9 Steps to Take After Being Involved in a Car Accident
Being in a car accident is one of the worst things you can experience. Car accidents are always unexpected and frequently leave victims with injuries, damaged cars, and emotional trauma. The shock of being in an accident can also leave you feeling frantic and unsure of what to do. Today’s blog is all about providing you with a step-by-step guide to handling the aftermath of a car crash. Memorizing or writing down these steps will help you appropriately respond to a car accident. Step 1: Pull Over You should get your car out of the way of traffic as quickly as possible. You might already be in a good place, depending on where the accident occurs. It should be a safe, public area with good lighting where you can exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. If you can’t drive your car, try pushing it to a safe place. The sidewalk is better than leaving it in the middle of the road. But if even that is impossible, at least get yourself to safety. Step 2: Remember Everyone Else It’s easy to get lost in your own world when you’ve suffered a traumatic experience. But it’s essential to take care of your kids, elders, and any disabled passengers. Make sure they get to safety with you. If it’s a beautiful day outside, you can roll down the windows and leave everyone in the car if it’s safe to do so. For example, if your vehicle is on fire, it’s not safe for anyone to be in the car. If you need to get a young child out of the car quickly, lift out their car seat (with them in it). They could be injured, so keeping them stable in their car seat is important. If a paralyzed individual is with you, get their mobility device to them as quickly as possible and help them if they need it. Step 3: Call 9-1-1 Once you and your passengers are safe, you should call 9-1-1. It might seem over the top if the car accident is a fender bender, but you should still call the police. When you’re on the phone with the 9-1-1 operator, you’ll need to provide basic information, including who you are and where you are. Look for nearby street signs, house markers, highway exit signs, and mile markings to determine where you are. The police will respond to your call by coming to the accident scene and examining it. Law enforcement will assign fault (to either or both parties) and fill out an accident report. An ambulance will accompany the officers for anyone who might be injured. The ambulance typically comes whether or not you request one. Some injuries are apparent, but others aren’t. Emergency first responders will detect injuries, stabilize you, and safely transport you to the hospital if your injuries are severe enough. If the police can’t come to the accident scene for some reason, we highly recommend going to the nearest police station and filing a report. That report will help you with the claims process and protect you if the other driver sues you. Step 4: Don’t Admit Fault or Make Deals After calling the police, you’ll want to exchange information with the other driver. You should be fine doing this without the police, provided that the other driver isn’t angry with you. Be sure to get the other driver’s license number and car insurance information. You’ll also want to note their vehicle’s color, make, and model. Don’t accept any deals from the other driver–including cash offers. They might have compelling reasons, like telling you they’re underinsured or uninsured. But no matter what they say, you should insist on getting their insurance and ID information. You shouldn’t admit fault, either, even if you are to blame. Let your insurance company hash it out with the other driver’s insurance. Step 5: Take Lots of Photos Once you’ve exchanged information, you’ll want to collect all the proof. That means taking photos of the accident scene from every angle and position. You’ll want the images to show the accident from your perspective and theirs. Step 6: Seek Medical Attention You’re allowed to leave the accident scene once the drivers finish exchanging information and the police have filled out their report and dismissed you. The first stop you should make is your local urgent care. Tell them you’ve been in a car accident and ask for a physical examination. This quick stop at the doctor’s office will create a trail of evidence if you’ve sustained injuries. Receiving immediate medical care blocks the other driver’s insurance company from saying that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. This step is essential, even if first responders examined you at the accident scene. Of course, this step is unnecessary if you’re injured enough to be in the hospital. Step 7: File an Auto Insurance Claim If necessary, you’ll want to file an auto insurance claim. This could be with your insurance company or the other driver’s. While your medical care comes first, this should be your second priority. If you want to settle with the other driver, the insurance companies need to be involved. Filing an auto insurance claim involves providing the insurance company with the accident details. You can call the insurance company or file a claim through their website or mobile app. Step 8: Repairs and Recovery The insurance companies will assign fault, and you’ll get your vehicle repaired or replaced if the accident is too severe. If you live in a no-fault state, your insurance’s personal injury protection will cover you based on what coverage you selected when you signed up. If you live in an at-fault state, and the accident was the other driver’s fault, their insurance company will cover your repairs. If the accident were partially your fault, you would have to pay for some of your repairs. If it were entirely your fault, you’d be in charge of all of your
You Need To Know These Important Seat Belt Laws
