rehabilitation expert
Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen?
Accidents can happen anywhere in Texas, but are more likely in busy cities like Dallas and Fort Worth. Within urban areas, there are also certain roads notorious for being particularly prone to car wrecks. For example, Interstate 30 and I-35 have some of the highest accident rates in Dallas. A good rule of thumb is to remain extra vigilant while driving through intersections, highways, and congested roads.
How Much Are Car Accident Settlements?
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for calculating car accident settlement amounts, nor is there a set amount a person can receive. A car accident verdict/settlement offer is based on multiple factors like the severity and impact of the collision and the extent of losses incurred.
If you are wondering how to calculate a car accident settlement, you may want to speak to a skilled attorney who understands how car accident cases work and can work with you to maximize your payout. When it comes to settlement amounts, elements like the victim’s recovery or rehabilitation time, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, the necessity for long-term care, and the overall effect of the accident can sway the needle toward a larger amount. At the same time, certain things can diminish a car accident settlement, like contributory negligence, delayed medical treatment, or insufficient evidence.
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Kevin L. Edwards
Founder
Attorney Kevin Edwards is a co-founder of DFW Injury lawyers. During his law school tenure, Mr. Edwards worked for a prominent local personal injury attorney, where he gained valuable pre-litigation, litigation, courtroom, and trial experience in lawsuits involving car wrecks, commercial trucking wrecks, medical malpractice, premises liability and catastrophic injury. Following his graduation from law school, Mr. Edwards joined a high-volume civil litigation/insurance defense firm in Dallas, Texas, where he defended corporations, insurance companies, employers, trucking companies, and numerous businesses and individuals throughout the State of Texas. After approximately five years on the defense side of the docket, Mr. Edwards had seen enough of the corporate and insurance company greed. In 2008, Mr. Edwards moved across the courtroom aisle to help plaintiffs whom he had seen from experience suffer real, and often times, debilitating injuries and were deserving of compensation. Over the last 15 years, Mr. Edwards has dedicated his practice to helping those who have been injured or harmed by the negligence, malfeasance, and/or recklessness of others. He has represented thousands of victims in personal injury matters, defective products cases, and mass tort litigations against medical device and pharmaceutical companies.
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