What are Some of the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?

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injuries form car accidentDepending on the severity of the crash, auto accident injuries can be devastating.

Even in a fender-bender, you can suffer debilitating trauma and need months to recover — if, in fact, you’re able to get back to your prior level of functioning at all. If you’re in a more serious accident, the results can be even more catastrophic.

We strongly recommend that you contact an experienced car accident attorney if you have suffered any of the following:

Whiplash

This is one of the car accident injuries you hear about most frequently, and for good reason. Whiplash injuries occur when the victim suffers a forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement to the neck, and is usually associated with rear-end collisions.

Concussions

Don’t make the mistake of ignoring any significant trauma to the head when you have been in a car accident. Remember, all concussions are indeed something to worry about – they’re brain injuries which always need to be checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Knee, hip and thigh injuries

Collisions often mean that things from the front of the car – such as steering wheels and dashboards – can slam into those sitting in the driver and front passenger seat. In these cases, knees, hips and thighs often suffer the brunt of the impact, leading to long-term rehabilitation and in some cases, amputation.

Spinal cord injuries

Injuries to the back and spinal cord can be some of the worst a victim can suffer in a car accident. The pain associated with these injuries can be excruciating, and injury victims often face permanent disabilities. Among these are full and partial paralysis, which can lead to a lifetime of unexpected costs and broken dreams.

Need to file a claim for your car accident injuries?

Car accident lawsuits are often more complex than they first appear. The world of courtrooms, insurance companies, and formal legalities can be overwhelming if you’re not used to it. Let our firm fight for you.

For a free case evaluation, contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk 24 hours a day at 1-800-753-5203.

 

What Happens if You Don’t Get a Car Accident Injury Lawyer

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car accident injury lawyerYou’ve been in a bad auto accident, and times are tough. The medical bills are piling up, you’ve been out of work for weeks or months, and you’re wondering how you’re going to make ends meet.

You know that filing a legal claim is your best bet for the compensation you need to recover, and you are considering pursuing a claim on your own. After all, with all your financial problems, you can’t afford to hire an attorney, can you?

Actually, a better question to ask may be “Can you afford not to hire an attorney?” Below are just a few of the negative outcomes of failing to secure a skilled auto accident lawyer:

You may lose time.

A lawyers who knows the ins and outs of courtrooms, legal rules, government officials, and insurance company policies can save you a lot of time. They understand how to cut through the jargon and complex bureaucratic mazes to fight for your rights in an efficient manner.

You may lose your chance for compensation.

If the world were a perfect place, an accident victim would be treated the same way as a lawyer when it came to the world of insurance claims and courtrooms. But unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world.

The truth of the matter is that insurance companies and defense attorneys are much more likely to take you seriously with a lawyer by your side. If fact, studies show that victims who hire attorneys consistently walk away with more compensation than those who don’t.

No matter how deserving you are or how much evidence there is of the other party’s liability, there is a good chance that you may lose your case if you don’t know how to pursue a personal injury claim effectively.

If you do not hire an attorney, you may forfeit any chance you had at receiving the compensation you need for recovery and for putting your life back together.

You need a car accident injury lawyer from an experienced firm!

Abrahamson & Uiterwyk won’t charge you a dime unless they win or settle your case.  It’s as close to risk-free as you can get!  For a complimentary case evaluation, contact our Abrahamson & Uiterwyk 24 hours a day at 1-800-753-5203.

Understanding Car Accident Liability: What Victims Wish You Knew

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car accident liabityIt’s safe to say that car accident victims probably wish they could go back in time and prevent their accident from occurring. If that were possible, they could have saved themselves a great deal of pain, frustration, stress, heartache, and financial loss.

Unfortunately, since no one can go back in time, all we can do is pick up the pieces and move forward. The following are some of the lessons car accident victims learned along their journey:

Drive safely

Although you can’t account for what others will do, you can be as responsible as possible on the road. This will decrease the likelihood of any type of accident. Often this means obeying speed limits, not operating a vehicle while distracted or intoxicated, and always driving defensively.

Get medical attention

Get any medical attention you need, including both emergency care after the accident and whatever follow-up your physician recommends. Remember, nothing is more important than your health. Secondly, seeking medical care for your injuries can play a key role in protecting your rights after an accident.

Document the accident

Take notes, jot down numbers, get photographs, obtain police and witness reports, and collect information that indicates what the accident will cost you. This can include medical bills, car repair expenses, and time lost from work.