Seat belt laws might seem inconvenient, but they exist to keep you and your family safe and secure while traveling the roads. When correctly used, safety restraints save over 90 percent of lives. Each state has its own set of seat belt safety laws, but all are designed to promote safe vehicle travel for everyone. Here’s a look at the laws surrounding seat belt safety, how they are enforced, and what it means for you. Primary vs. Secondary Enforcement To understand how the laws surrounding seat belts are enforced across the United States, it’s essential to understand the concept of primary vs. secondary enforcement. States with primary laws regarding seat belt enforcement allow a police officer to pull over and issue a ticket to a driver primarily for not wearing a seat belt. No other traffic violation needs to have taken place in order for a driver to be pulled over and get a ticket for not being buckled up. States with secondary laws are different. In these states, a police officer may only ticket a driver for not wearing a seatbelt if they’ve been pulled over for a separate traffic offense. For example, if an officer pulled over a driver for speeding or reckless driving, they could then issue a ticket for not wearing a seat belt. Otherwise, they couldn’t pull over and ticket the driver, even if the officer observed them being unbuckled. Driving without a seatbelt is considered a misdemeanor in 49 states, with New Hampshire being the exception. Of those 49 states, 34 have primary seat belt laws for occupants in the front seats. The other 15 states have their laws for seat belts as secondary enforcement. Rear seat occupants are also legally required to wear a seatbelt. Twenty-five states and Washington D.C. include rear occupants in their primary enforcement laws, and in 11 other states, they are secondary enforcement. Federal Seat Belt Laws Federal laws in the United States require that all vehicles have a three-point restraint system, except buses. That’s about as far as federal requirements go. The individual states determine more specific laws regarding seat belts, even including car seat laws. You can find a comprehensive list of car seat laws by state here. Utah Seat Belt Laws Utah enforces primary belt laws for all occupants in a vehicle. Additionally, all children age eight and under must be properly restrained in a booster seat or car seat. The fine for a driver or passenger failing to buckle up is $45. This law includes travelers in RVs and taxis. Seat Belts Save Lives The National Highways Traffic Safety Administration found that seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives among vehicle passengers age five and older in 2017. It’s estimated that an additional 2,549 people could have had their lives saved if they’d been wearing their seat belts when a fatal accident occurred. While many lives were saved from buckling up, nearly half of all individuals killed in car accidents were riding without a seat belt on. Failing to wear a seat belt can have serious consequences. It could mean the difference between life and death in a crash. Wearing your seat belt could keep you from being ejected from the vehicle, and it may also stop the force of an airbag from seriously injuring or even killing you. The facts about wearing a seat belt speak for themselves: Wearing your seat belt in the front seat of a passenger car can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 45% Buckling up in a car reduces the risk of moderate to severe injury by 50% Choosing to put on your seat belt in a light truck can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60% Wearing a seat belt in a truck reduces the risk of moderate to critical injury by 65% There’s no better way to say it. Making the easy choice to put on your seatbelt every time you get in a car can be life-saving. How to Properly Buckle Up The following tips will help you wear your seatbelt correctly to keep you safe in your vehicle: Ensure the lap and shoulder belts are secured across your pelvis, rib cage, and shoulder. These parts of your body are much better able to withstand the force of a car crash without causing severe damage to your body. Don’t allow the shoulder belt to run along your neck. Instead, place it across the middle of your chest. Move the lap belt from your stomach to rest on your hips. Avoid moving the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back. It can’t keep you safe if it’s not placed correctly. The fit of the seat belt matters. Before buying a new car or driving a rental, check to ensure the belt fits properly. If it doesn’t fit right, a belt extender or belt adjuster can be helpful. Pregnancy can make wearing a seat belt more uncomfortable, but buckling up is still essential to your safety and that of your unborn baby. The seat belt should still fit the same way during pregnancy, with the lap belt sitting below your belly and across your hips and the shoulder belt placed across the center of your chest above your stomach. Avoid letting your baby bump touch the steering wheel and leave as much room as possible between your bump and the wheel. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Is Here For You No one is immune from accidents, even when you’re following all of the seat belt laws. If you or a loved one are involved in a motor vehicle accident, Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help. Our personal injury lawyers are ready and available to assist you in the aftermath of an accident. Don’t try to navigate the legal process on your own. The trusted lawyers at our firm will help advocate for you every step of the way. We have offices in Orem, Provo, Saratoga Springs, and West Jordan, Utah. Contact us
Do I Need to Call My Insurance Company if the Car Accident Wasn’t My Fault?
