What Are Common Delayed Car Accident Symptoms?

It is important to seek medical attention after a car accident. Even though you may not be experiencing noticeable or immediate symptoms, you should seek medical clearance from a doctor. During and after an accident, your body could experience an adrenaline rush, which could keep you from feeling injury symptoms. Delayed car accident injuries could occur in the days or weeks after an accident.

Common delayed injury symptoms could include:

• Headaches. A headache could be a sign of a concussion or whiplash.
• Localized pain and stiffness. Localized pain, such as back pain or neck pain could be a symptom of a larger problem, such as whiplash or a herniated disc injury. You could have a soft tissue injury.
• Emotional injuries. It is possible to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a car accident. Changes in mood or behavior could be an effect of your car accident.

Do I Need to Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident?

If you are experiencing any symptoms after an accident, you should see a medical professional.  You should continue to see a doctor until your symptoms stop. Depending on the circumstances, your symptoms could be a serious health concern.

In addition, when you try to file a claim with your insurance company, they will use your medical history to assess your injury claim. If you do not have medical history after your accident, the insurance company may try to claim that your car accident injuries were not severe enough to seek medical attention.

Contact a Lufkin Car Accident Attorney Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver or entity, we recommend that you contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
At Mike Love & Associates, LLC, our Lufkin attorneys advocate for the victims of car accidents throughout Texas. We could help you gather evidence, file your claim and defend you against the insurance companies. Call us today at (936) 632-2000 for a free, confidential consultation.

3 Common Soft Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident

A soft tissue injury is any injury that affects your body’s soft tissues. Soft tissues include muscles, tendons and ligaments. Three common soft tissue injuries that could be sustained in a car accident include:Common Soft Tissue Injury #1: WhiplashWhiplash occurs when a sudden force, like a car collision, causes the head and neck to jerk backward or forward. It affects the neck and back, but it could also cause a head concussion. Effects could include pain and stiffness, nerve damage, headaches and cognitive issues.Common Soft Tissue Injury #2: ContusionsA contusion is a bruise that occurs from blunt force or impact. It affects underlying muscle and tissue. Contusions can cause inflammation, swelling and mobility issues. Depending on the severity of the accident and without medical attention, contusions could cause permanent damage to the body’s soft tissue.Common Soft Tissue Injury #3: Herniated Disc InjuriesSome accident survivors experience back pain. The back is full of soft tissue that is especially vulnerable in the event of a collision. Herniated disc injuries could occur when force is placed on the back and moves a spinal disc out of place. The spinal disc could put pressure on surrounding nerve tissue, causing sharp pain in the back and other limbs.

Should I Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident?

Yes. First, soft tissue injuries are not visible injuries. Soft tissue injuries could have delayed symptoms for up to a few days, which could make it difficult to identify the source of your pain. Unlike a broken bone, soft tissue injuries cannot be seen using X-rays. Since soft-tissue injuries are not visible to the eye like other car accident injuries, speaking with a doctor is even more important when you want to file a claim with your insurance company or against another driver. Proof that you have received medical attention is important, because insurance companies use medical history to assess the validity of your injury. You should continue seeking medical attention if your injury symptoms persist.

Need a Lufkin Car Accident Attorney?

If you have been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver or entity, contact the car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC. We advocate for victims of car accidents in Lufkin and the surrounding East Texas areas. You could have a viable case to recover compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (936) 632-2000 to discuss your situation.

Beware of Dog: Not All Dogs are Man’s Best Friend

In 2014, KFC was accused of asking the family of a disfigured 3-year-old girl to leave the restaurant. Three months prior to this incident, the girl had been attacked by three Pit Bulls while visiting her grandfather. Although the girl survived the attack, she lost sight in one eye and can no longer move the right side of her face. Her parents described how she could no longer look at herself in the mirror and did not want to be seen in public. This story is an example of how dog attacks can leave victims physically and emotionally scarred.Dog attacks are common in the US. According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, 800,000 people in the US receive medical attention for dog bites each year. Statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that during 2015, more than 28,000 people in the US required reconstructive surgery after being attacked by dogs. Children are more likely to suffer severe injuries, such as disfigurement, after an attack.Even minor dog bites can cause severe health complications. Centers of Disease Control (CDC) statistics published in 2015 show that there is an average of 4.5 million dog bites in the US each year. Roughly one in five of these bites become infected. Although many of these bites result in minor infections, some bites transmit MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MRSA infections are more difficult to treat because this type of bacteria is resistant to antibiotics.Attacks can also be fatal. Some organizations, such as Dogbites.org, keep a running tally of the yearly deaths caused by dog attacks.

Are Owners Responsible for Dog Bites?

Dog owners may be liable for injuries or deaths caused by their pets. It would depend on the circumstances.In Texas, a dog owner may be liable for an attack if he or she knew the dog was dangerous and it attacks someone. For example, the owner may have been aware that the dog had a history of aggressive tendencies. The owner may also be liable if they do not properly restrain the dog and it attacks someone. In these cases, it may be possible for victims or their family members to file lawsuits for damages.The type of breed is an important factor for determining damages during a dog bite lawsuit. Although there are certainly many Pit Bull fans in the US, these dogs are more physically capable of causing significant harm to a person than smaller dogs, such as a Pomeranian.If you or a loved one were attacked, then an attorney could help determine whether the owner is liable. There are nuances to dog bite statutes in Texas, so it is important to discuss your situation with an experienced personal injury attorney. Damages from a dog bite lawsuit could help pay for medical bills, reconstructive surgery or funeral expenses. Pain and suffering damages, also called noneconomic damages, may be included in cases that involve disfigurement or psychological trauma.If you or a loved one were attacked by a dog, the Texas personal injury lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can investigate your eligibility for filing a lawsuit.