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Most accidents are avoidable. They're caused by people who don't follow the law and act negligently, causing the accident. Studies by the National Safety Council show that there were more than 39,000 motor vehicle deaths in 2019. What's worse, preliminary estimates from the first six months of 2021, compared to 2020, show an increase of 16%, from 18,480 in 2020 to 21,450 in 2021. Predictions from this study could show a potential of more than 40,000 deaths in 2021.
Naturally, every crash has its circumstances that ultimately determine the value of final compensation. How much compensation you receive is based on several of factors. Choosing the best car accident lawyer to represent your best interests is easy to do. Begin by reviewing local lawyer's online ratings. Google Ratings, Avvo, and Facebook all have rating systems that are there to help you choose the law firm to represent them. Make sure you read those reviews, because you need legal representation who will fight for your best interests.
When seeking a car accident lawyer, it's important to locate a professional with trial experience in your state who can easily point to specific settlements and awards in your type of case. For example, a lawyer may focus more on whiplash cases with small awards or a lawyer may focus more on big DUI cases with catastrophic injuries. The latter cases take much more time to conclude, and the law firm must be able to advance all costs of making the case against the defendant's insurance company.
You need to call an lawyer as soon as possible. Insurance companies contact you about your car accident immediately and try to get a verbal settlement from you, try to pay out as little as possible, and prevent you from talking to me, a charleston car accident lawyer. You need an equal opposing force to protect you from these companies. That's where Frank Hartman comes in.
Frank works around the clock as well and knows how to get you the compensation you deserve. He understands the emotions of personal injury, car crashes and trucking accidents and he fights insurance companies for a living.
Choosing the lawyer to represent you in after a car accident has become a lot easier than it used to be. Google Ratings, Avvo and Facebook all have rating systems that are there to help people make good decisions about who they choose to represent them. Make sure you read those reviews because you want someone with experience in handling car and trucking accidents. You want to be sure that the lawyer to represent you in your car or trucking accident has your best interests at heart. You don't want to be just a number or forced into an early settlement for your car accident because that's the first option you get.. You want someone that will get you the maximum payout.
Frank cares about you and your loved ones, your situation and getting justice and the compensation you deserve.
There's nothing worse than being passed off to another lawyer, especially when you're not expecting it. You hired the lawyer you spoke with on the phone about handling your car accident. That's who you're comfortable with and that's who should represent you.
If you need a trial lawyer, your accident lawyer needs to speak to the insurance company, you need Frank Hartman there by your side, standing up for you and your rights.
Frank wants you to be educated in all personal injury matters. If you look at his YouTube channel, you'll see that Frank gives a lot of complimentary legal advice about car and trucking accidents.
Frank provides education about car accidents so people who may not be ready to contact him can get some answers through the videos. If you aren't finding the answers to your questions on the website or the videos, remember that Frank offers a complimentary 20-minute strategy session.
Car accidents often involve powerful physical forces that are capable of causing serious damage to the human body. This is true even in car accident cases in which vehicle occupants are buckled in and the car in which they rode had modern safety features such as multiple airbags to prevent injury in the event of a car accident. Many people involved in severe car accidents are left with life-changing injuries that will result in substantial economic and non-economic losses, making it critical for them to retain a car accident lawyer that makes sure they get the compensation they are legally entitled to from the wreck. Here are some of the more common injuries that people can sustain in a car accident.
People involved in car accidents often suffer broken bones. People break arms, legs, ribs, hips, or even the bones in their face or their head, depending on the circumstances of the car accident. A broken bone is extremely painful, can result in permanent disfigurement, and may require extensive surgery to treat.
In many cases, people who sustain fractured bones miss weeks or months of work. Their injuries may require immobilization of a body part, or parts, for a significant period of time. Even less serious factures can take a long time to heal and result in long-term life complications.
Traumatic brain injuries, often referred to as “TBIs,” occur when a person' hits their head inside the car during the accident, or is struck with force sufficient to result in a disruption of normal brain function. These injuries often occur in car accidents in which a person's heads slams against the dashboard or steering wheel or he or she is ejected from the vehicle. In instances in which the head snaps back and forth on the neck hard enough to rattle the brain within the skull, a TBI (traumatic brain injury) can occur even if the head does not come into contact with another object.
TBIs are capable of causing extremely serious complications, including:
In many car accidents, some vehicles catch fire during or after the car accident, potentially causing extremely serious burns to the people inside them. Burns can be extremely painful, require long-term medical treatment, and leave victims with scarring and disfigurement that can last a lifetime.