Hire a lawyer

Don’t trust the other driver, their insurance company, or even your insurance company when it comes to getting fair compensation. Although they may all seem compassionate and sympathetic to your case, their primary goal is to minimize your payout as much as possible. A focused, aggressive attorney, on the other hand, puts his or her main focus on maximizing your payout and fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Put our experienced Tampa car accident attorneys

to work for you!

If you’ve been in a crash, you should know that car accident liability is a very complicated matter. For a free case evaluation, contact the firm of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk. Our staff is happy to speak to you 24 hours a day – just call 1-800-753-5203.

The Statute of Limitations: How to File a Lawsuit for Your Slip and Fall

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file a slip and fall lawsuitSo you’ve slipped and fallen on someone else’s property.

Maybe it was a neighbor’s icy steps, or a cracked floor inside a local store. Regardless, you may have severe injuries, unpaid medical bills, time lost from work, and serious pain and suffering.

You’re thinking of filing a lawsuit, and wondering if you should get it started now, or wait until you’re feeling better.

In almost every situation, it’s best to get started on your claim right away. There are many reasons why, but an important one is something called “the statute of limitations.”

What is the statute of limitations?

The statute of limitations refers to the specific amount of time during which a claim can be brought to the court’s attention. The amount of time can differ depending on the type of claim (a slip and fall as opposed to a car accident), as well as what state the claim is made in.

Why do we have a statute of limitations?

The statute of limitations exists because, without it, the courts would be overburdened with cases. The statute seeks to resolve all claims within a timely period.

How does the statute of limitations affect my claim?

The most important thing to remember is that the statute of limitations in your state restricts the amount of time you have to file a claim. Once the statute has expired, you won’t be able to pursue the matter via litigation or settlement.

This is true no matter how much you deserve compensation, no matter how much you need it, and no matter how strong the evidence is that the other party is liable.

This is why it’s always recommended that you pursue a claim as early as possible, even if you are still recovering from the accident. In fact, resolving your case swiftly may even help you get the compensation you need to recover!

Turn to our experienced Tampa slip and fall lawyers for help!

If you have questions about how to file a lawsuit, a knowledgeable attorney is the person to turn to. The laws surrounding these types of cases – including the statute of limitations – can be complex. For a free case evaluation, contact the firm of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk 24 hours a day – call 1-800-753-5203.

 

 

What are Some Common Injuries Caused by a Slip and Fall Accident?

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slip and fall accidentsIf you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident, you know that the resulting injuries can be anything but minor. Some are so severe they require you to be out of work for several weeks – or even months.

In fact, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the U.S., and are responsible for almost nine million emergency room visits annually.

If you’re like many fall victims, your long-term rehabilitation can be expensive. One study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that the medical cost of falls adds up to $30 billion a year. Look below to see if you have suffered one or more of the more common slip and fall injurie:

Sprains and fractures

Twisted knees, ankles, and other joints and limbs occur frequently during a fall – this often occurs when a person is trying to catch themselves from falling. Broken bones are often the result of landing on a hard surface.

Common injury sites include the wrist, hand, forearm, upper arm, ankle, and leg. Falls can be especially tough on older adults who may be injured more severely and generally take longer to recover.

Shoulder injuries

Shoulder dislocation, or a “brachial plexus injury,” is another common slip and fall accident injury. Additionally, if your shoulder is pushed down forcefully in a fall at the same time your head is pushed up, nerves can be painfully stretched or torn.

Hip fractures

Hip fractures are common injuries among older adults who suffer falls, and are a leading cause of emergency room admissions and long-term care placement among the elderly.

In addition to the surgery and hospitalization it often takes a long time to recover from a hip fracture. In some cases, it may take weeks or months and at times rehabilitation in a dedicated facility may also be necessary.

Back and spinal cord injuries

Many times, slipped and herniated discs are another unfortunate result of slip and fall accidents. The lingering pain and lack of mobility that follows this type of injury can be life-changing. In worst-case scenarios, accident victims may be partially or fully paralyzed due to damage to the spinal cord.

Let us investigate your slip and fall accident

As experienced Clearwater slip and fall accident attorneys, we know firsthand how debilitating these injuries can be. If you were harmed due to a property owner’s negligence, you need experienced help – and fast.

For a free case evaluation, contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk 24 hours a day – just call 1-800-753-5203.

What are Some Easy Ways to Avoid a Collision and Potentially Costly Car Accident Lawsuit?

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auto accident lawsuitWhen we first start out driving, we’re often vigilant about our surroundings and how we handle our car. Hyperaware might be an even better word. After all, we want to pass that driver’s test and finally stop begging our parents for rides, don’t we?

But as the years go by, we tend to let things slide a bit. We don’t glance as long over our shoulder when pulling into traffic. We routinely go over the speed limit because, hey, everybody does it, right?

