Driving is essential for most people who go to work, school, or simply run errands in San Francisco. Regardless of what puts a driver on the road, however, an accident is possible. Anyone in a car accident should know about their legal rights, as it might be possible to seek compensation for all of your losses. Consult with The Cartwright Law Firm about your options today.
According to the California Active Transportation Safety Information Pages (CATSIP) there were 6,185 automobile accidents in the Bay Area between February 3, 2020, and December 28, 2020. Of those accidents, 667 resulted in fatal or serious injuries.
This represents a significant decrease of about 40% in motor vehicle crashes from 2019 to 2020. This decrease in the number of collisions last year can be attributed to a decrease of Californians driving on the roads because of COVID-19, which necessitated the government to impose stay-at-home orders. With these restrictions lifted, the number of drivers on the road has certainly gone up as people returned to workplaces and schools. This also means the number of car accidents and injuries is also likely to increase sharply in 2021.
Car Accidents Are More Common on Certain Bay Area Roads
Although crashes occur on all roads in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are some roads that are prone to more accidents than others. Some of these roads are Interstates 80, 880, 280, Highway 1 and 5, and US 101. The reasons for a higher prevalence of accidents on these roads vary but may be attributed to factors such as higher traffic congestion, more construction projects, and aggressive, distracted or drivers driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Injuries Suffered In Traffic Accidents
Car accidents can involve a significant impact, which can result in direct trauma to the body or an unnatural jolt or twisting of the body. The following are some examples of serious injuries that might occur in your crash.
HEAD AND BRAIN INJURIES
Some of the most serious injuries sustained during an accident are those involving the head area. While some head injuries are obvious, others – such as brain bleeds – are not so obvious and may develop slowly over some time, usually over a few days. This type of injury could turn deadly if not diagnosed and treated quickly.
Concussions, which are a type of traumatic brain injury, happen when an accident victim is hit on the head or suffers some jolt to the head area. Some signs of a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) are obvious, such as when a victim loses consciousness for a period of time. However, other signs, such as irritability or feeling “out of it,” might not be readily identifiable. It is important to seek medical help after any type of head trauma.
Skull fractures are also common in car accidents. A skull fracture is caused by one of the skull’s bones being cracked or broken. In some cases, pieces of the skull penetrate the brain, causing even more severe injuries that could be fatal.
BACK AND SPINE INJURIES
The spine is divided into three regions:
- The cervical spine, which includes the neck
- The thoracic spine, which encompasses the upper back
- The lumbar spine, which includes the lower back
Spinal cord injury is damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal, which may cause paralysis or permanent disability.
If the thoracic spine is injured, then the victim will likely suffer significant damage, which could be serious enough to change the victim’s life forever. This is because the thoracic spine is connected to the chest and ribs, and any nerve damage to this area could result in significant disability.
The lumbar spine comprises the lowest end of the spinal cord and includes some of the back’s strongest muscles, as well as its five major vertebrae. Injuries to the five lumbar vertebrae can lead to loss of function in the hips and legs, which can prevent someone from walking again. Injury to this area also brings about swelling and pain.
Cervical spine injuries typically impact one’s ability to freely move the arms, as well as one’s ability to breathe or move the lower body. The higher up a spinal injury is, the greater paralysis that can result throughout the body.
BROKEN BONES
Broken bones and fractures are common in many car accidents, and there are several types:
- Stable fractures occur when even though the ends are still aligned, the two broken pieces of bone are still slightly out of place.
- Open, compound fractures are when the bone protrudes from the body. In this case, the skin is penetrated by the bone, and the accident victim is at a heightened risk of developing an infection with this type of fracture.
- Transverse fractures happen when the bone is broken along a horizontal plane.
- Oblique fractures happen when the fracture line is jagged or angled.
- Comminuted fractures result in a bone breaking into multiple pieces.
Many fractures require emergency surgery or even multiple procedures over time. Even with such treatment, some broken bones never properly heal, and a victim can experience permanent impairments.
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
Soft tissue injuries are those injuries that impact the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the body. Most common among these are sprains and strains, though soft tissue tears can also occur.
Sprains happen when the ligaments are stretched or torn. Ligaments are pieces of tissue that join two bones together. Strains occur when there is an overextension of tendons or muscles. Just like ligaments connect bones to other bones, tendons connect muscles to bones. When soft tissue tears completely, it often requires surgery to repair.
One of the most frequently and commonly reported soft tissue injuries after an auto accident is whiplash. Whiplash is caused by sudden jerking movements forcing the neck to forcibly bend forward and then backward. When the head is thrown forward and then snapped backward in this manner, the jerking movements damage the muscles in the back and neck areas of the body.
Seek Help from a San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a San Francisco car accident, contact us now for a free review of your case (415) 851-6486. Whether you have whiplash or a catastrophic spinal injury, The Cartwright Law Firm can help.
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