Spinal cord injuries are associated with paralysis, paraplegia, quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) and hemiplegia.
Spinal cord injuries occur when physical trauma damages the spinal cord, which is the bundle of nerves that allows the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. They can be categorized into two broad categories, which are as follows:
Incomplete – A spinal cord injury is characterized as “incomplete” when the victim retains some feeling or function below the site of the injury
Complete – In an incomplete spinal cord injury, victims have no sensation or function below the site of the injury
Spinal cord injuries often result in significant long-term problems and victims who are paralyzed often require a lifetime of medical treatment and care.
Most injuries in car accidents result from rear-end collisions. Neck injuries are common in these accidents when head whips forward and back in the classic "whiplash" movement. Injuries can be permanent, depending on the severity of the impact.
Vehicle-related accidents are caused by people who don't follow the law and act negligently.
Yes,
The spine is made up of 33 bones. It can be compared to a stack of Lego, one on top of the other. Each bone has its place. All together, the spinal column support the body.
Bones in the spinal column are supported by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Intervertabral discs sit between the bones in the spine to act as cushions. These discs are filled with a gel-type substance and keep the bones from rubbing together. With all those parts, each one is at risk for being injured in an accident.
Even the smallest accident can disrupt the spine and it's functions.
Discogenic pain is the overall term for spine pain. It is pain that is caused by the discs of the spine. The discs of the spine are the round pieces of cartilage that act as cushions between each spinal bone. If these discs are disruptive, the pain can be unbearable. It affects a persons ability to walk, sit, sleep, bend over and do everyday tasks.
The top back injuries seen after a car accident are:
Whiplash, also known as hyperflexion or hyperextension, occurs when the shoulders, neck, and spine are suddenly whipped past their limits. The forces involved in a collision that causes whiplash can cause damage to the spine, disks within the spine, muscles, ligaments, nerves and surrounding neck tissue. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common cause of whiplash is rear-end collisions in which the driver of the front vehicle experiences the unexpected impact.
Whiplash can manifest immediately or even up to a few months following the injury. Either way, be sure you see a doctor right away after an accident. Even if you are not experiencing pain right away, that does not mean you do not have injuries. Sometimes there is a delayed response to pain. The most common reason for this delayed response to pain is your own body's “flight or fight” mechanism.
Treatment for whiplash depends greatly on the severity of the injury. The primary objective of treatment is to manage pain and promote recovery, including returning to a normal range of motion and returning to normal levels of activity.
A spine fracture occurs when sudden trauma to the spinal column results in the fracturing of the vertebrae along the spine. Unlike typical fractures, such as a broken arm or leg, spine fractures can cause a myriad of symptoms, from pain and numbness to paralysis. When the fragile bones within the spine break, bone fragments can cause damage to the surrounding tissues, nerves, and spinal cord.
The types and severity of spine fracture symptoms are largely based on the degree of injury. Common symptoms include:
According to the Mayfield Brain and Spine Clinic, the most common cause of spine fractures is being involved in a car accident, accounting for 45% of all such injuries. These injuries occur when the force of impact from an accident causes the spine to compress, twist, or move in a way that it is not intended. The pressure and shock of these movements result in the bones of the spine being crushed or snapped.
The range of types and severity of spine fractures affect the recovery period. In some cases, severe injury can be permanent. If bone fragments cause damage to the spinal cord, the effects can often be permanent.
Pain related to spine fractures can take anywhere from days or weeks to three or more months. Much of the recovery period time frame is dependent on swelling of joints and tissue surrounding the fractured vertebrae. With treatment by anti-inflammatory medicine, the recovery period can be reduced greatly.
Immediately following an accident, you should always be seen by a medical practitioner as soon as possible. Depending on the severity or types of injuries sustained in an accident, your doctor may prescribe a number of tests to check for many types of possible injuries.
The most common methods for determining whether fractures have occurred in the spine are X-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or Computed Tomography (CT) Scan. Radiographic imaging is the best way to see bone fractures, and the procedures are non-invasive and safe, greatly reducing the possibilities for further aggravation of the affected areas.
Whiplash can manifest immediately or even up to a few months following the injury. Either way, be sure you see a doctor right away after an accident. Even if you are not experiencing pain right away, that does not mean you do not have injuries. Sometimes there is a delayed response to pain. The most common reason for this delayed response to pain is your own body's “flight or fight” mechanism.
A wide range of spinal treatments is available for spine fractures. Traditional treatments can include the use of orthotic back and spine braces, minimally invasive procedures to treat compression, and more invasive surgery.
