A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye and seatbelts are an essential safety device that can save lives. Unfortunately, it’s often thought that accident injuries are less likely to affect passengers in the backseat. The data show that when a car accident occurs in Glen Burnie or Severn, unbuckled passengers are just as likely to sustain injuries or be killed in the backseat as they are in the front seat.

Watch this video to get the facts on accident injury prevention. It discusses a study that evaluated car crash deaths during 2013. The study found that over half of all backseat passengers who were killed in these crashes were not wearing their seatbelts. About one-fifth of passengers resist buckling up-a figure that grows even worse among taxi passengers.

A car accident can easily injure one of the most delicate parts of the body-the brain. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Severn or Glen Burnie, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly and discuss your injuries with a car accident lawyer . A traumatic brain injury (TBI) may require weeks of recovery, during which time you’ll have to remain out of work and avoid doing many daily activities.

When you watch this video, you’ll learn about the common signs and symptoms of brain injuries. Victims of car accidents may lose consciousness if the brain sustains damage, but others may not pinpoint their symptoms until a few weeks after the crash. A brain injury can cause dizziness, nausea, memory impairment, cognitive impairment, blurry vision, and headaches. It can even lead to changes in personality and behavior, and may contribute to long-term problems like Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s.

Moving forward from a car accident is always difficult. The car accident survivor’s health is the top priority, but other obstacles include the damage inflicted on the car and the lost wages the survivor is likely to suffer. When a survivor’s injuries are catastrophic, recovering from a wreck is particularly challenging. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with catastrophic injuries, you should consult a car accident lawyer in Glen Burnie or Severn immediately for legal guidance.

Defining Catastrophic Injuries

All car accident injuries are undesirable, but catastrophic injuries are on a different level. They are broadly defined as severe injuries that inflict long-term or permanent bodily impairment or disfigurement. Catastrophic injuries will typically involve a lengthy period of recovery and extensive medical treatment, such as multiple surgeries. Some people with catastrophic injuries require a lifetime of medical and personal care. Some examples of catastrophic injuries that a car accident may inflict include traumatic amputations, permanent loss of vision, severe and extensive scarring, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries in particular can be devastating because they often involve a degree of paralysis, which is irreversible.

Identifying Damages

Before filing a personal injury lawsuit, the attorney must identify and calculate the plaintiff’s damages or losses. These calculations will inform the amount of money that the lawsuit specifies. It may not be possible to develop an accurate estimate of a plaintiff’s damages right after the accident. The plaintiff may first undergo extensive medical treatment and try to recover to the maximum extent that is possible. Then, the attorney can add up all of the plaintiff’s economic damages, which include medical bills, medication costs, and similar expenses. The attorney will also develop an estimate of the medical costs the plaintiff can expect to incur over his or her lifetime. Then, the attorney can calculate the plaintiff’s non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

Proving Damages

In any personal injury lawsuit, it’s necessary for the attorney to gather evidence and argue the plaintiff’s case in court. In a catastrophic injury case, the attorney must not only prove that the defendant is liable for the plaintiff’s injuries, but also prove the extent of the injuries. It may be necessary to have an expert witness testify as to the future medical and personal needs of the plaintiff.

Have you been hurt in a car accident that was not your fault? If so, contact a car accident lawyer in Glen Burnie and Severn right away. Only car accident lawyers are familiar with state negligence law and understand how the system works. Personal injury law mandates that all drivers on the road exercise a certain standard of care. When drivers are negligent—and that negligence results in personal injury—they are liable for any damages that result. Keep reading to learn more about the elements of negligence in car accident cases, including a breached duty of care, direct causation, and demonstrable damages.

Breached Duty

As your car accident lawyer will explain, the first element of negligence involves a duty of care and the breach of that duty. In short, if you are hurt, car accident lawyers need to prove that another driver was obligated to be reasonably careful and failed to act carefully. All drivers are legally required to drive carefully, so that element is easily satisfied. A breach of the duty occurs when a driver unreasonably fails to stop at a red light, watch for crossing pedestrians, or follow at a safe distance.

Direct Causation

Car accident attorneys also need to show the court that the other driver’s failure to drive carefully directly caused your injury. Even if another driver does not stop at a stop sign, rear ends your vehicle, and you suffer an injury, the driver is only liable if his failure to stop directly caused your injury. For example, if you suffer a back injury but have had longtime back problems, your car accident lawyer will need to show that your recent injury is directly attributable to the other driver.

Demonstrable Damages

The final step in proving negligence is showing damages. Damages are injuries for which you may be compensated. Common examples of car accident damages include lost wages, diminished employment opportunities, medical bills, and pain and suffering. If you suffer a minor injury that requires no medical care or time off work, you will not have a car accident claim.

After being arrested, your first step should be to contact a DUI lawyer near Glen Burnie and Severn who also handles DUI and other criminal cases . Only DUI attorneys can help you fight a DUI or more serious criminal charge.

As your car accident lawyer will explain, you should never speak to the police without having your car accident lawyers present. When you are arrested, the police are obligated to advise you of your Miranda rights. You have the right to remain silent and to know that anything you say can and will be held against you in court. You also have the right to have your criminal and auto accident lawyer present. If the police fail to apprise you of your legal rights, your attorney may be able to have the case thrown out.

Field sobriety tests are a cornerstone of DUI cases. If you have been charged with a DUI or experienced a car accident with someone who was, your criminal or auto accident attorney in Severn will closely examine the field sobriety tests as part of your case.

Field sobriety tests are performed on the scene of a car accident or traffic stop. They are performed as a measure of intoxication and can be the first line of testing before officers use a breath or blood test to determine blood alcohol content. There are a number of different techniques officers can use in field sobriety tests, including counting backwards, saying the alphabet, one-legged stands, and the finger-to-nose test. The results of the test are not definitive but can be used as part of a DUI case.