Getting into a car accident is a horrible, often traumatic, experience. You don’t plan for it, but there’s a lot to do once it’s happened. You’ll need to call the police and request a copy of the report they fill out. You’ll exchange driver’s license and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the crash. You’ll need to seek medical attention to assess whether you have injuries. It’s a lot to handle right after a traumatic experience. But after all that is over, there’s still more to do. What you need to do depends on whose fault it was. Of course, if you caused the accident, you’ll need to report it to your insurance company. But what if you’re the victim? What if you didn’t cause the accident? Do you still need to report the car accident to your insurance company? That’s the question we’re answering in today’s blog. The truth is, the answer is complicated. The rules for your state determine what actions you’ll take regardless of whether the accident was your fault. States are divided into at-fault and no-fault states. There are specific rules for each type of fault. Let’s look at the differences between at-fault and no-fault states and how these states work. At-Fault States Living in an at-fault state makes the at-fault driver responsible for the other person’s vehicle repairs and injuries. But it isn’t always black and white. Sometimes, both drivers are partially responsible for the accident. Both drivers’ insurance companies will work together to determine who is at fault. Who Is At Fault? Often, percentages determine the fault. For example, say you were a little at fault, but the other driver was more at fault than you. The insurance company might assign 70/30 responsibility, meaning that you were 30% responsible for the accident. In this case, you’ll pay for 30% of the other driver’s repairs and injuries. Their 70% responsibility means they’ll cover 70% of your repairs and injuries. Your insurance companies will cover those fees. Of course, the more money they spend covering your accident, the more they’ll charge you to continue covering you. Switching insurance companies won’t resolve the problem, either. Usually, a new insurance company will charge you even more because they see you as a liability. Having insurance is necessary to drive a car, but it’s not fun when you get into an accident. If You Weren’t At Fault If you weren’t at fault for the accident, you don’t need to call your insurance company. For example, say you were making a left-hand turn and had a protected green arrow. But then the other driver T-boned you in the middle of the intersection as they ran through their red light. You were clearly not at fault for that accident. Do I Call My Insurance? Remember, whether you need to call your insurance company in an at-fault state is entirely dependent on whether you were at fault in the accident. The other driver will often contact your insurance company to report the accident if they think you were responsible. The less responsibility they have, the less they pay. Your insurance company will then investigate the accident and determine whether you had any fault. If you didn’t, your insurance premium wouldn’t go up. No-Fault States No-fault car accident states work very differently. It doesn’t matter who was at fault. If you’re in an accident, you’ll file a claim with your insurance company, and they’ll pay for the cost of your repair and any injuries you may have, to an extent. Your policy will determine how much your insurance company will pay. Car insurance companies in no-fault states protect themselves by requiring certain coverage levels for everyone they insure. The bad news is that the repairs or injuries that exceed your coverage will come out of your pocket unless you qualify for a type of comparative negligence. Comparative Negligence There are different kinds of comparative negligence. Which one applies to you depends on the state in which you live. Pure Comparative Negligence Pure comparative negligence means that you are entitled to compensation, even if it’s only a tiny percentage. If you were responsible for 90% of the accident, you’re entitled to 10% of your repair costs covered by the other driver’s insurance company. Modified Comparative Negligence This kind of comparative negligence isn’t as broad. If you were responsible for the accident above a certain percentage, you aren’t eligible for any compensation. That percentage depends on your state’s laws. Slight/Gross Negligence Instead of working with percentages, this law uses “slight” negligence and “gross” negligence to determine if you receive compensation for the accident. If you were only slightly at fault, you’d be compensated. But if you were grossly negligent, you won’t receive anything. Again, your state law will determine what constitutes slight vs. gross negligence. Are you unsure of whether your state is at-fault or no-fault? We recommend calling your insurance company or looking at your policy in close detail. Not only does each state have its own laws, but they change over time, and insurance companies adjust their policies accordingly. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Were you in a car accident? The attorneys at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton have worked hard for over 25 years to help individuals just like you. We understand the trauma and pain that often come with car accidents. Let us take the burden off you by helping you resolve your car accident claims. If you were injured in an accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. We’ll fight for you to get you everything you deserve. If you’ve been in a car accident and don’t know what to do, call Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton. We serve the greater Salt Lake and Provo county areas. We provide free case evaluations and would be happy to work with you. Contact us today!
