St. Petersburg Accident Blog

Falls and Car Accidents Cause Most Children’s Injuries

More children die from a preventable injury than all the diseases combined.  According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) car accidents are a leading cause of children’s deaths.  The report by the CDC also found that falls are the major cause of injuries among children.

Researchers have estimated that approximately 8,000 children are killed each you in a car accident, pedestrian accident or bicycle accident.  The study showed that car accidents are to blame for the majority of deaths in the 5 to 19 age group.

Car accidents can have many causes, including negligence, distractions, poor road conditions or other driver behavior.  Child passenger seats have been created to help protect a child in a car accident, but unfortunately serious injuries still often occur.  When a child is injured in an auto accident, it can lead to traumatic brain injury, head trauma, spinal cord injury and other conditions.

According to the study, southern states and those in the upper plains had the highest amount of children’s deaths from traffic accidents.  States in the northwest region had the lowest rate of transportation-related deaths.

When an auto accident is caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.  Contact the Law Offices of William K. Saron at (866) 836-4947 or (727) 345-4566 for legal advice regarding your Florida car accident case.

Compensation Available for Car Accidents in Florida

After a car accident, it is not uncommon to face mounting bills, with little to no income to pay them.  During your recovery, you may incur high medical expenses and be forced to take time away from work.  When an auto accident is caused by the other driver, you may be able to collect compensation for your injuries that will help your financial situation.

Florida is considered a no-fault insurance state, which means that when you are injured in a car accident, your injuries will be covered by your own insurance company, regardless of who was at fault.  The compensation available depends on your policy limits.  The insurance company is supposed to reimburse you for the majority of your medical expenses, some of your lost wages and other expenses relating to your injury.  If the other driver was injured in the accident, his or her insurance policy should cover any injuries that the driver sustained.

Even though Florida has a no-fault insurance law, in some instances you can still file a lawsuit against the negligent party.  For example, if you sustained a permanent injury from the car accident or if someone in the vehicle died, you have the legal right to sue the other driver to recover compensation beyond what is provided by the insurance company.

There are two categories of monetary damages available in car accident cases – economic and non-economic.  Economic damages include medical expenses, past and future lost wages, lost support and services, replacement value and other expenses associated with economic loss.  Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish and inconvenience.  The jury will decide what damages you are entitled to based on the evidence presented before them in court.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Florida, contact the Law Offices of William K. Saron to determine how much your case is worth.  Call (866) 836-4947 or (727) 345-4566 today. 

The article, What Damages are Available in a Car Accident Case, has more information on this topic. 

Back Injuries Caused By Florida Car Accidents & Falls Can Be Serious

Back pain can often indicate a serious problem, such as a herniated disc, spine fracture or spinal cord injury.  When a back injury is caused by a car accident, fall or other sudden event, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Pain associated with a back injury can last for several years.  Some back injury victims experience pain and discomfort for decades and others face permanent disabilities resulting from the injury.  The amount of pain from a back injury can vary depending on the cause of the accident.  Those who are forced to deal with back pain on a daily basis find that it takes away from their ability to function normally and may even prevent them from working in the same capacity as before the injury occurred.

Back pain can be caused by an injury to the ligaments or muscles, a spine dislocation, torn or ruptured disc or nerve compression known as cauda equine syndrome.  If the pain is caused by a spinal cord injury, it can lead to permanent paralysis.

A physician will try to determine the cause of the back pain by conducting diagnostic studies, including x-rays, CT scans and MRI scans, as well as a physical exam.  Usually rehabilitation and physical therapy are recommended to improve the function of the back, but in some situations, surgery is required.  Surgery is an option when a nerve is pinched, the spinal cord is compressed or there is too much movement between the bones in the spine.

The article, “Serious Back Injuries from Car Crashes and Slip and Fall Accidents,” has more information on back injuries.

If you have sustained a back injury from a fall or car accident, you may be entitled to compensation.  Contact the Law Offices of William K. Saron at (866) 836-4947 or (727) 345-4566.