Can Underinflated Tires Cause Car Accidents?

Some of the most common causes of car accidents are entirely preventable. For example, distracted driving accidents can be prevented by always keeping your attention focused on the road. Drunk driving accidents are preventable if you do not get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Maintaining your vehicle is another essential step all motorists should take to take.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire issues cause approximately 11,000 car accidents yearly. Underinflated tires are one of the most common tire issues that can cause tire blowouts and other potentially serious car accidents.

What Are the Risks of Driving With Underinflated Tires?

Now that summer is here, the increase in temperature will impact the pounds per square inch (PSI) inside your vehicle’s tires. Tire blowouts are one of the most common safety hazards associated with underinflated tires. When a tire has low air pressure, more of the tire comes in contact with the road. This generates heat, leading to a tire blowout or an explosion. When this happens, maintaining control of the vehicle can be very difficult.

How Can I Ensure That My Tires Are Properly Inflated?

You do not need to be a trained mechanic to check your tires’ air pressure and ensure that they are correctly inflated. The recommended tire pressure is usually found on the driver’s side door jam or in the owner’s manual.

The best way to check the air pressure in the tires is to purchase a tire gauge. Unscrew the valve cap on the tire, place the gauge onto the valve stem and wait for a reading. The PSI measurement will appear on the screen if you have a digital gauge. With a standard gauge, the air pressure will push a small bar out from the bottom of the gauge and provide the PSI measurement. 

What Other Tires Safety Tips Should I Keep in Mind?

The following are tire safety recommendations that all motorists should follow:

  • Check the tire treads. If the tread is worn down, the tires have less grip and traction. This can be particularly hazardous during inclement weather conditions. A mechanic can check the tread, or you can check it by doing the “penny test,” placing a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you should probably replace the tires.
  • Have the tires rotated. Tires should generally be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
  • Use the right tires for your vehicle. Always use the tire size recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Savannah Car Wreck Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Those Injured in Tire-Related Car Accidents

If you were involved in a tire-related car accident, contact our Savannah car wreck lawyers at Kicklighter Law. To schedule a consultation, call us at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. Located in Springfield, Georgia, we serve clients in Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.

Can Seatbelts Cause Injuries From a Car Accident?

Seatbelts are extremely effective at reducing the severity of injuries, and preventing fatalities resulting from serious car accidents. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 45 percent. However, a seatbelt can also cause injuries, particularly if the force of impact from the collision was extreme. While this is certainly not a reason to stop wearing a seatbelt, whether you are behind the wheel, in the passenger seat, or in the back seat, you may be eligible for financial compensation if the other driver was at fault for causing the accident. An experienced car wreck lawyer can help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver, and pursue the maximum financial settlement that you deserve for your injuries.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Seatbelt Injuries?

In addition to holding passengers in place, and preventing them from being ejected from the vehicle in the event of a car accident, they also dissipate the force of the impact to the strongest parts of the body, including the clavicle, chest wall, and superior pelvis. However, the seatbelt itself can cause injuries if it is not positioned properly, is misused, or does not fit correctly. The following are additional causes of potentially serious seatbelt injuries:

  • The vehicle was traveling at a high speed at the time of the accident.
  • The seatbelt was defective, or malfunctioned.
  • The seatbelt was buckled too tightly.
  • A child is not secured in the appropriate car seat for their age and weight.
  • The accident was catastrophic.

What Are Examples of Seatbelt Injuries?

Unfortunately, seatbelts can cause a range of injuries, the severity of which will depend on a number of factors, including how fast you and the other vehicle involved were traveling, the size of the other vehicle involved, and whether you and the other passengers in the vehicle were wearing the seatbelt properly. The following are examples of possible seatbelt injuries that can occur in a car accident:

  • Lacerations and abrasions
  • Whiplash
  • Tears to the muscles, tendons, and connective tissue
  • Fractured ribs, vertebrae, and other bones in the area of impact
  • Internal bleeding
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Chest injuries
  • Disc injuries
  • Organ damage

What Damages Am I Entitled to If I Suffered a Seatbelt Injury?

