Accidents from the impact of cars crashing often result in serious injuries that have a lasting impact on the lives of the victims. Since the average American car weighs over 2 tons when an accident occurs between two cars over 8,000 pounds of metal and steel collide at great force. The damage and potential injuries can be astounding depending on the circumstances of the accident.
If you are involved in a serious car accident that was caused by the negligence of another driver, you are entitled to seek compensation for a number of damages including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of wages. Working with an experienced serious car accident attorney will help you prioritize your needs, identify potential damages, and seek justice on your behalf while you heal.
Rodriguez & Associates has decades of experience recovering damages for victims of severe car accidents including a $4.6 million dollar case resulting in a head-on collision caused by a drug-impaired driver and a $5.5 million dollar recovery on behalf of a two-year-old paralyzed in a high-speed police chase.
What Qualifies as a Serious Car Accident?
Generally, the severity of an accident is determined by the injuries obtained by drivers and passengers. A number of factors may influence the seriousness of injuries including the speed of the vehicles at the time of the collision, the type of impact or collision that took place, and the number of cars involved.
A serious injury is determined by a high risk of death, serious disfigurement, prolonged impairment of health, or prolonged loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ.
Serious Car Accident Injuries
A number of life-changing injuries can be acquired in a car accident
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Accidents that cause damage to the neck or spinal cord are common and detrimental to the livelihood of the victim. Spinal trauma from a high-impact collision can sever the spinal cord or dislocate vertebrae causing a combination of serious medical issues including paralysis and lost feeling in parts of the body, the loss of function or control of parts of the body, as well as difficulty breathing. - Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury or TBI is usually a result of a severe impact to the head or the result of an object penetrating brain tissue. Depending upon the severity of the injury, victims may face cognitive or emotional issues as well as struggling with ordinary tasks, such as brushing their teeth or feeding themselves, that require motor control. - Amputation or Limb Loss
If a person’s limb is injured beyond repair or keeping it would put them at further medical risk, amputation can be the best life-saving solution. Losing the use of one or multiple limbs due to a serious car accident can drastically affect a person’s quality of life. Effects of amputation include extensive medical procedures and therapies, prosthetic limbs, continuing pain, and emotional trauma.
Why do Serious Car Accidents Occur?
Negligence plays a large role in the number of serious car accidents that occur nationally. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and aggressive driving were all leading causes of serious or fatal car accidents in 2020. California is among the states that have developed a Strategic Highway Safety Plan to address negligent motorists and enforce safety regulations in an effort to minimize fatalities and serious car accidents.
How We Can Help
The award-winning car accident attorneys at Rodriguez & Associates have over one hundred years of combined experience working closely with seriously injured car accident victims in the Bakersfield area, and throughout California. For years, we have been named to Expertise.com’s list of Best Car Accident Lawyers in Bakersfield.
Our team understands the extreme difficulties families can face in the aftermath of an accident and comprehensively examines all details of your incident to build a strong case that will help you reach justice and reclaim your life. Contact our Bakersfield personal injury law office today to schedule a free consultation of your case.