Maison Law stands with car accident victims across California, helping them navigate both the legal and the recovery process. There’s any number of different outcomes in a car accident, but the main hope is that you’re able to survive. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
Car Accidents and Human Evolution
Unfortunately, despite advances in safety and technology, injuries and even death can happen in a car accident. But in order to understand the implications of these accidents, it’s important to look at how your body is built. The human body has evolved over time to meet all different sorts of challenges, and while cars are a relatively new entity in this context, it can still help to understand how the human body reacts to the impact and trauma of a car accident:
- Cognitive function – Car accidents are usually caused by behavior and choices, rather than an evolutionary instinct. Still, with the extremely rapid development of technology in the auto industry, it could be argued that we have struggled to adapt. Moreover, this struggle is compounded by things like texting and driving and other issues that frequently cause accidents.
- Physical response – Our bodies have developed ways to protect us during events like car accidents. For instance, the “fight or flight” response, rooted in our evolution, can make us more alert and release adrenaline when we face sudden danger, affecting our reactions in events like car accidents. Also, our bones and muscles, shaped over time through evolution, offer some protection to important organs.
- Technological development – Human evolution doesn’t come into play in car accidents just by the physical and cognitive response. It also has led to the numerous safety and technological developments that have made driving safer. You can look at things like seatbelts, airbags, safety sensors, cameras, and other now-standard technologies that are available in a car and it solidifies this development for making you and others safer while driving.
- Survival – While our bodies have evolved over time, surviving a car accident depends a lot on the safety measures we take. Things like wearing seat belts, having working airbags, and driving responsibly play a big role in making sure we stay safe and minimize injuries if there’s a car crash. It’s like using the tools we have today to protect ourselves on the road.
Obviously, the way that things have developed have made the concept of a car accident much safer. However, what’s important to understand is that every car accident is unique, and moreover, the way your body responds to the accident depends on the circumstances.
Circumstances of a Typical Car Accident
Again, surviving a car accident is unfortunately dependent on a lot of different factors, like:
- The positioning and impact of the accident
- The vehicles involved
- Whether or not you’re wearing a seatbelt
- The type of accident
- Where the accident happens
- The injuries that result
All of these are going to play into your chances of survival. However, your individual circumstances also play a huge role in the outcome of your car accident. Here’s how:
- How you drive – Your driving habits and speed play a role. Responsible driving and following speed limits can help prevent accidents or at least reduce their severity.
- How you take care of your car – Regular maintenance usually means that your car functions properly. Malfunctions, especially in critical components like brakes, can contribute to accidents.
- How you react – How you react during the accident can also impact the outcome. Staying calm and making controlled movements can minimize harm.
- Your overall health – Your overall health and physical condition can affect how well your body copes with the impact. Pre-existing health issues may increase your vulnerability.
- Emergency response – Quick and effective emergency response, including medical assistance, can make a significant difference in how you’re able to recover.
Do You Need Legal Help?
Remember, while individual circumstances matter, taking precautions and following safety rules can greatly impact the outcome of your car accident. Another key factor is the help our team can give you. It’s not required that you have a lawyer represent you, but it can certainly help. Here’s how we approach a typical car accident:
- We do our best to thoroughly investigate the accident and how it happened.
- After our investigation, we’ll start gathering evidence and figuring out who’s at fault.
- We guide you on the next steps legally, including filing an insurance claim or lawsuit.
- Once a claim is filed, we stand up for your rights and present your case to the insurance company or jury.
- We keep a tally of your losses and other damages, like your medical expenses, pain, suffering, emotional distress, and lost income to make sure you’re able to get what you’re owed.
Every car accident is unique, and so too is the claims process. However, while there’s evolutionary traits that help you in a car accident, what’s important to remember is that your legal rights also play a big role in your recovery.
Let Maison Law Help You After a Car Accident
Regardless of the circumstances of your car accident, Maison Law can help you. Whether you have to deal with injuries, liability issues, insurance companies, or if you’ve lost a loved one, our team of California car accident lawyers will be there for you. We’ll explain the process and what you need to do to recover. Contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