If the other driver involved in the accident was at-fault, you can file a personal injury lawsuit and seek compensation from the at-fault motorist. If the seatbelt injury was caused by a defective seatbelt, the seatbelt manufacturer may be liable for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover damages from the at-fault driver and the seatbelt manufacturer. It is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced car accident lawyer, particularly if there are multiple defendants involved in the case. A dedicated car accident lawyer will review the details of your case, and pursue the maximum financial damages you deserve, including:

  • Medical expenses associated with your injury
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering

What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Seatbelt?

While seatbelt injuries do happen, the benefits of wearing a seatbelt clearly outweigh any risks. The following statistics support the use of seatbelts, whether your are the driver, the front seat passenger, or riding in the back seat:

  • Front seat drivers and passengers reduce the risk of serious injuries by 50 percent when they wear a seatbelt. The risk of fatal injuries is reduced by 45 percent.
  • You are 30 times more likely to be ejected from your vehicle during an accident if you are not wearing a seatbelt. Seventy-five percent of passengers who are ejected from the vehicle suffered fatal injuries.
  • Men who do not wear a seatbelt are more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a car accident than women.
  • Roughly 4,000 lives could be saved each year if all passengers wore a seatbelt.

Savannah Car Wreck Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Victims of Seatbelt Injuries

If you suffered a seatbelt injury in a car accident that was caused by another motorist, do not hesitate to contact the Savannah car wreck lawyers at Kicklighter Law. We will review the details of your case to determine who is liable for your injuries. Our dedicated legal team will assist you with every step of the claims process and negotiate the financial settlement that you deserve. To schedule a confidential consultation, call us today at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. Our office is located in Springfield, Georgia where we serve clients from Springfield, Effingham County, Savannah, and surrounding areas.

Sources:

https://www.sherrodandbernard.com/blog/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-seat-belt-injury/

 

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/georgia-car-accident-laws.html

What if the At-Fault Driver Lies About Their Role in the Accident?

The majority of car accidents in Georgia are caused by driver error. This can include speeding, distracted driving, running through an intersection or a red light, or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you were involved in a car accident that was caused by another driver, you may be eligible for financial compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the other motorist lied about their role in the accident, this can make the claims process more complicated.

In most cases, negligent drivers lie about their role in a car accident because they want to avoid liability for the crash. As a result, when the police officer at the scene asks questions about the events leading up to the crash, the at-fault driver may lie or intentionally avoid sharing information that would help prove their role in the accident. The following are examples of common driving behaviors that at-fault motorists lie about in an effort to avoid being ticketed, fined, or arrested:

How Do I Prove That the Other Motorist Lied About the Accident?

If the other driver is clearly lying in an effort to avoid liability, you can take proactive steps to help prove that the other driver caused the accident. One of the first things you should do is to start gathering as much evidence as possible if you are physically capable to do so. For example, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, damage to other property, skid marks on the road, debris on the road, traffic signs, and weather conditions at the time of the accident. If there were witnesses who saw the accident, ask if they would be willing to provide a statement and get their contact information.

If you have not already done so, you should call 911 and report the accident, particularly if the at-fault driver refuses to take responsibility for the accident or is lying about important details about the crash. The police officer who arrives at the scene will conduct a preliminary investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

It is also recommended that you contact a skilled car accident lawyer who will take the necessary steps to help prove the other driver is liable.

Why Is Proving Fault So Important in Georgia?

Georgia is a “modified” comparative negligence state, which means that you can recover damages against the other driver who was more at fault than you. However, if you were partly to blame, your financial recovery will be reduced by the percentage that corresponds to your share of liability.

If the at-fault driver lies about their role in the accident, this can impact the outcome of your settlement. A dedicated car accident lawyer can thoroughly review your case, help prove the other driver is held, and recommend the best legal course of action.

Savannah Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Can Help Prove You Were Injured by a Negligent Driver

If you have been injured in a car accident and the at-fault driver lied about their role, you are urged to contact our Savannah car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law at your earliest convenience. We can thoroughly review the details of your case. To schedule a consultation, call us at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. Located in Springfield, Georgia, we proudly serve clients in Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.

