One of the most common things you hear about car accidents is that you should try to relax and not tense up if you see a collision coming. While it’s a commonly held belief that relaxing and not tensing up prior to an accident can help you prevent injury, careful studies and observation have gone into trying to prove this definitively.
The reasoning behind this belief is that tensing your muscles can help to brace your body for the impact of the collision and may help to reduce the severity of injuries that you might sustain. However, the reality is that every car accident is different, and the best course of action will depend on the specific circumstances. More than that, you don’t always have the opportunity to prepare yourself before a car accident happens.
No matter how they happen, a car accident is an extremely unfortunate event that often causes injuries. Whether you’re driving or simply a passenger, these injuries can have life-altering effects on you as you try to recover. Part of the recovery process may involve holding the at-fault driver accountable if they caused an accident because of negligent driving.
Experienced California Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
At Maison Law, our team of experienced and dedicated California car accident lawyers are ready to help you. Suffering injuries in a car accident may be unavoidable, but you still have to deal with the fallout. Part of this includes medical treatment and bills that can quickly become overwhelming. Don’t let that happen to you. Contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation.
What Should I Do If I Can’t Avoid a Car Accident?
The subject of what to do in a car accident is, unfortunately, difficult to pin down. Should you try to relax? Tense up and brace for the impact? The answer to these questions involves both the circumstances of a crash–you won’t be able to react if you can’t see the collision coming–and how your body responds to the collision itself.
Generally speaking, there are some common tips should you decide you want to brace for impact:
- Press your head back against the headrest of your vehicle to protect it and your neck.
- Never lean forward or turn your head during impact.
- Tense up your entire body during the seconds before the crash occurs.
- Press your foot firmly on the brake pedal while pushing your spine against your seat.
The ultimate goal of either approach is to reduce the severity of injuries that may result from the collision. However, part of this is out of your control. If the accident involves a high-speed collision from the rear of your car, you may not be able to brace yourself for impact. This, in turn, may lead to more serious injuries.
No matter what type of injuries you sustain in a car accident, it’s important to understand that you have the legal right to pursue financial support and benefits from the at-fault driver.
Common Injuries in California Car Accidents
While every car accident has its own unique circumstances and outcomes, the general idea of either relaxing or tensing up prior to impact is to protect your head, neck, and back. These parts of your body are usually the most susceptible to injury in a car accident with a collision, with the most common injury being whiplash. Whiplash occurs when your head, neck, and back are suddenly jerked forward and back from the impact of the collision. This leads to the following symptoms:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Pain during movement
- Loss of neck motion
- Headaches
- Pain in upper back, shoulders, and arms
- Numbness or tingling in arms
- Dizziness or fatigue
Another factor of neck injuries is that many of the same symptoms that come from whiplash are also present in other neck injuries. Thus, it’s possible to suffer both whiplash and other common neck injuries from a car accident. These include:
- Neck sprains or strains
- Slipped or herniated disks
- Pinched nerves
- Cervical Spondylolisthesis
- Neck fractures
Obviously, head, neck, and back injuries are very serious. Because of their proximity to your spine and nervous system, they can have far-reaching medical effects for you moving forward. That’s why it’s extremely important to get medical help immediately after a car accident.
What to Do After a Car Accident in California
The moments immediately following a car accident are extremely important, even if you think your injuries are minor or you feel fine. The extent of whiplash or head and neck injuries may not be immediately apparent, so it is important to visit a doctor so that they can assess your condition.
Delaying medical treatment can also affect your ability to make a claim for your injuries and damages. It is important to document your injuries and the care you received for them in order to support your claim.
Experience and Dedication At Your Service From Maison Law
Focusing on your health and recovery during the difficult time post-car accident should be your number one priority. Our team of experienced and dedicated California car accident lawyers at Maison Law will gladly handle the day-to-day responsibilities of any claim you may have.
We have a proven track record of successfully recovering support and benefits available for our clients that have suffered injuries in a car accident, and believe that every client deserves a specific approach to their claim.
To set up a free initial consultation with our office, contact us here.
