San Francisco Legal Blog

Are there different levels of brain injury?

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, January 21, 2019.

If you are in a car accident in California, and a healthcare provider diagnoses you with a brain injury, you have cause for concern. However, before you start thinking the worst, it is important to understand there are different levels of severity of a brain injury, ranging from mild to serious. They type you have will determine how it will affect you over the long term and what your treatment options are.

The Brain Injury Alliance discusses that brain injury is a very general term, as each situation is unique. The severity and dysfunction that results depends on which area of the head the hit occurs, as well as the type and amount of force. For example, a relatively mild rear-end accident can cause whiplash which may lead to a mild concussion that does not require any rehabilitation. In contrast, a more serious accident may result in a diffuse axonal injury, in which there is excessive tearing of neural tissue. This can lead to long-lasting impairments. Although less common, a bad car accident may also result in skull penetration, which can have a host of complicated issues.

How to stay safe on the ski slopes this season

By Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in sports & recreation injuries on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

California has some of the most beautiful places to ski in the country. Lake Tahoe, Bear Valley, Mammoth and Shasta offer fantastic views and mountain trails perfect for the skiing enthusiast. Few things are more exhilarating than zipping down the mountainside on a pair of skis.

Though skiing is a wonderful pastime, it can also be dangerous. With a little extra caution, you can keep yourself safe on the ski slopes this season.

Emotionally recovering from a car crash

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, January 11, 2019.

People may focus on some of the physical and financial aspects of motor vehicle accidents, from broken bones and other injuries to hospital bills and lost wages. These are certainly some of the more concerning repercussions associated with motor vehicle collisions, but they are not the only ways in which auto accident victims suffer. Some people involved in a crash may also face harsh emotional consequences that can virtually shatter their lives. If you are an auto accident victim who is struggling with the emotional toll of a wreck, it is important to focus on addressing any negative emotions you are facing.

Some people may become angry after a drunk driver or some other type of reckless driver hits them or someone they love. Other negative emotions include feeling depressed, stressed out or hopeless. It is pivotal to find ways to address these negative emotions, as difficult as that can be. Sometimes, it simply takes a certain amount of time for someone to move forward after the emotional fallout of an auto crash.

Three things to know about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in brain injuries on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

According to the CDC, there were close to three million emergency-room visits and hospitalization in 2013. While they may be more common than expected, not many people know that much information about traumatic brain injuries, which is why this post answers the three most common questions about them.

What do you do after a car accident that has injured your spine?

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in spinal cord injuries on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

Car accidents are common, but you likely do not expect them to occur. On top of that, if you are in an accident, sustaining an injury to your spine is likely the last thing you would expect to happen.

Unfortunately, automobile accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, totaling in at 38 percent. If you are in an accident that has injured your spine, what do you do?

Keep track of all expenses related to car accidents

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, January 7, 2019.

If you are in a car accident in California, and it is the other driver's fault, he or she should be responsible for many of your related expenses. While property damage and injuries are obvious expenses, there are other ones you may not even think about. It is important to keep track of everything that relates to the accident so the party responsible can pay.

FindLaw outlines many of the damages you may claim. In regard to injuries, some of the expenses you may be able to recover include:

Emergency and regular doctor visits
Physical therapy, massage and chiropractic
Medication and modalities such as heating pads, ice packs and neck brace
Transportation costs, such as public transportation, cabs and ride shares, to and from appointments
In-home care

Can sunlight cause a motor vehicle accident?

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, December 28, 2018.

From drunk people getting behind the wheel to a driver ignoring traffic signs, auto collisions happen for many reasons. Weather can factor into a crash in different ways, whether a driver loses control of their vehicle due to poor conditions on the road or their visibility is impacted by fog, snow or rain. Moreover, sunlight can also interfere with a driver’s ability to see the road and may lead to a motor vehicle collision. If you drive while it is very sunny out, there are different things you should keep in mind.

According to material that the National Institutes of Health has provided, sunlight that is very bright can cause a motor vehicle collision. After reviewing data that was taken from 1995 to 2014, researchers found a notable increase in the number of life-threatening motor vehicle collisions during periods of bright sunlight.

Transporting young kids in rideshare and for-hire vehicles

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, December 24, 2018.

If you are a parent of young kids in California, you understand the challenges that come with transporting your children. Whether you have an infant in a car seat or a five year-old in a booster, you know it is the law that you need the proper seats and anchorage to drive them around in your personal vehicle. What about if you need to take a ride share, such as Uber or Lyft, or a cab? You may be less sure about the rules and laws surrounding this, but the bottom line is you need to keep your child safe.

According to Virginia Tech, using rideshare vehicles with kids is popular, with more than 33% of parents doing it. Unfortunately, both parents and drivers of these vehicles report that car seats are not always used. Some of the reasons for this non-compliance are the uncertainty of the law, the inability to request a seat from the rideshare driver and the bulkiness and size of a car seat makes it challenging to carry around.

Things to do after a hit and run

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, December 17, 2018.

If you are the victim of a hit and run accident in California, you are probably frustrated and angry. Whether you were not in your vehicle or the accident occurred while you were driving, you may have trouble getting the perpetrator to cover property damage and medical care for injuries. If you are the victim of this type of crash, there are certain steps you should take.

According to Nationwide, the first thing you should do is move your vehicle so it is in a safe place. This may be to the side of a busy highway or into the nearest parking lot. Next, call the police and report the accident. While you wait for them to arrive at the scene, try to remember and write down as many details as possible. Ideally, knowing the license plate of the vehicle that hit you is the most helpful, but you should also record the color and type of vehicle. If others witnessed the crash, ask them what they saw, as they may remember details you cannot. Note the approximate time of the accidents and in which direction the other driver went. The police may be able to access security camera footage if you can narrow down details.

Safety tips for drivers with ADHD

On behalf of Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, December 14, 2018.

Head-on collisions occur on California roadways every day. The person behind the wheel may be a good driver who generally follows the rules of the road and obeys speed limits. However, accidents happen. Negligent drivers are often responsible for the injury or death of good drivers in head-on impacts.

According to Smart Motorist, the majority of head-on collisions are typically a result of distracted driving. They often occur on straight stretches of pavement in favorable conditions. In these circumstances, drivers may relax, becoming less attentive to the road and more prone to distraction. Passengers, music, eating and cell phones are among the most common disturbances drivers experience.