Spinal cord injuries commonly occur as a result of car accidents. Any type of damage to the spinal column can cause serious and debilitating injuries that can leave a victim with a lifetime of chronic pain and other health problems. In cases where there is severe damage to the spinal cord, a victim could become paralyzed. The Newark car accident attorneys at Console & Hollawell have seen different types of spinal cord injuries suffered in collisions. Some of the common types of spinal cord injuries suffered in car accidents include paralysis, herniated discs, bulging discs, slipped discs and fractured vertebrae.

According to the University of Alabama’s National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, 37 percent of spinal cord injuries in the United States are caused by vehicular accidents. Approximately 250,000 Americans live with spinal cord injuries. Also, 56 percent of injuries occur between the ages of 16 and 30. Nearly 90 percent of all spinal cord injury patients are discharged from hospitals to a private home and 4.3 percent are discharged to nursing homes. Only 52 percent of patients were covered by private health insurance at the time of injury.

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If you have been in a car accident that has damaged your vehicle, your car would likely be towed either to a body shop or auto repair shop or a holding yard. As Allentown car accident lawyers who routinely help and counsel motor vehicle accident victims, we believe that it is important to get an understanding of how to go about repairing your vehicle after a collision.

Soon after your vehicle has been towed, you will be asked if you would like your car to be repaired or where you would like it to be repaired. If you have auto insurance, your insurance company will recommend a preferred auto repair shop that is within their network. However, you are not obligated to take your vehicle to that repair shop. As a car owner, you have the choice as to where you would like your vehicle to be repaired. You may want to choose a shop that is closer, familiar or more convenient. You may want to take a referral from a friend or family member.

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High accident rates in Nevada could push auto insurance rates even higher. According to a CBS news report, there have been twice the number of fatal car accidents on valley roads in Las Vegas this year. Nevada already ranks eighth in the country for the highest car insurance premiums. These car accident statistics could have a direct impact on the state’s insurance rates driving them higher. Premiums are determined differently depending on an individual’s driving record and many other factors. However, the worse a claim gets, for example as in the case of a fatal car accident, the more it could affect other policyholders who have insurance through that company.

According to Las Vegas Police, 20 people have died as a result of car accidents in the first 65 days of the year. Under Nevada law, drivers are required to carry $15,000 in liability insurance coverage for death or bodily injury for one person and $30,000 for two or more people. According to the Property and Casualty Insurance Association of America, in 2009, the average premium for auto insurance in the state was $1,073 compared to the national average of $900. The high rate of auto thefts in Nevada also contributes to the higher insurance premiums. When it comes to car thefts, Nevada ranks second in the country.

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If you have been seriously injured in a Las Vegas car accident, one of the most important steps you need to take right away is to choose an experienced, knowledgeable personal injury lawyer who will help you through the process of filing a claim and receiving compensation. There are many important aspects to consider before choosing a lawyer to representing you in your car accident case.

It is important that you choose the right lawyer. If you are wondering how to choose a reputed law firm, check their ranking on a lawyer rating web site such as Martindale- Hubbell, which is a prestigious, peer-reviewed lawyer rating service. There are also many questions you would be well advised to ask when you meet or shop around. Does the attorney have trial experience? Has he or she been in court at all? How many cases has she handled or successfully resolved? Has he studied negotiation and mediation law? Remember, 95 percent of personal injury cases in Nevada are settled and do not go to trial.

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Usually, a personal injury claim is filed in the county where the car accident occurred. But what if the state where the accident occurred is not your home state? What if the accident occurred when you were on a business trip or on vacation? In such cases, the personal injury claim would still have to be filed in the state where the incident occurred. There are many questions plaintiffs may have in such cases. But the most important of those questions probably is: Can I retain an out-of-state personal injury lawyer?

The law does allow plaintiffs to hire an out-of-state personal injury lawyer for your case. In such cases, your personal injury lawyer, who is licensed to practice in your home state, can seek permission from the court to handle your case. If the court grants that request, your attorney will be allowed to represent you in the courts of the state where the accident occurred. This can be a real advantage to plaintiffs because they will have someone who is known and familiar helping them with the case.

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Individuals who have been injured in a Massachusetts car accident as the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing may be able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault motorist seeking compensation for damages. Some people decide to do so with an experienced Massachusetts personal injury lawyer on their side. Others choose to do it on their own. Regardless of the decision you make, it is important that you understand some of the most common myths about accident injury cases. Buying into these myths or believing them to be true can seriously affect your ability to obtain fair compensation for your losses.

The first myth is that the insurance companies are here to help you in your time of need. Believing that myth can land you in serious trouble. Insurance companies have always been well-oiled money making machines. Insurance adjusters are trained to ensure that your claim’s value is reduced if not completely eliminated. Paying you will affect their bottom line. Do not be bullied or intimidated by the insurance company. You do not have to talk to them or provide recorded statements. Always wait until you get legal advice.

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Drivers in Massachusetts would be banned from using hand-held cell phones under a bill that has been unanimously approved by the state Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee. This is yet another step, which takes a Massachusetts cell phone ban one step closer to reality. If this becomes law, Massachusetts will become the tenth state in the nation to prohibit even holding a cellphone while driving illegal. The bill would still need to make its way through the House and Senate and may also be evaluated by the Ways and Means Committee before it becomes the law of the land.

In 2010, Massachusetts passed a law banning drivers under the age of 18 from using a hand-held cellphone and also prohibited texting while driving for motorists of all ages. However, there was no action taken at that time to extend the hand-held cell phone ban to drivers over the age of 18.

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If you have been injured in a car accident in Philadelphia, you may choose to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. In personal injury claims, the process begins with the victim submitting what is known as a demand letter to the insurance companies. The purpose of such a letter is to present the facts about the accident with a view to persuade the insurance companies to provide just compensation.

A typical demand letter will have details such as a description of the incident, details about personal injuries suffered, medical treatments obtained, loss of income statements, discussion of liability and an injury settlement demand. The demand letter is sent to the insurance company along with supplemental documents such as accident report copies, any photographs you may have of the accident site or your injuries, medical bills and doctor’s statements. The insurance company will usually respond with a counter settlement offer.

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Injuries suffered in a Salt Lake City car accident can range from minor or moderate to serious or catastrophic. Tragically a number of car accidents in Utah result in fatalities. Whether you are injured or have lost a loved one as the result of a car accident in Utah that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses.

There are a number of steps you can take immediately after a Utah car accident to ensure that your rights are protected. The first step, of course, is to make sure that you and your passengers are safe. If someone is injured, call 911 to get immediate medical attention. Get your vehicle as far away as possible from traffic lanes. If you are able to do so, start collecting information from the scene.

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Driving is a privilege not a right. With every privilege, there are responsibilities. Motorists in Oregon have a number of responsibilities especially if they are involved in an accident or a collision. There are several steps motorists are required to take under the law. As Portland car accident lawyers who represent crash victims, we often come across instances where motorists fail to do the right thing or realize what their responsibilities are in the event of a crash. Here is some information that can help motorists better understand their rights and responsibilities.

The first thing to do as soon as you are involved in a traffic accident is to stop at once. Drivers are required to stop at the scene of the crash or as close as possible to the accident scene. Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious traffic crime. Drivers also have the responsibility to render “reasonable aid” to injured persons. What this means is injured people should not be moved around carelessly. One way to help would be to call 911 so the injured parties can get the help and attention they need as soon as possible.

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