Truck Accident Claims Process: What You Need to Know
We all know how to file a claim after a car crash, but what about the truck accident claims process? Does being involved in a collision with a semi-truck change how that process works? And if so, how? Today’s blog discusses how the accident claims process works for big rigs accidents. Navigating the claims process is a very stressful experience, so let us guide you through it. At the Scene of the Accident Call the Police The truck accident claims process technically begins at the scene of the accident since that is where you’ll gather most of the evidence you’ll use in the claims process. The first thing you’ll want to do is call 911 to report the accident. Police will come to the scene and fill out a report. You’ll want to get a copy of that report. It will help you with the insurance claims process. Assess Your Injuries Ambulances usually accompany police to the accident scene. Even if the accident seems minor, a driver or passenger could be injured. Emergency first responders will provide an on-site physical examination to detect any injuries. Anyone who’s injured will be transported to the hospital for further care. Document Everything It’s critical to document everything. To begin, you’ll want a photo of the other driver’s ID and auto insurance cards, as well as pictures of the accident scene. Take pictures from every angle you can so that you have plenty of evidence showing how the accident happened. Take photos from your angle as well as the other driver’s angle. Get up-close and far-away shots of the accident and, most importantly, the damage. We recommend taking as many photos as you can since it’s better to have more than you need vs. not having enough. You’ll also want to take some notes. You’ll want to make sure that your photos or notes document the following: The other driver’s car, including the year, make, model, color, and license plate number The exact location of the accident; take note of cross streets and nearby landmarks Names and phone numbers of all witnesses involved When the police arrived, along with each officer’s name and badge number The names and ages of all drivers involved The exact date and time of the accident How fast each driver was going What the weather conditions were like Road conditions After the Accident Create a Chain of Evidence for Your Injuries The truck accident claims process involves your injuries, too. If you are injured, having documentation of your injury at the accident scene will help prevent the other driver’s insurance company from claiming that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. If you are injured but not enough to go to the hospital, go to your primary care provider or local urgent care. This will create a chain of evidence linking your injuries to the accident. Handling Insurance Whose insurance company you call depends on where you live and who was at fault in the accident. In Utah, accidents are “no-fault,” meaning that you report the accident to your insurance company regardless of who hits who. They will pay for a portion of your car repairs and medical bills. Your policy determines the amount they pay. Utah also has a “comparative negligence” law that works in tandem with its no-fault status. This means that both drivers can be at fault to different extents. If you are less than 50% responsible for an accident in Utah, you can collect compensation for the accident. If you live in an “at-fault” state, the driver who caused the accident is responsible. Sometimes, blame is 100% one driver’s fault, but it can be 50/50 or unequal. For example, it could be 60/40 or 80/20. In an at-fault state, this means that both parties are partially responsible. The more fault you have, the more your insurance company will pay the other driver. If you’re 80% responsible for the crash, then your insurance company will pay for 80% of the other driver’s costs. But, in an at-fault state, you can collect 20% of damages from the other party if you’re only 80% responsible. Being partially or wholly responsible for an accident in an at-fault state is not good since it will cause the cost of your insurance to go up. The Severity of the Accident What sets truck accidents apart from car accidents is how much worse they can be. The sheer size of a truck makes it much more challenging to drive, so driver error is often considered. But regardless of driver error, a big rig smashing into a car can cause far more devastation than two cars colliding with each other. Suing the Truck Driver and Trucking Company When you’re in an accident with a truck driver, you can sue them through their insurance company. Not only that, but, likely, you can also sue the truck company they drive for. That’s what sets the truck accident claims process apart from car accidents. Trucking companies are responsible for training their drivers. This includes ensuring they have proper credentials, certifications, and licenses to operate a truck. They must also follow federal, state, and company guidelines for driving their vehicle. If they fail to do any of this, the company they work for can be held liable for insufficient training. The only caveat to this is if the truck driver is an independent contractor instead of an employee. Trucking companies are liable for their employees, but their liability for independent contractors is more limited if they have any liability at all. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Now you know what information to collect at the accident scene, the importance of getting medical help, and how insurance works. It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? That’s why we highly recommend hiring an attorney to help you handle the aftermath of crashing with a truck. This is especially true if you want to sue the truck driver. While many claims are settled between insurance companies, suing is different.
