• How does whiplash affect your neck?

    Whiplash Injuries in Tracy, CA

    See What Happens To Your Neck In A Whiplash Injury

    Personal injury lawyers near Tracy and Manteca often work with car accident survivors who have sustained whiplash injuries. In these cases, a personal injury lawyer may consider the possibility of chronic pain. Long-term injuries may increase the total compensation that an accident attorney may seek on the victim’s behalf. When you watch this featured animation, you’ll see exactly what happens to the structures of the neck during a car accident.

    As the head moves rapidly forward and backward, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles can overstretch and tear. The sensitive nerves in the area may become pinched, causing pain, numbness, and muscle weakness to extend from the neck through the shoulder and into the arm. Since whiplash injuries can cause a range of symptoms—from chronic headaches to dizziness—it’s a good idea to keep a written journal of your accident-related problems and losses. Your personal injury lawyer can use this record for your injury claim.

    Getting a Better Understanding of Whiplash Injuries

    If you consult an attorney in Tracy after an auto accident, one injury he or she will want to know if you are suffering from is whiplash. New research into whiplash has indicated that more people than expected suffer from chronic complications after whiplash, which could influence the amount of compensation your personal injury lawyer pursues on your behalf.

    Watch this video to learn more about whiplash injuries and what new research is saying about chronic pain and other complications. Personal injury lawyers consider the chronic effects of injuries when determining how much compensation is appropriate after an accident. Your injury lawyer may ask you to consult with your doctor about your likelihood of having chronic problems to make the best plan for your case.

  • Rights to Compensation After Crash

    Replacement And Rights in Tracy, CA

    What Are Your Rights to Compensation After a Catastrophic Injury?

    Catastrophic injuries are often associated with motor vehicle crashes. Often, personal injury lawyers who handle catastrophic injury cases work with clients who have been involved in big rig crashes and motorcycle accidents, although other incidents such as dog attacks can also inflict catastrophic injuries. Due to the complexity of these cases, it’s essential to get in touch with a lawyer in Tracy or Manteca right away to discuss your right to seek compensation.

    Auto Accident Injury Attorney in Tracy, CA

    Defining Catastrophic Injuries

    The legal definition of catastrophic injuries is broad. It encompasses every type of severe injury that is expected to result in life-altering and long-term problems. This includes permanent, debilitating, and disfiguring injuries that cause deficits in any major area of an individual’s functioning. For example, some common catastrophic injuries include the amputation of one or more body parts, the loss of vision or hearing, severe burn injuries, partial or total paralysis, and moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). When you meet with your personal injury lawyer, you’ll be asked to sign a waiver to allow him or her access to your medical records.

    Identifying Past Expenses

    After assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the case, your injury lawyer will need to determine the amount of compensation that is reasonable for you to seek. The compensation that may be sought in a lawsuit generally includes past, current, and future damages. Your past expenses will likely include costs for surgeries, hospitalization, diagnostics, physical therapy, and other specialized therapies. You might have needed to purchase durable medical equipment, pay for modifications to your home to allow accessibility, and perhaps hire an in-home health aide. It’s important to keep track of all of these expenses. Give copies of your receipts to your injury lawyer.

    Calculating Future Needs

    Since catastrophic injuries result in long-term, if not permanent deficits, your lawyer may consult with various experts to determine your anticipated future care needs. These might include additional surgeries, treatments for potential complications, long-term rehabilitative services, medications, and similar expenses. Additionally, you may request compensation for your anticipated partial or total unemployment.

    Get Compensated to Replace a Car Seat After a Crash

    After a car accident, there is a good chance that your child’s car seat should be replaced, even if there is no obvious damage. Many manufacturers suggest replacement after even a minor accident. If you are dealing with the aftermath of an accident that was not your fault, your personal injury attorney in Tracy or Livermore can help you navigate the process of seeking compensation for all of your damage, including your car seat.

    Expert Auto Accident Injury Attorney in Tracy, CA

    Under California law, a child’s car seat must be replaced if the seat was occupied at the time of the accident. If your child was in the car when the accident occurred, your attorney will pursue replacement on your behalf on these grounds. If the seat was not occupied when the crash occurred, then your attorney can still seek a replacement car seat at no cost to you based on the manufacturer’s recommendation or by demonstrating that the accident does not qualify as a minor crash.

