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Recognizing the Symptoms of Compartment Syndrome After a Car Accident
Aches and pains after a vehicle collision are normal, since your body has absorbed a significant amount of force from the impact. However, in some cases, this soreness is caused by more than just minor muscle injuries, and it may indicate a more troublesome condition, known as compartment syndrome. This is an ailment in which pressure builds inside the muscle compartments. If left untreated, it can begin to cut off blood flow to the affected area, resulting in serious complications. Such injuries are usually seen in the legs, but they can also occur in the hands, arms, or feet. Compartment syndrome may be either chronic or acute; most cases resulting from an auto accident are acute, which can be more dangerous.
Warning Signs of Compartment Syndrome
3 Types of Car Accident Injuries With Devastating Health Effects
One of the most common questions drivers or passengers struggle with when they are hurt in a car accident is whether their injuries are considered serious, or if they should be concerned about their long-term health. In many cases, when people have a headache or some aches or pains for a few days following an accident, they are tempted to brush the symptoms off with the hopeful assumption that they will soon be on the mend. However, severe and minor injuries alike can be tricky to assess, as some are subtle at first and then gradually worsen over time, while others are immediately noticeable.
Injuries That May Result in Long-Term Damage
While some car crash injuries are thankfully minor or temporary, others end up being catastrophic personal injuries that alter our lives forever. A few examples of such devastating injuries include:
Helping Your Teen Be a Safe and Responsible Driver in Illinois
The mere thought of your teenager experiencing a car accident or injury can be incredibly overwhelming, especially as you watch him or her venture out onto the open road as a new driver for the first time. Statistically speaking, the number of teen drivers has declined significantly over the past 30 years. According to a 2016 study, almost half of all 16-year-olds were licensed drivers back in 1983, but less than a quarter of teens had their license at this age in 2016. The increasing cost of insurance and fuel, paired with increased access to public transit systems and rideshare programs, are all believed to be at least partially responsible for this change. Yet, most teens do eventually get their license. In fact, almost two thirds of all 19-year-olds were documented as having their license in 2016. What do these trends mean for parents, and how can you help to ensure your teen is a safe and responsible driver, regardless of age? Below are a few tips for both parents and their kids when experiencing this milestone:
4 Steps Drivers Should Take to Prevent Car Accidents
Whether you are a driver, bicyclist, pedestrian, or motorcyclist, every time you venture out onto the open road, you are at risk for accidents and injuries. It is important to remember that everyone shares the same roadways and has the same rights by law. Depending on your mode of transportation, however, you may have different disadvantages that make you more susceptible to injury in a collision. Whether you are involved in a car accident or a motorcycle accident or have been struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, you should be sure to understand your options for pursuing compensation for your injuries. It is also important to understand the steps drivers and others on the road should take to decrease the chances of a collision, since failure to follow the proper safety procedures can lead to a driver being held liable for the injuries and damages that are caused in an accident.
Who Is Liable for Injuries in a Multi-Car Accident in Illinois?
Even when motorists practice safe driving techniques, crashes are a fact of life. Winter weather conditions can sometimes cause a chain reaction if cars start to slide on icy roadways and cannot stop. In other scenarios, speeding or distracted driving may lead to a collision. While many auto accidents involve just one or two vehicles, multiple-vehicle car accidents do occur. In these instances, it can be difficult to determine who is truly at fault for the crash, which can complicate the recovery process for the victims. Thankfully, injured parties can recover compensation with help from the law and a seasoned personal injury attorney.
Who Is Financially Responsible in a Crash?
In Illinois, innocent victims of a crash have the right to seek compensation from the person (or persons) who caused the accident. This responsible individual is otherwise known as the “at-fault party.” It is also important to know that there can be multiple at-fault parties in a crash. The amount of compensation that each liable party must cover is determined by their percentage of fault in the crash.
How Does Seat Belt Use Affect Car Accident Injuries?
There are a wide variety of risky driving behaviors that can result in car accidents, including speeding, driving under the influence, and distracted driving. In many cases, serious injuries can be avoided by proper seat belt use. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), wearing a seat belt properly is one of the single most effective things you can do to protect your safety in the event of a crash. A simple act of prevention can go a long way, and seat belts can protect against injuries and may even save a life in an automobile accident. However, serious injuries can occur even when a person is wearing a seat belt, and car accident victims should work with an attorney to determine their legal options for recovering compensation from a driver who was at fault for a collision.
4 Injury Symptoms to Watch for After an Illinois Car Accident
It is all too easy to miss signs of injury in the aftermath of a car accident, as the incident instantly triggers a cloud of confusion, adrenaline, and shock. Whether the collision is a minor fender-bender or a serious head-on crash at an intersection, the experience can have major consequences on a victim’s health and well-being. The human body is a fragile system, and it does not take much for a mild injury to cause significant damage. If you are the victim of a car crash, you may lose your ability to function normally, and in some cases, this can result in life-altering changes to your health.
Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
It is important to take any auto accident injury seriously, since it can have devastating consequences if left untreated. That is why you should see a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
3 Safety Practices to Prevent Motorcycle Collisions and Injuries
Whether you prefer riding your motorcycle in warm, sunny weather, or you ride daily, come rain or shine, you know the risks that come with operating a motorcycle, regardless of the time of year. Doing your best to avoid a motorcycle accident begins with the understanding that operating a bike requires a different skillset and knowledge than the competence needed to drive an automobile. While you certainly cannot control the driving behavior of others around you, there are some safety practices that every motorcyclist can put into action to decrease their chances of accident and injury.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
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Carry the proper license - While it is true that licensing regulations vary for motorcyclists from state to state, a motorcycle license endorsement is required, no matter which state you reside in. A combination of written and riding skills tests must be completed in order to obtain an official license endorsement and demonstrate that you have the necessary experience and knowledge to safely ride a motorcycle. Carrying the proper license may not guarantee your protection from a motorcycle accident and injury, but it definitely increases your chances of being able to ride efficiently and effectively so you are prepared to operate your bike in the safest way possible.
What Should I Do After Being Involved in a Winter Car Accident?
Being a passenger in an automobile accident of any kind is frightening, especially in the moments immediately following the crash. No matter how minor or major the collision, shock and confusion kick in, leaving you wondering if you suffered injuries, who else may be hurt, and what exactly happened that caused the crash in the first place. Motor vehicle collisions can be even scarier during the winter season, as weather conditions can leave you feeling even more vulnerable and unsure of what to do next while you wait on the side of the road for help to arrive.
Tips for Handling a Car Crash in Winter Weather
Whether you are involved in a major pile-up on an icy, treacherous interstate or are the victim of a small fender-bender due to low visibility on a snowy night, here are some tips for what to do immediately following a car accident in inclement weather conditions:
What Are the Most Common Signs and Causes of Aggressive Driving?
The list of behaviors that lead to daily car accident injuries across the United States seems endless. From driving under the influence to distracted driving to driver fatigue, actions that increase the risk of a collision are inherently dangerous, regardless of the circumstances. According to most public safety awareness campaigns and driving instruction courses, the very best piece of advice for reducing the chances of being involved in a car crash is to practice defensive driving. While you cannot control another driver’s actions behind the wheel, you can do your best to protect your own safety by remaining alert and vigilant to all that is happening around you on the roadways.