Car accidents occur frequently in California, leading to injuries that can significantly impact the lives of those involved. Knowing the most common car accident injuries helps with both prevention and recovery.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in California car accidents, caused by the sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck during a collision. This injury often results in neck pain, stiffness, and headaches, which can be disabling for victims. Symptoms of whiplash may not appear immediately after the accident, making it important to seek medical attention, even if you feel fine initially.
Concussion
Concussions are another common injury in car accidents, particularly if the victim sustains a significant blow to the head. A concussion can lead to symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, and headaches. These symptoms may not appear right away, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. If you suspect you have a concussion after a car accident, seek medical attention to avoid further complications.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are serious outcomes of car accidents and can lead to life-altering effects. These injuries occur when a force impacts the head, causing brain damage. Symptoms range from mild headaches to severe cognitive impairments and often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe consequences of car accidents and can lead to permanent changes in mobility and sensation. These injuries can occur when the spinal cord is compressed or severed during a collision, often resulting in varying degrees of paralysis.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are common in car accidents, with victims often suffering fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or other areas of the body. These injuries can range from simple fractures that heal relatively quickly to more complex breaks that require extensive medical care.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is a serious injury that often goes undetected during a car accident, posing significant health risks if not addressed promptly. This injury can result from blunt force trauma to the abdomen or chest, and symptoms may include abdominal pain, dizziness, and weakness. Immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent life-threatening complications.
Soft Tissue Damage
Soft tissue injuries are common in car accidents, involving damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These injuries often result from sudden movements during a collision and can cause long-term pain and discomfort. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and limited range of motion, making it important for victims to seek medical care for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Facial Lacerations
Facial lacerations often occur in car accidents, typically resulting from the impact of airbags, shattered glass, or other debris. These injuries can leave significant scars and cause emotional distress, affecting a victim’s self-esteem. Immediate medical attention is important for assessing the injuries and determining the best course of treatment, which may involve surgery or cosmetic procedures.
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can occur in car accidents, especially when a vehicle catches fire or collides with a hazardous material. These injuries can range from minor burns to severe, life-threatening conditions requiring extensive medical care. Burn injuries often require long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological injury that may develop after a car accident, affecting mental health long after the physical injuries have healed. Symptoms include flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional distress, which can impact daily life and relationships.
Schedule a Consultation with an Encino Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in California, understanding your rights and options for compensation is key to maximizing your potential settlement. Consulting with an experienced Encino personal injury attorney can help you through the legal process so you can focus on recovery. An attorney can guide you through filing an accident claim, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Contact the Encino Personal Injury Lawyers of JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For many car enthusiasts and luxury vehicle owners, aesthetics play a crucial role in vehicle selection. Brands like Tesla, Lexus, and Audi often design their cars without front license plate holders, maintaining a sleek and sophisticated appearance. Some owners even go as far as avoiding front plates to preserve the vehicle’s clean design. However, despite these preferences, California law requires most vehicles to display a front license plate.
While it may seem like a minor detail, failing to comply with this requirement can lead to fines and legal consequences. More importantly, front license plates serve a vital function in law enforcement, helping authorities quickly identify vehicles in various situations. Whether you’re driving a luxury sedan, a sports car, or a standard commuter vehicle, understanding and following California’s license plate laws is essential to staying compliant and avoiding unnecessary penalties.
California License Plate Laws
California Vehicle Code 5200 outlines the requirements for license plate placement. When a vehicle is issued two license plates, one must be affixed to the front and the other to the rear. If only a single plate is issued, it must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, Section 4850.5 establishes specific license plate display regulations for tractor-trailers.
Why Police Need to See Your License Plates
The reason we must display license plates in California is so that the police can easily identify our vehicles. Police rely on correctly mounted license plates to ensure that:
Your registration is in good standing
To see if there has been an arrest warrant or “BOLO” (Be On the Look Out) issued for the driver
To ensure the vehicle hasn’t been reported stolen
To easily identify cars in pursuit or upon observing criminal conduct
In California, police rely on automatic license plate recognition systems to scan license plates so they are not distracted while driving. These recognition systems use cameras to read license plates. If the plates are not properly mounted, such as sitting in a windshield, the plate scanners may not be able to detect them.
When California Only Issues One License Plate
In California, most vehicles are required to display both front and rear license plates. However, certain vehicle types—such as motorcycles, specific commercial truck tractors, trailers, and tow dollies—are issued only a single rear license plate. If a vehicle that typically requires two plates is mistakenly issued only one, the owner should contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) promptly to resolve the issue.
Penalties for Missing a Front License Plate
Not displaying a front license plate is a misdemeanor in California. If you receive a ticket for this offense, you can be fined $250-$1,000 and even incarcerated for up to six months. If it’s your first offense, you might expect to just pay a fine on the lower end of this spectrum. If this is a law you’ve broken numerous other times, you may expect to face the maximum penalty.
Installing a Front License Plate Holder
If you own a car with no license plate holder on the front bumper, you can purchase one online and easily install it just by turning a few screws. License plate holders are made by third parties and by car manufacturers themselves. Regardless of which one you choose, these items are easy to install in just a few minutes.
Have California Driving Law Questions?
While some vehicle owners may prefer the look of a car without a front license plate, compliance with California law is essential to avoid fines and other legal consequences. The front plate plays a critical role in law enforcement efforts, helping police identify vehicles in real-time. If your car was not originally equipped with a front license plate holder, installing one is a simple and effective way to ensure compliance.
For any concerns regarding California’s vehicle laws or potential legal issues, consulting a knowledgeable attorney can provide clarity and guidance. Staying informed and following state regulations will help you avoid unnecessary penalties and keep your vehicle legally registered on the road.