Even though it’s human nature to get a bit lax once in a while, the results can be dangerous – and even deadly. Take a look below for a quick “refresher course” on how to prevent an accident.

Maintain your car

Accident prevention often starts with keeping your car in good shape. This includes regular oil changes, fluid top-ups (including brake and steering fluid), checking for worn brake pads, and any other recommended maintenance. If your car needs repair, try to get to it as soon as possible.

Don’t tailgate

Give other vehicles plenty of room when you are on the road. Following the vehicle in front of you too closely is a classic recipe for a rear-end collision and potentially a car accident lawsuit.

Don’t ride in the left lane

Remember – the left lane of a highway is for passing, not driving. Also, it’s easier to pull over or avoid a collision the closer you are to the shoulder. In fact, the majority of accidents occur in the left lane.

Keep scanning

Rather than just staring straight ahead while driving, your eyes should be constantly scanning the road. This increases the time you’ll have to react should a problem arise. You’ll also be less likely to rear end the car in front of you.

Drive with your hands at “9 and 3”

Remember how they said to keep your hands at the 9 and 3 o’clock position in driving school? Yeah — that still applies, mostly so you have as much control over the vehicle as possible if you have to maneuver around an obstacle quickly.

If you were in an accident,

you may need an experienced Tampa car accident attorney!

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, you can still be in a serious car accident.  Contact the firm of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk. We’ll evaluate your case for free – call 1-800-753-5203 24 hours a day.

 

5 Distracted Driving Myths that Simply Aren’t True

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myths about distracted drivingThink you know everything there is to know about distracted driving? Check out these myths and we’ll see if that’s true:

Myth #1: It’s legal. Actually, in an attempt to cut down on accidents, more municipalities are making laws against doing anything other than driving while you’re, well, driving!

Myth #2: Everybody does it. Not so. Just because texting and driving accidents, for instance, are a prevalent problem doesn’t mean everyone engages in distracted driving behaviors. Be sure to take the proper precautions while on the road. This is not only to protect others, but you as well.

Myth #3: A couple of seconds won’t hurt. You don’t have to be distracted for several minutes to cause an accident. A fraction of a second is all it takes for terrible, avoidable crashes to cause severe injuries – or destroy lives.

Myth #4: You can safely multitask while driving. Despite the focus on multitasking in our present culture, many studies have shown that human beings are, in fact, very bad at it. Without your full concentration, you will likely perform simultaneous tasks poorly. And if there’s one task that demands and deserves your complete attention, it’s operating a 4,000-pound car.

Myth #5: You can’t be held liable in an accident. In many states, distracted driving is considered a form of reckless driving, which can be prosecuted. But another thing to bear in mind is that prosecution is just the criminal side of it. You can also have a civil lawsuit brought against you for any harm you cause. You may end up paying for damages, injuries, or even a wrongful death.

Make no mistake about it: distracted driving is a bad, bad idea. Don’t take the chance; put down your phone, makeup, or fast-food purchase and arrive at your destination safely.

Talk to an experienced Clearwater car accident lawyer

Were you injured because someone fell prey to these distracted driving myths? If so, our firm may be able to help.  Contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk 24 hours a day / 7 days a week at 1-800-753-5203.  Call us today for a free evaluation.

 

7 Important Things to Do After a Car Accident

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car accident what to doYou’ve been in a serious car accident, and you’re shaken. You’re grateful for having survived, but now your mind is a whirl of confusion, questions, and concerns.

What if you have sustained potentially serious injuries that they do not appear right away, like whiplash?

What if the other driver denies responsibility for the crash, and you’re worried they won’t pay for damages?

These concerns and fears are perfectly normal. If you take a look below, you’ll get a head start on orienting yourself by taking several key steps after a car accident.

Car accident must-do’s

  1. Attend to any injuries. Your first concern is your physical safety and well-being. If you are able, call an ambulance and ask to be taken to the emergency room if necessary.
  2. Call the police. It’s always a good idea to have the police at the scene immediately after a bad traffic accident.
  3. Get the other driver’s registration and insurance information. Make sure you carefully document the name, phone number, address, drivers’ license number, license plate numbers, and similar information from the other driver (or drivers) involved.
  4. Gather the names and contact information of any witnesses. Any bystanders who saw the accident firsthand may play an important part in insurance claims or litigation.
  5. Snap pictures of your car and the scene of the accident.  If you feel up to it, taking photos of your injuries – or having someone else do so for you – can serve as evidence in a lawsuit. They can also serve as a basis for what your insurance pays if you file a claim.
  6. Tell your insurance company about the accident. Be prompt in notifying your insurance company, as any delays can also mean delays in your compensation you might be able to receive.
  7. Call an experienced attorney. Talk to a lawyer who focuses only on personal injury cases. Your accident claim may be worth far more than you realize.

