Our Philadelphia Auto Accident Lawyer Discusses Car Accidents and Neck Injuries
Complete accuracy in identifying all the forces at play in car accidents is impossible because, a Philadelphia auto accident lawyer says, they involve so many variables. Each accident has its own characteristics that can make the difference between slight and serious injury. Any reasonably accurate assessment of the actual forces from a car accident requires expert engineering skills. Our Philadelphia auto accident lawyer, however, can estimate roughly the potential risk of neck injury from whiplash by examining the evaluating factors:
The angle of the collision. Was the impact to the car straight-on, from the side, or at some oblique angle? An impact is generally less forceful straight-on than from an angle as the off-center impact may twist the spine.
The speed and weight of the rear car. In rear-enders the faster and heavier the rear car, the more force it places on the front car. A large truck at five miles per hour (mph) can do much more damage than can a small car at 20 mph.
Road conditions. Was the road surface dry, wet, slick, or icy? Was the road composition asphalt, concrete, or gravel? The distance a car moves after a collision is critical, and the road surface can make an apparently minor accident worse than it first may appear.
Occupant head position. Was the injured occupant looking straight forward, or was the head turned, exposing the spine to more complex stresses and increasing the risk of injury?
Gender. Women are at a much higher risk of chronic whiplash pain than are men. Experts suggest that this increased risk may be due to anatomical or seating position differences.
Occupant awareness. Whiplash trauma lessens when the occupant has awareness of and an opportunity to brace for the collision, preventing hyperextension of the head. Bracing arms and legs, however, can injure these areas as well. A clear idea of what the injured occupant did at the instant of the collision is always helpful but often difficult to ascertain.
Consult a Car Accident Lawyer Philadelphia Residents Trust
After a car accident, seek counsel from a qualified and experienced car accident attorney in Philadelphia as soon as possible for help in recovering full and fair compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, property damage, and pain and suffering. Caiazzo Law has decades of legal service in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley and will do a free evaluation of potential compensation for every client to find out at no cost to them whether they have valid claims. Call us today to schedule the free initial consultation. Unnecessary delay could make the difference between a successful claim and a lost opportunity for just compensation from the responsible party.