Spondylolisthesis is a condition which results from the vertebrae in the spine sliding over one another. This sliding often results in compression of the nerves and spinal cord, causing further complications such as pain, loss of bowel and bladder control, numbness, and weakness. This condition most commonly occurs in the lower back, though it can occur anywhere along the spine.
The most common symptoms of any back injury is pain. Spondylolisthesis is no exception. Symptoms include:
In some cases, there may be no symptoms of this condition. This is why it is so important to go see a doctor immediately after an accident.
Radiographic imaging is the most common method for diagnosing this condition. This includes X-rays, CT Scans, and MRI's.
The treatments for spondylolisthesis are in the same range as those for other back injuries. Immobilization and pain management are the most common treatments for less severe cases. In the event of more traumatic injuries, doctors may prescribe surgical procedures. Treatments may include:
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the channel that the spinal cord resides in. With regard to auto accidents, this condition typically results from compression of the vertebrae. Again, the forces involved in an accident can result in the spinal column being compressed, which can result in the crushing of the vertebrae and narrowing of the spinal channel.
There are two characterizations of spinal stenosis which are based on where the injury and symptoms occur. When it occurs in the lower back it is known as Lumbar Stenosis. When it occurs in the neck it is known as Cervical Spine Stenosis.
In several cases of spinal stenosis it is common for there to be no symptoms at all. On the other hand, symptoms can be severe and debilitating. These can include:
There is a range of severity of spinal stenosis and, therefore, there is a range of treatments. In less severe cases, your doctor may only prescribe a certain regimen of exercise or a reduction in certain activities. However, more severe conditions may require surgery for remediation. Treatments of this condition can include the following.
A herniated disc is usually described as one of the worst pains a person can experience. It can involve several different types of pain from shooting pain, sharp pains, numbness and tingling. It is not usually just one type of pain but many because the nerves are being affected. It can radiate down to the toes, through the fingers, up into the neck or just be a localized pain.
That being said, if you feel pain in your chest, arms, neck and/or jaw, please call 9-1-1 as these are also signs of a heart condition.
Most people opt to have the least invasive procedures first when they have a herniated disc. If those don't work, they take the more invasive treatments as a secondary course of action. It is always best to get as many opinions as possible and do what you feel is right for you.
Depending on the amount of damage you have and your chosen course of action, treatment for herniated discs can be from 3 months to life long. Again, everyone is different and some treatments work for some but not others. (Webmd)
Chiropractic care Physical Therapy Massage Accupressue Over the counter pain relievers Home remedies What are some home remedies for herniated discs? Heating pad Ice pack Adding a feather bed Add a board under your mattress Spa tub or jaccuzi Floating in a pool Warm wet compresses Back support brace Vibration Topical Remedies What are some topical herbal remedies for herniated discs? There are topicals like Tiger Balm, Capzasin, Icy Hot, Aspercream, Eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, and menthol infused patches Herbal Remedies What are some herbal remedies for herniated discs? Feverfew, tumeric, devil's claw, ginseng, kava kava, valerian root Exercise Weight Loss Rest Anti-flammatory diet What is an anti-inflammatory diet? Green leafy vegetables, healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, cage-free eggs, grass-fed meats and fish. Meditation Biofeedback What is biofeedback? Biofeedback is a non-invasive therapy that uses your own mind to control your body. It is usually in association with relaxation and meditation What kinds of biofeedback are there? Guided biofeedback is like meditation where the messaging is telling you to control what is ailing you Thermal biofeedback attaches sensors to the body. It is the goal of the therapist to get the patient to the point that they can control their own body temperature and thereby control their own pain responses. Electromyography biofeedback uses electronics to reinforce thoughts and/or behaviors through auditory and visual signals. This will give positive reinforcement to control body functions. EEG Biofeedback uses brain waves to evaluate how a person responds to a stimuli and then the therapist will assign techniques to help with the triggers to that stimuli (in this case, pain) One thing to keep in mind, just because it is natural, does not mean it is safe. Always consult your doctor before trying anything, even something as seemingly harmless as a heating pad could make your condition worsen. If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto collision, contact your Charleston car accident lawyer, Frank Hartman. Don't talk to anyone else until you've spoken with an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer.
We don't spread ourselves thin practicing all types of law. Our car wreck lawyer in Charleston SC focuses on very specific personal injury and vehicle accidents. It has allowed us to gain the experience needed for every type of situation possible. If you are still curious as to how good we are, please look at our Google feedback
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