San Francisco Catastrophic Injury Blog

Is medical attention after a car accident necessary?

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.

A car accident can change your life. Even if you do not suffer serious injuries, the event could result in feeling residual apprehension about getting behind the wheel of a vehicle in the future. Of course, serious injuries are a common result of car crashes and can easily prove life-changing.

In some cases, serious injuries may not even show themselves right away after a crash. Between the shock of the accident occurring and the adrenaline coursing through your body, you may not feel any pain after the incident. However, that does not necessarily mean that you are uninjured.

The ways a spinal cord injury can change your life

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in spinal cord injuries on Thursday, September 12, 2019.

A car accident can change your life in an instant. It can leave you with injuries and medical bills, both of which are stressful and capable of affecting multiple areas of your life. The aftermath can be particularly challenging for people who are suffering from potentially debilitating injuries, such as spinal cord injuries.

Will your young athlete suffer a serious injury this season?

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in sports & recreation injuries on Tuesday, September 10, 2019.

With California schools back in session, you may be looking forward to those evenings watching your child participate in one of the many athletic offerings at school. Some team sports are already underway, and you may already have spent time bandaging wounds or waiting for X-ray results.

California pedestrian deaths on the rise

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, September 2, 2019.

According to CNBC, California and four other states accounted for half of the pedestrian fatalities across America in 2018. America's pedestrian death toll of 6,227 was 250 deaths higher than the previous year. In fact, since 2008, pedestrian deaths increased by 41%. Estimates now say that 16% of traffic fatalities are pedestrians.

Amusement park injuries are more common than you think

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in sports & recreation injuries on Tuesday, August 27, 2019.

Whether you are visiting a resort or looking for a family staycation, an amusement park is always a fun choice. After all, what can be more of a stress relief than defying gravity or releasing a blood-curdling scream on the first big hill of a monster roller coaster? Perhaps the last thing you wanted to think about was how safe the amusements were and whether your safety is in danger as you buckled into a ride.

Nevertheless, if your day of fun ended at the hospital following an injury at a theme park, you may be ready to face the dangers. What you learn about the amusement park industry may surprise you.

How do I know if my car insurance covers medical bills?

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, August 26, 2019.

If you recently sustained or caused injuries in an accident in California, you may be concerned about whether or not your insurance policy covers medical costs. The best source of information is your insurance company. If you sign into your policy online or view your insurance card, it should show you what your policy covers and does not cover. If you financed your car, there may be a greater likelihood that you have full coverage.

NerdWallet notes that one single auto insurance policy can include multiple types of coverage. The minimum coverage required depends on your state. In some states, you may only need liability insurance. In others, you may need to get personal injury protection, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage or all of the above.

What does the data say about spinal cord injury sufferers?

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in spinal cord injuries on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

No matter what kind of accident you had, you now face a life with a debilitating spinal cord injury. You may be one of those people who wants to know more about what your future holds. The more information you have, the better you feel you can plan and prepare yourself for what may lie ahead.

Information published by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center provides statistical data regarding people like you who suffer from this type of injury.

You may claim for potholes damages to your vehicle in CA

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

According to ABC News, California’s Bay Area has the worst roads in America. The roughest roads are in the San-Francisco-Oakland area, where a whopping 71% of these are in poor condition. The pot holes are so bad that some drivers claim it feels like driving through a third world country.

There is more to this problem than a bumpy ride and bad esthetics, however. Drivers complain that the pot holes damage tires and sometimes even crack their wheels. Cracked wheels cannot be fixed. A driver’s only option is to replace them. Estimates place the cost of tires and repairs at $1,000 for residents and other people who frequent the area for work.

Purchasing liability insurance may protect your assets

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

According to Market Insider, California is one of the worst states to file an accident claim. California gets ranked second after Michigan and Louisiana. What did researchers use to arrive at this conclusion? They looked at the states where drivers pay the most on average after filing auto accident claims. Michigan and Louisiana average $3,502 and $3,348 respectively. California averages $3,081.

One of the biggest contributing factors to the higher insurance premiums is repair costs. Note that the cost of repairing vehicles climbed 66% higher in June 2019, compared to where it stood in June 2000. The pricier components in vehicles is one reason for this. It is also reasonable to assume the cost of labor has increased. The best recommended protection from the researchers is the purchase of more liability coverage.

When one party in an accident is uninsured

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

In the ideal world, drivers all have car insurance and no one drives stolen cars or on a revoked or suspended license. Unfortunately, no one lives in a perfect world and Californians are no exception. USA Today notes that nationwide, one in eight drivers have no insurance. This may result from either lapsing on insurance payments or never buying insurance because they do not own a car.

The general expectation is that the uninsured motorist caused the accident, but this is not always the case. Luckily, in California, uninsured drivers may recoup damages for medical bills, car repairs and other accident-related costs. However, they are not able to seek damages for pain and suffering, while insured motorists usually can.