Talk to an experienced St. Petersburg accident lawyer

Would you like more information about what to do after a car accident? Our firm may be able to help. Contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk 24 hours a day / 7 days a week at 1-800-753-5203. Call us today for a free evaluation of your case.  

 

 

Why Dog Bites are So Common and How to Avoid Them. From a Lawyer for Dog Bites

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lawyer for dog bitesAccording to insurers and medical facilities, dog bite claims and hospitalizations are on the rise across the country. Why are these preventable tragedies increasing, and what can you do to avoid becoming a victim? Read on to find out.

Top reasons for dog bites

  1. Strangers approaching the dog. In many situations, this is unavoidable, such as when a postal worker or delivery person must come onto private property in making their rounds. In other circumstances, guests are seriously injured in dog attacks by someone’s pet that is poorly trained or simply out of control.

 

If a protective dog isn’t used to seeing a person on a daily basis, they may interpret them as an intruder and a threat, plain and simple.

  1. Predatory instinct. Like all hunters, dogs naturally have a drive to chase prey. This instinct is often activated when they see a runner or cyclist going past. Many times, these individuals can’t move quickly enough to get away from the dog, either because the dog is faster, or because the terrain (such as hills or wet, slippery roads) makes it impossible.
  2. Because of irresponsible owners. This is very likely the number one reason for dog bites across the county. When dogs are untrained, unrestrained, and unsupervised, it’s a recipe for disaster – even if the dog has never bitten someone before. Leaving a dog alone and untethered in a yard – or worse, allowed to roam free – puts the general public at risk.

 

If you don’t want to be a victim of a dog bite, try to avoid approaching dogs you don’t know. If a dog starts to chase you, stand still and face the dog, but do not make eye contact. If the dog knocks you over, curl up in a ball and cover your head with your hands. Finally, if you were bitten by a dog with an irresponsible owner, consider contacting an attorney and pursuing compensation for your injuries.

Talk to an experienced lawyer for dog bites

Would you like more information about Florida dog bite laws? Our firm may be able to help. Contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk 24 hours a day / 7 days a week at 1-800-753-5203. Call us today for a free evaluation.    

 

Safety Tips for Elderly Drivers: Senior Citizens vs. Teenagers – A Study in Senior Driving Safety

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tips for senior driving safetyPeople are seniors at least twice in their life.

People are “seniors” after their final year of education, and again in their mature years of life.

Ironically, these two stages of life can represent very different stages of an individual’s driving career, with each respective stage involving very different concerns about driving capabilities.

Comparing the Seniors (Citizens) and the Seniors (Teenagers)

Unlike the cruising and hot-rodding teenager, senior citizen drivers bring a lifetime of driving experience and knowledge to the automobile table. Stability. Wisdom. Experience. Yet the other side of this coin involves physical and mental related changes that can also impact senior driving ability.

The good news? There are several things senior citizens can do to heighten competence, awareness, and safety behind the wheel – and, perhaps to no one’s great surprise, it’s generally the opposite of what the other type of seniors (hereinafter referred to as “teenagers”) are doing!

General Safe Senior Driving Tips

  • Seniors: Avoid high traffic times, particularly the morning, lunch and evening commute shifts. Teens have time restrictions when they first start driving, primarily to avoid the nighttime hours.
  • Seniors: Best to limit their trips to places closer to home. A great idea for seniors who typically travel to the same places, i.e., grocery store, church, pharmacy and friends’ homes. On the other hand, teenagers know no boundaries traveling everywhere on the search for, well, only they would know.
  • Guidelines state that the standard distance between your vehicle and the car ahead is one car length per every 10 mph you’re traveling. (Example: 40 mph = follow four car lengths.) Increase this distance to compensate for slower reaction times, allowing ample space to brake safely or stop when necessary.

Staying Alert Behind the Wheel

  • Distractions are the cause or contributing factor in 25 to 50 percent of all collisions. Limit distracting noise inside the senior’s vehicle including radio, passenger conversation, and cellphone use. There is, however, not much we can do about teens who blast music so loudly that it is shared with the world – even when everyone’s windows are rolled up.
  • Loss of hearing means a muting of all traffic sounds. Elderly drivers may experience this hearing decline due to physical aging; teenagers experience the loss with blaring music, cell phone talk and raucous passenger behavior. The latter group needs to compensate by turning everything down a notch or two. The elderly drivers can compensate with a hearing aid or through their vision – consciously watching in their rearview mirrors to check traffic flow while watching for the flashing lights of emergency vehicles.