What Are Some Symptoms of Whiplash From a Car Accident?

Whiplash happens when the neck forcibly bends forward and backward. It is a common car accident injury, especially when a vehicle gets hit from behind. That sudden, violent movement can force spinal discs out of place, tear nerves in the neck and shoulders, and unnaturally stretch or tear tendons and ligaments. Sometimes, the symptoms do not come out for several days.

It is important to seek medical help soon after a car accident in order to diagnose obvious injuries, but whiplash is not always apparent. Without a medical evaluation and treatment, the symptoms could worsen. Besides that, if you are not checked out in a timely manner, others will want to know why you waited so long – the authenticity and severity of the injuries will likely be questioned.

Common symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Dizziness and fatigue: Whiplash often causes dizziness and fatigue, which causes sleeping problems, an inability to concentrate, and a noticeable lack of energy.
  • Headaches: The headache pain from whiplash can lead to pain that radiates in your forehead, but this can also be in other parts of your head.
  • Neck pain and stiffness: Neck pain might come and go, spread to other areas, and become more intense when you move. Stiffness can be felt when you have difficulty moving your neck from left to right or up and down.
  • Sore shoulders and back: That forceful back-and-forth motion to the neck during a car accident can also injure muscles around your spine. You could be feeling irritation and inflammation in your neck as well as your shoulders and back, including burning pain between your shoulder blades and lower back pain.

This is not an all-inclusive list of whiplash symptoms. Others include numbness or tingling sensations in the hands, arms, and fingers, or moodiness, confusion, and depression.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Whiplash?

During a medical evaluation, you will be asked to provide accident details and information about your symptoms. The physician will also want to know if the symptoms are impacting your daily life and if you were able to return to work. A physical exam will be performed. The physician will also check your reflexes, range of motion, and strength. Your pain levels will be analyzed, and any soreness will be noted.

If whiplash is suspected, you may need to complete imaging tests. Mild cases of whiplash are treated with physical therapy, pain medications, cold, heat, and chiropractic care.

Savannah Car Wreck Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Car Accident Survivors With Debilitating Whiplash

If you survived a car accident and need legal help, speak with our Savannah car wreck lawyers at Kicklighter Law. Call us at 912-754-6003 or complete our online form today to schedule a consultation. Located in Springfield, Georgia, we serve clients in Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.

Blind Spot Truck Accidents

Blind spots are the areas surrounding a vehicle that are not visible to the driver, even when using their side and rear-view mirrors. Because of their size, commercial tractor trailers have several blind spots. Smaller passengers vehicles traveling in these blind spots are essentially invisible to truck drivers, this can lead to truck accidents.

For that reason, professional truck drivers receive specialized training on checking mirrors frequently and accounting for vehicles traveling nearby. Drivers who are fatigued, inattentive, or distracted can easily miss vehicles that enter their blind zones—often with devastating consequences to the occupants of those vehicles. If you or someone you love were affected by a truck driver’s negligence on the road, reach out to a truck accident lawyer today.

Where Are Truck Blind Spots?

Most of the nation’s freight is transported on semi-trucks. A standard semi-truck is approximately 8 and a half feet wide, 13 and a half feet tall, and up to 70 feet long. These sizable vehicles have four major blind spots:

  • Front: Truck drivers sit at a height of several feet above the road, creating a blind spot that extends anywhere between 15 to 25 feet out from the front bumper. Vehicles traveling directly in front of the truck in this zone are not visible to the driver.
  • Rear: The blind spot behind a commercial truck is larger, reaching up to 30 feet behind the back bumper. Vehicles should never follow trucks too closely because they are not visible to the truck driver—and because they cannot see the road ahead. If the truck stops suddenly for any reason, the driver behind them will not have much time or distance to react.
  • Left Side: The blind spot on the left side of the truck spans from the driver’s door back to the middle section of the trailer. Other drivers should never linger in this space and should pass quickly on the left to surpass this “no zone” as rapidly as possible.
  • Right Side: The right-side blind spot on the truck is larger than the left, running from the front of the cab all the way to the rear. For this reason, drivers should never attempt to pass trucks on the right. They should stay alert for trucks making wide right turns in front of them. Truck drivers may not see smaller vehicles trying to squeeze by before they make their turn.