If an officer gave you a field sobriety test at the scene of a crash, tell your car accident lawyer as soon as possible. If you were at fault for an accident and failed a field sobriety test, your auto accident lawyer will attempt to prove that factors beside alcohol, such as uneven terrain, influenced your test results. A car accident lawyer can also answer any questions you have about the process.

Mistakes you make in your car accident lawsuit could cost you the compensation to which you are entitled. Before making any agreement after an accident, consult with a car accident lawyer near Severn. Your accident attorney can help you avoid missteps like these that could interfere with your case.

Talking About Your Case

While your case is being adjudicated, avoid discussing your case with anyone other than your car accident lawyer. Often, insurance agents, car accident lawyers working for the defense, and even jurors in your case may try to contact you, and anything you say could be used to dispute your claim. If anyone approaches you with questions, refer them to your attorney. Likewise, avoid discussing your case on your social media accounts or posting photos that could be used to minimize your injury. Setting your pages as private is not sufficient. Your attorney may suggest that you avoid any social media activity until your case is complete.

Throwing Away Evidence

Because car accident cases can take a long time to resolve, you may complete medical treatment before a ruling is made. In the interim, do not throw away anything related to your care, including empty pill bottles or old casts. These items can all be used as evidence of the severity of your injury, and without them, your claim may be more difficult to prove.

Having an Insurance Medical Exam

Insurance medical examinations are common after car accidents. The insurance company of the person at fault for the accident may require you to have one of these exams at a doctor they choose. Although doctors who perform these exams are supposed to be independent, they are frequently actually linked with the insurance company and are hired to say you are not injured. If you are told by an insurance company that you have to have one of these exams, call your auto accident lawyer. You may not be able to avoid having an insurance-sanctioned exam, but your lawyer can help you lay the right groundwork to dispute the findings if necessary.

Car accident lawyers in Severn can help victims deal with the short-term and long-term consequences of accident injuries. On a short-term basis, a car crash can cause loss of wages, property damage, medical diagnostic fees, and treatment expenses. While these are serious problems, the long-term consequences cannot be overlooked. Car accident lawyers often work with clients who suffer from chronic pain, scars or disfigurement, and psychiatric injuries caused by auto and motorcycle accidents.

Psychiatric Complications

Since the physical injuries caused by car accidents are often easily identifiable, the mental and emotional injuries are sometimes overlooked. Psychiatric complications can take many forms and they can occur regardless of whether the physical injuries were serious or not. Sometimes, an accident attorney can secure compensatory damages for a client’s mental anguish or emotional trauma . Victims of car accidents may be diagnosed with anxiety disorders and depression. They may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and they may even be diagnosed with phobias. For example, a victim of a serious car accident may no longer be able to get behind the wheel of a car without suffering from paralyzing fear. Some individuals may experience anxiety when traveling in the same area as the accident. Others may be fearful to drive in the same weather conditions as were present at the time of the crash. These psychiatric complications can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life and inhibit his or her ability to carry out day-to-day functions.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a major concern for car crash victims. Even minor physical injuries, such as mild whiplash, can result in pain that persists for three months or longer. Typically, chronic pain persists despite the full healing of the original injury. As a result, car accident victims may need to be on powerful pain medications on a long-term basis.

Scars and Disfigurement

Scars and disfigurement are other examples of the long-term consequences of a car crash. Significant external scarring or disfigurement may result in functional impairment as well as cosmetic problems. Functional impairment can also occur when scar tissue develops within the body as a response to the physical injury. In cases in which an accident resulted in significant, permanent damage, a car accident lawyer may sue for substantial compensation.

If you suffer damages as a result of an auto accident, you should consult a car accident attorney near Glen Burnie right away. A car accident lawyer can negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf. If the insurance company does not offer a reasonable settlement, your car accident lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit for you. The accident attorney may help you recover compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and other damages.

For more information on bringing a claim against an insurance company, watch this brief video or consult car accident lawyers. This video explains the factors a lawyer might consider when evaluating your case, such as the severity of your injuries and the extent to which they impair your ability to support your family.

In many cases, following the rules protects individuals from harm. Yet, even if you are careful to drive at an appropriate speed and obey all of the other rules of the road, you could still become the victim of a car accident due to the negligent or reckless actions of another driver. If this does happen, you can best protect your rights by consulting an auto accident lawyer near Severn. Contact a car accident lawyer before you file an insurance claim. He or she will need to know all the details of the incident, such as whether it was caused by the other driver’s impairment, recklessness, or distraction.

Impaired Driving

Drunk driving claims thousands of lives each year. Consuming alcohol affects a driver’s judgment and reaction time, among other problems. If your crash was caused by a drunk driver, your car accident lawyer can pursue a civil claim separately from any criminal charges that may be pending. The same applies to car crashes caused by drivers who were impaired by recreational drugs or even legal prescription drugs.

Aggressive or Reckless Driving

It’s important to practice mindfulness on the roads. Being aware of your proximity to other vehicles and the behaviors of other drivers can help keep you safe. Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to avoid a collision with a driver who is using excessive speed, or who drives through a red light or stop sign. Tailgating, changing lanes in a dangerous manner, and failing to yield the right of way to other vehicles are other examples of aggressive driving. In these cases, car accident lawyers can use the police report to substantiate your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Distracted Driving

One of the most common causes of car wrecks is distracted driving. Drivers often underestimate the extent to which using their cellphones affects their ability to drive safely. The result can be serious injuries or even death. Car accident attorneys handle cases involving a wide range of distractions. In addition to cellphone use, drivers can become distracted by rubbernecking at crash sites, looking at a GPS or map, eating or drinking, and talking with passengers.