Visibility Issues to Consider

  • Nighttime driving means more limited elderly driver safetyvisibility for all drivers. Rising age eventually impacts reaction times. With both these factors in play, it may be more prudent for seniors to avoid nighttime driving as much as possible. For teens, they’re typically getting ready to go out when the rest of us are coming in.
  • Some elderly drivers lose a little height with age. Be sure your driver’s seat is raised high enough for as clear a view of the road as possible. Sit on a small pillow if necessary. The same process should be followed by teens who would need additional assistance to have a clear view over their dashboard.
  • Fair weather or not, always having your headlights on can be a good move as it increases your visibility to others.
  • Drive on familiar streets. If traveling to an uncommon destination, use a GPS that verbally gives you directions as you drive. Reading directions or reading a map is another unneeded distraction that can contribute to car accidents and collisions.
  • Keeping your windshield, headlights and mirror clean are simple and easy ways to improve driver visibility – for all ages.
  • Keep windshield wiper blades in proper working condition. Nearly all car manufacturers recommend replacement every six months, but given Florida’s climate and precipitation, Trico, an online wiper blade store, maintains that replacement every nine to twelve months is sufficient. However, driving habits can also affect this timeframe.
  • Periodic vision and hearing screenings are always a good idea but become even more important the older we get. Changes in sight and hearing become more dramatic, so shorten the time in-between screenings to keep up with any necessary adjustments. Once a Florida senior reaches 80 years of age, licenses are renewed every 6 years with a mandatory vision test at the Department of Motor Vehicles office.

Consider Using Public Transportation

  • Public transportation is a wonderful thing. It’s there when seniors become unsure of their driving abilities; it’s there when teens don’t yet have a car. Regardless, there are options for folks to get around town and good circumstances to exercise these options.

Utilize Car Safety Features

  • Florida redefines what it means to be hot, tempting car owners to tint windows for deflection of the sun’s intense rays. It is suggested that elderly drivers who have vision problems should keep window tinting to a lighter shade or not tint at all. Teenagers darken the windows in their cars to follow the latest trend.
  • Seniors: Drive a car with an automatic transmission, if possible. With automatic transmissions, fewer things to attend to equals greater focus and alertness on other aspects of senior driving. In most cases, many teens won’t know how to use a manual transmission.
  • Always wear a seat belt. It’s, the law. In Florida, all passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt. Passengers in the back seat 18 and younger must wear a seat belt or otherwise be restraint by a child car seat.

Drive Carefully in Inclement Weather

  • The number of collisions goes up in inclement weather, which can be particularly treacherous for both seniors and teens. Whether rain, hail, snowstorms, ice or fog, poorer weather can greatly impair driver vision and hinder car performance. Throw in slower reaction times and driver inexperience, and it becomes safe to say that sometimes it’s just better to stay home to avoid hazardous conditions and courting disaster.

Stay Alert Behind the Wheel

  • senior car tipsApproximately 100,000 accidents are caused by fatigued or sleepy drivers. No one should drive if feeling tired, lightheaded or stressed.
  • Some medications impair driving skills. Since seniors usually take more than one prescription medication, impairment can be multiplied. Polypharmacy (prescription of multiple prescription drugs) is becoming a growing issue among seniors. Between 1993 and 2010, the number of drivers with three or more drugs in their system has nearly doubled from 11.5 to 21.5 percent. Fortunately, pharmacists put warning labels on prescription bottles to warn of possible impaired driving. And teenagers? It’s usually drugs, not prescribed by a health physician, (and alcohol) that typically causes problems.

Keep Your Skills Sharp

  • The driving test: For teenagers, it’s a necessary obstacle to overcome for that sweet ticket to wheels and freedom. For seniors, driving tests can mean savings on car insurance.
  • Many organizations like AARP and the American Automobile Association offer online defensive driving courses where seniors don’t have to leave the comfort of their computer chair. This can be an easy way to refresh your safe driving habits and techniques.
  • Driving is a decades-long avocation, necessity, sport. As in so many other areas of life, our driving style changes as we get older. Florida recognizes this perhaps more than other states because of their large senior driver population. The state thus offers a variety of programs targeting both seniors and teens to keep Florida roads safer for everyone.

Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk to Put Our Experienced Tampa Car Accident Lawyers to Work for You!

At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, our Tampa car accident lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience serving injury victims throughout Florida.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, call us today at 1-800-753-5203 to put our injury law team to work for you.