Who Is Liable for Blind Spot Accidents with Trucks?

Even if the passenger vehicle is located in a truck’s blind spot when a crash occurs, they are not necessarily responsible for the accident. Every driver has a duty to operate their vehicle in a safe manner.

For truck drivers, that means utilizing their training and education to identify vehicles before they enter blind spots, make safe lane changes, slow down into turns, and maintain the speed limit.

Failure to take any of these safety precautions may constitute negligence. Individuals who are directly injured due to another party’s negligence may be eligible for financial compensation.

But drivers are not the only parties that may be liable for traffic crashes. Accidents involving commercial trucks are more complex than the average auto accident because so many parties are involved, including the mechanic, the parts’ manufacturer, and the driver’s employer.

After any type of motor vehicle accident involving a commercial truck, it is wise to contact a lawyer to discuss the case and take the next steps to pursue compensation for injuries, medical bills, property damage, and other losses.

Savannah Truck Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Provide 5-Star Legal Counsel for Clients Across Georgia

Our skilled Savannah truck accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law have experience with claims against trucking firms, drivers, and insurance companies. We are determined to reach a good outcome for clients injured by careless drivers. Call us at 912-754-6003 or inquire online to schedule a consultation. From our office in Springfield, we assist clients in and around Springfield, Savannah, Effingham County, Georgia, and the surrounding areas.

How Do Potholes Cause Car Accidents?

Some of the most common driving hazards associated with winter weather include slippery road conditions caused by snow, ice and freezing rain. Unfortunately, these wintery conditions combined with fluctuating temperatures and general wear and tear on the roadways can cause potholes to form. In addition to the damage these potholes can cause to your vehicle, they also increase the risk of serious car accidents, particularly if a pothole causes you or another motorist to lose control of the vehicle. If you were seriously injured in a car accident that was caused by a pothole, an experienced car accident lawyer can assist you with the claims process, determine who is liable for your injuries, and pursue the financial compensation you deserve.

What Property Damage Do Potholes Cause?

If you have ever hit a pothole while driving, you know that hitting a pothole can cause significant structural and mechanical damage to your vehicle, including:

  • Tire blowouts and wheel damage. If the pothole is deep, and there are rough or sharp edges, it can puncture the tire or cause it to split. When this happens, the air inside the tire rapidly releases, which can cause a blowout. If the blowout causes you to lose control of your vehicle, or suddenly veer into oncoming traffic, causing a multi-vehicle accident.
  • Damage to the steering system. The force of the impact can cause the steering components to become misaligned, making it difficult to steer and maintain control of the vehicle.
  • Damage to the exhaust system. Deep potholes can cause the exhaust system to become damaged if it hits the ground upon impact. When the exhaust system is damaged, it can also damage the engine and put you and the other passengers in the vehicle at risk for carbon monoxide inhalation.

What Types of Injuries Do Potholes Cause?

In addition to the damage to your vehicle, potholes can cause injuries ranging from minor scrapes to serious head injuries. The following are examples of common injuries that are caused by pothole accident:

  • Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the force of impact causes your head to snap back and forth, which strains the tendons and muscles in the neck. If left untreated, it can cause chronic pain.
  • Head injuries: If the force of impact from hitting a pothole causes the head to hit the steering wheel, the windows, or the steel frame, it can cause serious injuries like a fractured skull or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  • Blowout injuries. There are a wide range of injuries that can occur if a pothole causes a tire blowout. Examples include cuts, scrapes, strains, broken bones, and organ damage. In extreme cases, they can cause tragic fatalities.

Who Is Liable for a Pothole Accident?