  • How do I know if my dog bite is infected?

    Dog Bite Injuries in Tracy, CA

    What Injuries Are Common After a Dog Bite?

    Even the gentlest of dogs can inexplicably attack a person and inflict serious injuries. Puncture wounds, nerve damage, and infections can lead to significant medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. After a dog attack, you can find the help you need at the office of a seasoned personal injury lawyer serving Tracy and Livermore. Your lawyer will ask to review your medical records and documentation of your losses in order to provide effective guidance on your case.

    Dog Bite Attorney in Tracy, CA

    Puncture Wounds
    Given how friendly most dogs are, it’s easy to forget that they have very sharp teeth. When a dog attacks, the puncture wounds can penetrate deep into the tissues, inflicting significant pain and damage. As soon as you’ve gotten away from the dog, you should tightly press a clean cloth or bandage to all of the puncture wounds to slow the bleeding. Many dog attack victims must receive sutures in the hospital to close the wounds. To help your personal injury lawyer substantiate your case, you may choose to take pictures of your wounds.

    Nerve Damage
    Long after the puncture wounds have healed, you might still experience painful symptoms if the dog’s teeth inflicted nerve damage. Nerve pain can be debilitating, and it’s often accompanied by numbness, tingling, or burning sensations. You may also have muscle weakness in the area. Since nerves regenerate very slowly, these symptoms may affect you for months to come.

    Infections
    As your personal injury case progresses, you should periodically update your injury lawyer regarding any changes in your health. For instance, many dog attack victims develop secondary infections from bite wounds. If you experience worsening pain, increasing redness and swelling, or an abnormal, foul-smelling discharge from the wound, you need to seek prompt medical attention. It’s crucial to treat the infection before it can spread to the bloodstream.

    Emotional Injuries
    It can be emotionally traumatic to be attacked by a dog. You may find yourself becoming irrationally fearful when you see or hear dogs. In severe cases, dog attack victims are reluctant to go outside the home because they fear another attack. Consider speaking with a mental health counselor about these issues. Let your lawyer know if you’re receiving psychiatric care, as you may be compensated for these expenses.

    Common Injuries and Infections Caused by Dog Bites

    Even the most well-behaved, even-tempered dog can sometimes attack others. If you’ve been attacked and injured by another person’s dog, you’ll likely have steep medical bills and you may even have lasting health problems that require ongoing care. Fortunately, there may be legal recourse available to you. Consider talking to a personal injury lawyer in Tracy or Livermore. Your lawyer can review your case and discuss the process of seeking a settlement or filing a lawsuit. It’s important to keep careful records of your injuries and all related expenses; your attorney will need this information to obtain just compensation on your behalf.

    Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer in Tracy, CA

    Puncture Wounds
    Puncture wounds are among the most common types of injuries caused by dog attacks. These can range from superficial scrapes to deep gashes. All types of dog attack injuries require medical care; even superficial scrapes pose a risk of infection. Plus, your medical records will substantiate the claim filed by your injury lawyer. Regarding mild to moderate puncture wounds, some experts recommend letting it bleed for a minute or two to cleanse the wound. Of course, if the wound is in your neck or head or is gushing forcefully, or if you’ve already lost a lot of blood, your first priority should be slowing the flow of blood by applying direct pressure. Then, call 911 without delay.

    Staph Infections
    Dog bite wounds are notoriously prone to developing infections. One common infection is the staph infection, which is caused by bacteria. These infections can be life-threatening. The signs and symptoms of staph infections can include skin redness, swelling, oozing discharge, and rashes with blisters. If the staph infection enters the bloodstream, fever and low blood pressure can result. The infection can also travel to internal organs. Additionally, staph bacteria produce toxins that can cause toxic shock syndrome, resulting in symptoms such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and confusion.

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    Dogs may be man’s best friend, but they can be terrifying when they attack. The fear a victim can feel during the attack can lead to PTSD. Individuals with PTSD may become unusually frightened of seeing dogs or hearing dogs bark. Some people may refuse to leave the house. PTSD can cause nightmares, depression, mood swings, and other debilitating problems.