Contact the Encino Personal Injury Lawyers of JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Car accidents are a common occurrence in California. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering how much you can expect to receive in a potential car accident settlement.
The average car accident settlement in California can vary widely depending on the severity of the accident and injuries. An Encino car accident lawyer can help you maximize potential compensation.
Different Types of Auto Accidents May Have Different Settlements
The type of car accident you are involved in can play a role in determining the severity of your injuries and the potential value of a settlement.
Common types of motor vehicle accidents that result in settlements include:
Rear-end collisions: These typically result in whiplash and minor injuries.
T-bone accidents: These typically cause serious injuries due to the side impact.
Head-on collisions: These accidents frequently lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Rollover accidents: Settlement amounts can vary widely, but severe injuries or death often result from these crashes.
Hit-and-run accidents: Hit-and-run accidents can complicate settlement claims because the at-fault driver may not be identified. The average settlement for hit-and-run accidents depends on the severity of the injuries and damages and limits of your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
Each case is unique. A settlement will depend on factors such as fault, injuries, and the available insurance coverage.
How Are Personal Injury Settlements Calculated in California?
Economic damages: These damages account for your tangible, out-of-pocket costs. These typically include current and future medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and other related expenses.
Non-economic damages: These damages account for subjective losses after an accident. These typically include pain and suffering, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement or disability.
It is important to calculate your total damages before agreeing to a settlement. You do not want to accept an offer that will not fully compensate you for the long-term effects of an accident.
How Much Will I Get From a Car Accident Settlement in California?
The amount you receive from a car accident settlement in California will depend on the circumstances of your accident.
Factors that may influence your settlement and how much compensation goes into your pocket include:
Severity of injuries: More serious injuries result in higher compensation.
Fault and liability: California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation can be reduced if you are partially at fault for the accident. A settlement offer in your case may be reduced accordingly if the facts suggest that you may be partly liable.
Insurance coverage: A car accident settlement with an insurance company cannot exceed the limits of an insurance policy.
Impact on your life: Settlements will consider your damages and whether you need ongoing medical care or have permanent disability or trauma. This may increase the settlement value of your claim.
Minor accidents might result in settlements of $5,000 to $15,000, while severe cases involving permanent injuries or fatalities can lead to settlements of $500,000 to $1 million or more. An Encino personal injury lawyer can evaluate what you may get from a settlement.
How An Encino Personal Injury Lawyer Can Maximize Your Settlement
An Encino personal injury lawyer will fight to recover maximum compensation for your accident in a car accident settlement.
This can be accomplished by:
Reviewing medical records to understand the full extent of your injuries and required treatments
Gathering evidence of your pain, suffering, and the accident’s impact on your daily life
Consulting with medical experts, economists, and other experts to project future costs related to your care and lost income
Negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement offer that considers your current and future needs
A lawyer’s experience can significantly affect the value of a potential settlement.
An Encino Car Accident Lawyer Can Help the Settlement Process
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in California, you may have a claim for injuries and other damages. An Encino car accident lawyer can help you pursue a claim and car accident settlement for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can fight to recover maximum compensation on your behalf.
Contact the Encino Car Accident Lawyers of JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
In the aftermath of a car accident, it can be easy to forget one of the most important steps to take: reporting the crash. Filing an accident report may be the last thing on your mind after a traumatic event like a traffic collision. However, failing to report the incident can not only cause you to lose opportunities for compensation, but it can also come with serious legal consequences.
Our attorneys understand the importance of timely and accurate reporting to protect your rights. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the key aspects of car accident reporting in California.
When Should I Report a California Car Accident?
Reporting a car accident should be done as soon as possible after the incident occurs. Prompt reporting allows law enforcement authorities to document the scene, gather evidence, and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
The accident resulted in property damage exceeding $1,000, or
Anyone was injured or killed.
However, it is difficult to know the extent of damage or injuries at the time of the accident, so it’s best to report the crash anyway.
The specific time frame for reporting a car accident may vary depending on state laws and the circumstances of the collision. In California, drivers are generally required to report accidents to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within ten days.
However, according to CVC § 20008, if the accident results in injury or death, the driver must file a written report with the police within 24 hours. If the accident involves a company car, under CVC § 16002, the driver must report it to their employer within five days.
Do I Have to Report a Car Accident in California?
In many cases, you are legally obligated to report a car accident to the appropriate authorities. While you may not need to report a minor collision (e.g., involving no property damage or injuries), it is hard to know right away whether the accident had those impacts. That is why, even for minor accidents, it is best to report.
Failure to report an accident may result in legal consequences and complications.
According to California law, some potential consequences include:
Up to a year in jail or up to four years in prison, depending upon the circumstances
In addition, collision reports can provide valuable evidence if you bring a claim for damages later, whether for bodily injury, property damage, or emotional distress. These reports serve as official documentation of the incident and can verify details that you have included in your claim.
How Do I Report a Car Accident in California?
To report a crash, you can call 911 or fill out a car accident report form, which can typically be obtained from your local police department, sheriff’s office, or DMV. The form requires detailed information about the accident, including the date, time, location, parties involved, and a description of the damages.
According to CVC § 20010, the driver must make the report. However, if the driver is incapacitated and unable to report, that responsibility falls on any passengers of that car.
The car accident report should be filed with the appropriate law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the collision occurred. This may be your local police department, sheriff’s office, or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) if the accident happened on a highway or interstate. You can use the SR-1 reporting form.
A California Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Obtain Your Crash Report
Reporting a car accident is a critical step in the aftermath of a collision. Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through the car accident reporting process and advocate for your rights.
Contact the Encino Car Accident Lawyers of JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