Government agencies are responsible for maintaining public roads and taking the necessary steps to warn motorists about potential hazards, including potholes and dips in the pavement. However, most government agencies are immune from car accident lawsuits through the principle of sovereign immunity. While these laws protect government agencies from being sued, they can still be held liable if you can prove negligence. In order to have a successful claim, you must be able to prove the following:

  • The government agency you are suing legally owned or controlled the road that had the pothole, which led to your accident.
  • The road in question had a hazardous pothole at the time of the accident. If you can provide photographic evidence, this will help prove negligence.
  • The condition of the road was the direct cause of the accident.
  • The road condition was so poor that the government agency should have anticipated that an accident could occur, yet they did not fix the problem.
  • The government agency’s failure to address the safety issue was a direct factor in the accident.

Savannah Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Victims of Pothole Accidents

If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by a pothole, contact the Savannah car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law. We will determine who is liable for your injuries, assist you with the claims process and pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a confidential consultation, call us today at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. From our offices located in Springfield, Georgia, we proudly serve all clients of Springfield, Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.

Can Under Inflated Tires Increase the Risk of a Car Accident?

The fluctuation in temperature that is characteristic of winter weather can affect your vehicle’s performance, particularly your tires. Maintaining the proper tire pressure is imperative for maintaining stability, control, and grip when driving in inclement weather. When the temperature drops, the air pressure in the tires drops significantly, which can increase the risk of a serious car accident. If you were injured in a car accident involving another motorist who was driving on under inflated tires, contact an experienced car accident lawyer at your earliest convenience.

How Does the Cold Weather Impact My Vehicle’s Tires?

The drop in temperature causes the tire’s air pressure to drop an average of one to two pounds per square inch of tire pressure for every ten degrees that the temperature decreases. It is highly recommended that you check your vehicle’s air pressure as soon as the weather changes and the temperatures drop to ensure that your tires are performing properly.

What Are the Dangers of Driving with Under Inflated Tires?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), close to one-third of all passenger vehicles, light trucks and SUVs on the road have at least one underinflated tire. The NHTSA also found that blown tires are responsible for an average of 11,000 car accidents each year, resulting in approximately 200 fatalities. If you do not maintain the optimal air pressure in your vehicle’s tires, there is an increased risk of the following consequences:

  • Tire blowouts: When a tire is under inflated, the friction between the tire and the road builds up and creates heat. While tires are built to withstand a certain amount of heat, the tire can explode if the heat reaches an unsafe degree. The driver is at risk for losing control of the vehicle, swerving into another lane, and cutting off or crashing into other drivers on the road.
  • Reduced traction: Under inflated tires are less effective at maintaining effective traction on wet, snowy or icy roads. Underinflation can have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the vehicle’s automatic traction control and anti-lock braking system.
  • Compromised safety and operation: Under inflated times generally do not perform as they should. In addition to tire blowouts, a softer tire sidewall can cause your car to sway on a curve or corner, which can increase the risk of a rollover, particularly in vehicles with a higher center of gravity. It is also more difficult to steer if the tires are under inflated.
  • Wear and tear: When the tires are under inflated, they are more likely to wear out or bald much more quickly. Bald tires have less traction and are more likely to slip on slide on snowy or icy roads.

How Is Fault Determined in a Weather-Related Car Accident?

If you were injured in a car accident during the winter months, there are a range of factors that will be considered when determining fault. For example, if the other driver failed to properly maintain his or her vehicle, including the tires, they may be held liable for the accident. Other unsafe driving behaviors that would cause the other driver to be considered at fault for an accident include speeding, tailgating, texting while driving, or weaving in and out of lanes. A skilled car accident lawyer will review the details of the case and recommend the best legal course of action.

Springfield Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Victims of Weather-Related Car Accidents

If you were injured in a car accident, and the other motorist’s tires were under inflated, contact our knowledgeable Springfield car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law. To schedule a confidential consultation, call us today at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. With our offices located in Springfield, Georgia, we proudly serve all clients of Springfield, Effingham County, Savannah, and surrounding areas.

What Are Common Truck Driver Distractions?

People who are used to driving oversized trucks might not be thinking about how dangerous those large vehicles are. These behemoths are much longer, wider, and heavier than passenger cars and trucks, and can do much more damage in accidents. Truck drivers are supposed to be 100 percent focused when behind the wheel, but like everyone else, sometimes their attention gets taken away.

