Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Richmond, CA
I’m Ed Smith, a Richmond car accident lawyer. Motor vehicle accidents are a problem everywhere in the nation but especially in California with almost 27 million licensed drivers. The numbers do not include drivers around the state who are either unlicensed, have lost their licenses or are driving on one that is expired. With crowded highways and urban streets, accidents are bound to happen. Learn about the types of accidents and injuries that are common in Richmond as well as the time limit for filing a lawsuit in California.
Motor Vehicle Accident Types
The types of injuries that can be suffered in car accidents can depend on where the motor vehicle is struck and the force with which it happens. Accidents that occur in a town with lower speed limits are often less severe than those that occur on faster highways. Some of the more common types of motor vehicle accidents are as follows:
- Rear-end crashes: These are the most common types of collisions among the varieties of accidents and can be caused by tailgating or accelerating too quickly. Neck and spine injuries are common in this type of accident.
- Sideswipe collisions: A sideswipe happens when two vehicles pass too closely to each other. This happens most often when vehicles in adjoining lanes are turning. While vehicular damage occurs in a sideswipe, injuries are usually not severe.
- T-bone or broadside accidents: When one driver runs a red light or stop sign, a lateral collision can occur. These types of accidents commonly cause severe injuries.
- Head-on collisions: Drunk driving is the most frequent cause of a head-on collision because impaired drivers enter a street going the wrong way or take the wrong ramp on a freeway. Head-on collisions are among the most deadly type of accident.
- Multiple vehicle accidents: Commonly called pile-ups, multi-vehicle collisions can cause devastating injuries because cars can be struck from multiple directions.
- Rollovers: Vehicles with a high center of gravity such as vans, SUVs, and trucks are more likely to be involved in a rollover, although it can happen with any car. Rollovers cause serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury and can result in an unbelted passenger or driver being thrown from a vehicle.
- Single-vehicle accidents: A common type of accident, those involving only one vehicle are normally due to driver error. However, in some instances, a road defect, aggressive driver or other outside problem can cause the accident.
Statute of Limitations
In California, there is a statute of limitations for filing a claim for compensation when you are injured by a negligent driver. For most personal injuries, it is two years from the date an injury occurred. However, if a government entity such as the county is at fault, the date for filing is much shorter. This is why when an individual is injured through someone else’s negligence, it is essential to contact an experienced car accident lawyer. The lawyer can not only collect needed evidence to support your compensation claim, but he or she can also ensure that the paperwork is filed in a timely manner.
Common Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident are varied, depending on the type of crash and other factors. Speed plays a significant role in the intensity of an injury since at higher speeds more damage is done. Some common injuries are:
- Cervical strain and sprain: This type of injury is also referred to as whiplash and is caused by the whip-like motion of the cervical spine and the head. It usually happens as a result of a rear end crash but can also occur with other types of accidents. It is estimated that up to 50 percent of rear-end collisions result in cervical strain and sprain with some symptoms lasting up to 12 months.
- Head injury: The degree of injury varies from a mild concussion to traumatic brain injury. Concussive symptoms can resolve in six months if the injury is mild. A more intense injury such as a subdural hematoma may require brain surgery.
- Fractures: Depending on the site of a fracture, healing can involve time away from work and, in some cases, require surgery. Pelvic fractures are particularly disabling.
- Chest trauma: Trauma to the ribs, lungs, and heart can occur when the chest impacts the steering wheel. This usually happens at low speeds since airbags deploy when the vehicle is traveling over 14 mph.
- Abdominal trauma: Trauma to the abdomen is usually caused by safety restraints. In a high-speed collision, airbags can cause injury to abdominal organs. This injury might not show up in the first hours after a crash. However, signs of internal bleeding eventually become evident.
Richmond Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Richmond car accident lawyer. When a car accident occurs, you or a family member can suffer serious injury, requiring time off work and periods of medical care. It is essential to have a lawyer by your side to ensure that you are compensated for the financial loss caused by your car accident with a negligent driver. Call me at (510) 631-0200 in Richmond and (800) 404-5400 outside the area code for free and friendly advice. You can reach me online too if that is easier for you.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates. We are a forum of trial attorneys who have won in excess of $1 million for a client.
I’ve helped numerous residents of Richmond in the past 36 years as well as others in Northern California to obtain the compensation they deserve in a variety of accidents and wrongful death claims.
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