What Are Common Collisions and the Type of Injuries Most Commonly Sustained?

Interviewer: What are some common injuries that you’ve seen that come from car accidents?

Flexion Extension Injures (whip lash, we hate that term)

Bill: The most common collision is a rear-end collision, and the most common injuries are what’s called flexion extension injuries. The popular word is whiplash.  The insurance industry has converted that expression into a four letter word.  Ask anyone who has had the misfortune of having their neck injured and you will learn how serious the injury can be

Interviewer: What are some of the results of an injury like that? Does your neck hurts or is it stiff?

Bill: It can range from soreness that goes away relatively soon — to a very serious condition that could result in surgery. The surprising thing for folks who don’t know is that they may end up with permanent symptoms.

Most People Usually Experience a Delayed Response to Injuries Sustained in an Auto Accident

Interviewer: Do people know as soon as they get into an accident that they have these kinds of injuries, or is there a delayed response?

Bill: In the usual car wreck a lot of folks don’t know they are hurt. Their adrenaline is running they are in shock, and upset. It is a very disorienting thing to be in a collision. In certain impacts, very substantial impacts, they will know. Otherwise it can vary. The onset of pain can vary from two or three or four days to as much as a week.

Interviewer: Any other injuries which are common besides whiplash-related ones?

Head-on Collisions Are Also Common and Cause Hard Tissue Injuries to Knees, Chest and Head

Bill:  The force and direction of the impact causes different injuries. We are more likely to get broken bones for example in a T – Bone collision. The one constant is the force the person’s body absorbs. Notice I didn’t say what the car damage was

Airbags and Seatbelts Are Also Attributed to Injuries from an Auto Accident

Even airbags cause injuries. Seatbelts very frequently cause injuries on a head-on collision. Side collisions, broadside either side can affect in addition arms, sides of legs, knees, shins, in addition to the flexion extension. They’re different kinds of flexion extension injuries, because the head whips and the back whips sideways rather than back and forth.

Attorney Levinson Recommends Contacting an Attorney, Even If You Have Not Sustained Immediate Injuries in an Auto Accident

Interviewer: If people get into an accident, how have you seen that they first form the idea that they should at least speak to an attorney about getting help? Is it right away or do certain events happen that makes people decide they should have legal counsel?

Bill: Most of my clients who are hurt come in pretty soon after. In my opinion, the very best thing after you call your insurance company is to contact an attorney right away, whether you think you are injured or not. The injury may show up in a couple of days, but there are a number of things that you do immediately to protect yourself.

Attorney Levinson Recommends Contacting the Police If You Have Been in an Accident

Interviewer: What kinds of things should a person do right away?

Bill: The very first thing is call the police. Always call the police, because evidence is going to be lost if you don’t. Incomplete information is going to be exchanged. That’s primarily the first concern. Often time’s people will not want to call the police because they don’t have insurance even if they give insurance information.

Preserving Evidence: Obtain Contact Information from Any Witnesses and Photograph both Vehicles before They Are Moved

Make sure that the police officer obtains accurate information from you. If there are any witnesses, accurately write down their contact information, name, address and phone number and a summary of what they say. Take photographs of both vehicles, from all angles, before they are moved. If you think there is frame damage underneath and you’re able to, take those pictures.

Inquire Where Your Car Will Be Towed

If the vehicle is going to be towed, make sure you find out where it’s going to be towed. Most of these details are going to be handled by the lawyer. The foremost reason for doing this, right away, whether you’re injured or not is to protect evidence.

Do Not Give a Statement to the At-Fault Insurance Carrier

Also, there’s another major warning. Do not speak to the at-fault insurance carrier. They have one job, and that’s to pay you nothing. It’s okay to speak to the police. It’s okay to speak to your own insurance company. Do not under any circumstances speak to the at-fault carrier.

The at-fault person means the one who caused the collision or the injury, and it doesn’t matter what kind of injury. Most people will find that after a few days, if they don’t feel it at the scene, they have been injured.

Most People Pay for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Their Auto Insurance Policy

PIP is personal injury protection. It’s a medical benefit that you buy in your automobile insurance and it pays for your accident injuries.

It Is Important to Call the Police, Regardless of the Perceived Nature of the Accident

Interviewer: If you’re in an accident, you want to document everything you can. What happens in a scenario where it doesn’t seem to be a bad accident, and people say, “Oh, well, we won’t call the police. Everything looks okay.” Have you seen that happen?

Bill: It’s a dreadful mistake. It’s a very bad mistake if you do not call the police. The difficulty is, occasionally, the police will not come because of what they perceive to be the level of injuries. They’re wrong, and in that case, you still have to get every piece of information from the party that hurt you and then also from any witnesses. That’s if you’re physically able. There’s not much you can do if you’re transported by ambulance to the hospital.