Smartphone Use

According to the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), people who text and drive are 23 more times likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents. Most people realize that driving and cell phone use is a dangerous combination, but it is a habit for so many. The real problem comes when truckers text and drive because this uses the eyes, hands, and brain. Checking emails and social media is just as bad – and even worse – because there are also photos and videos to look at and listen to.  

Even if the trucker is talking to someone hands-free, it is still a distraction. While a pleasant conversation might be fine, an intense discussion or heated argument takes a lot of energy and requires additional focus. Passengers inside the truck can also compete for a truck driver’s attention.

Loose Items Inside the Truck

Reaching for a device and not being able to grab it leads to taking one’s eyes off the road. An obvious example is a Smartphone, but truck drivers might also reach for a charger cord or a piece of gum. Making adjustments to a GPS, radio, or fan can also cause a trucker to lose control of the vehicle. If something like a cup falls on the ground, a trucker might look down and then try to grab it.

Truck drivers keep in contact with their employers through dispatching devices, and also use these to plan for poor weather conditions, map out directions, and keep their logs. These should not be used while driving, as doing so significantly  increases the risk of a collision.

Daydreaming

Long hours on the road cause drivers to become bored and lose focus, and truck drivers are no exception. Since they spend so much time behind the wheel, fatigue often sets in and that makes it even harder to concentrate.

Eating and Drinking in the Driver’s Seat

Truck drivers have scheduled breaks to have meals and rest, but some still choose to eat and drink behind the wheel. When the pressure is on to make deliveries, some might even skip their breaks to save time and have their meals while driving. Messy foods are even more dangerous because a second hand is often needed. If the food or drink is hot, a spill could injure the trucker and lead to a serious accident.

The Savannah Truck Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Help Clients Who Were Impacted by Truck Accidents

At Kicklighter Law, our knowledgeable Savannah truck accident lawyers work with clients who have been in truck accidents and fight to get them the compensation they deserve. For a consultation, call our Springfield, Georgia offices at 912-754-6003 or complete our online form. Our service area includes Springfield, Effingham County, Savannah, and surrounding areas.

What Are Complications from Car Accident Burn Injuries?

American emergency rooms see more than 480,000 burn injuries annually, according to the American Burn Association. Approximately 96 percent of burn victims survive, but most recoveries are lengthy and painful and burns typically result in severe scarring or life-altering disabilities.

Burn injuries can lead to a variety of significant medical complications, depending on the severity, location, and type of burn. Certain parts of the body experience more severe medical complications than others, based on the level of burn sustained.

What Are the Levels of Burn Injuries?

Car fires are common in many accidents resulting in burns categorized up to four different degrees of injury:

  • First-degree burns: The least severe burn, first-degree injuries affect only the outer layer of skin and can be caused by severe rubbing against a surface, usually not involving fire.
  • Second-degree burns: Burns that affect the outermost layer of skin and the dermis, the second layer of skin tissue, often resulting from coming into contact with hot metal. Second-degree burns result in scarred tissue, blisters, swelling, red or white skin blotches, severe pain, and typically require skin grafting with healthy tissue.
  • Third-degree burns: Deep burns that penetrate the skin’s innermost layer and destroy the outermost and second layers of skin along with nerves and other tissues, hair follicles, and sweat glands are considered third-degree. This severe level of burn is extremely painful and almost always requires skin grafting or other reconstructive surgeries and leave significant scarring and disfigurement.
  • Fourth-degree burns: The most severe type of burn injury, fourth-degree burns destroy all layers of skin, nerve tissues, muscle, and frequently deep enough to damage bones. The majority of fourth-degree burns result in fatality, and those who survive face extreme pain, multiple surgeries, loss of limbs or other body part, disfigurement, disabilities, and face significantly higher risk of infection.

What Are Common Burn-Related Medical Complications?

Numerous medical complications can result from serious burn injuries, the majority of which require ongoing and extensive medical treatment for extended periods of time. Common complications include:

  • Scar tissues, disfigurement, deformities, and permanent disabilities.
  • Extensive respiratory system damage to the lungs and esophagus from fire and smoke or chemical inhalation, leading to difficulty breathing and lifelong oxygen use.
  • Extreme shock, leading to organ failure due to limited blood circulation to the heart, liver, lungs, or kidneys, and death in many cases.
  • Repeated infections, particularly sepsis, which can result in tissue or organ damage with possible death.
  • Death or surgical amputation resulting from infection.
  • Eye damage, such as scarring, blurred vision, infections, and blindness due to burns to the cornea.
  • Immune system damage causing extreme hypothermia or fever.
  • Chronic and widespread pain.
  • Severe inflammation.

Overcoming burns and resulting medical complications is challenging, and as burns can continue to cause damage long after contact, are also frequently life-threatening for an extended period of time. Burn treatments are lengthy and can be expensive, particularly for those experiencing high degree of burns and severe medical complications.

Am I Eligible for Compensation for My Burn Injuries?

Those sustaining burns due to a car accident may be eligible for economic and non-economic compensation if the other driver caused the accident. Economic compensation covers the easily measured monetary losses caused by the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, car repairs or loss, and towing fees. 

Non-economic compensation refers to accident-related damages that cannot be measured as a financial loss, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, emotional distress, loss of employment ability, family death benefits, and onset of mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Those suffering the most severe burn injuries and resulting medical complications are usually eligible to receive non-economic damages.

The Springfield Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Clients Suffering Accident-Related Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are traumatic, painful, and often require extensive and ongoing medical care, and severely limit a person’s ability to work. If you or a loved one were in a car accident, reach out to the experienced Springfield car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law. Call us at 912-461-6309 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. From our office in Springfield, Georgia, we proudly serve residents in Springfield, Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.

Holiday Driving Safety Tips

The week from Christmas to New Year’s also comes with heavily congested roads and plenty of traffic accidents. Some estimates show that there will be close to 107 million drivers out on the roads from December 23 to January 1. Add to that the chances of poor weather conditions and nighttime driving and you have all the ingredients needed for serious crashes. How can you make holiday driving safer this season?

How Can I Prepare for Holiday Driving?

You might be too busy to take your car in for a tune-up this time of year, so at the very least check the tank to see if you have enough gas and check your tire pressure. Replace broken lights and cracked mirrors. Many accidents happen when drivers are rushing, and everyone feels like they do not have enough time during the holidays. Leave at least 10 minutes early to account for traffic and listen to the weather and traffic reports. If you do not have an ice scraper, first-aid supplies, and emergency kit in your car, now is the time to throw them in the trunk.

Driver distractions are the main cause of auto accidents and putting your cell phone on do not disturb is one of the best ways to eliminate the problem. Try not to eat or drink while your car is moving. Avoid grooming, adjusting your GPS, and anything else that will take your focus away from the road.

Remember that fatigued driving symptoms mirror intoxicated driving symptoms (slow reaction times, falling asleep, poor decision-making), so do not drive while fatigued or intoxicated during the holidays and the rest of the year.

Tips for Driving Safely This Time of Year

You cannot control what other drivers do, but you can maintain your focus and practice defensive driving during the holiday season. When you encounter other drivers who are not paying attention or acting aggressively, increase your distance and keep your temper in check. This can be very frustrating, but returning the bad behavior can escalate a situation unnecessarily. If you want to report a hazardous driver, have a passenger do it or wait until you can pull over somewhere safe to do it yourself.

Follow all of the posted speed limits and other traffic signs and signals. Do not tailgate. You will probably be seeing more tractor-trailers this time of year, and their large blind spots make it difficult for their drivers to see other vehicles. Give them a wide berth all the way around, as they also have longer stopping distances and must make wider turns.

The Springfield Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Wish Everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

No one wants to spend the best time of year in the emergency room, but motor vehicle crashes are an unfortunate part of every holiday season. For a consultation on any type of automobile accident, contact the knowledgeable Springfield car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law. We are located in Springfield, Georgia, and help clients throughout Springfield, Effingham County, Savannah, and surrounding areas. Complete our online form or call us at 912-754-6003 today for a confidential consultation.

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Springfield, GA 31329

Telephone: 912-754-6003
Fax: 912-754-6336

Email: [email protected]

Providing Superior Representation All Across Georgia.