How Common are Slip and Fall Accidents?
Did you know that slip and fall accidents are the second-leading cause of injury-related deaths? Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of many hospital emergency room visits, accounting for over 21% of visits. But why are they so common? What makes people slip and fall that easily? The truth is, it’s not very hard to slip and fall–it’s part of being human. Sometimes you just lose your balance and trip over your own two feet. But sometimes, it’s not your fault. Sometimes you slip and fall because of someone else’s negligence. In today’s blog, we’re discussing the different causes of falls and how we can prevent them. How Common Are Slip and Fall Accidents? Most slip and fall accidents are severe enough to require medical treatment and cause the individual to take time off of work. Some falls occur at work and are the leading cause of lost workdays. If you’re lucky, you’ll be uninjured and go about your day. But if you’re not so fortunate, you could end up with a nasty sprain or fracture. Fractures happen to about 5% of all fall victims and are the leading cause of health problems and death from slip and fall accidents. For individuals over 65, approximately 87% of all fractures result from falling. Simply put, slip and fall accidents happen constantly, frequently require medical care, and often result in serious injuries. To examine how common slip and fall accidents are, we need to examine where they happen. This blog is split into four sections: workplace, home, nursing homes, and public places. These are the most common locations for slip and fall accidents. Slip and Fall Accidents in the Workplace Did you know that nearly 40,000 people have died from slipping and falling in a single year? The workplace is a common place for these falls to happen. In recent years, 880 workers have died from falls, and 244,000 suffered bad enough injuries to need time off to recover. Every profession comes with a risk of slipping and falling, but construction workers are most at risk because they frequently work from high heights. Having said that, you don’t need to fall from a high place to suffer a fatal injury. Even though falls are prevalent, they are 100% preventable. Proper training and communication can help employees avoid slip and fall hazards. Some simple tips include: Check for hazards when you walk into a room. Get formal training on equipment before you use it. Set up equipment on level ground. Don’t stand on a ladder on uneven ground, even if it’s just for something quick. Avoid working in inclement weather. Don’t use tools that weren’t designed for the job you’re doing. When using a ladder, make sure it’s locked in place. Never just stand on a ladder. Make sure you have one hand on the ladder at all times. Wear proper shoes. Don’t step on a ladder in heels or open-backed shoes. Try to wear slip-resistant shoes. Slip and Fall Accidents at Home It’s entirely possible to slip and fall on a ladder while you’re doing home improvement projects. Projects like installing siding, gutters, or roofs frequently cause these accidents, which is why it’s best to hire a professional for those types of projects. But ladders aren’t the only cause for slip and fall accidents in the home. Stepping out of the bathtub is another common cause. It’s easy for water from the tub to slosh over the edge. It’s not unheard of to slip while doing yard work, either. If you have tall enough grass, it can be challenging to spot uneven ground. Simply put, slip and fall accidents can happen as easily at home as at work. Slip and Fall Accidents in Nursing Homes It’s very common for nursing home residents to slip and fall. Because age comes with brittle bones and conditions like osteoporosis, residents have to get up and sit down very carefully. They often walk slowly, sometimes with canes or walkers. Some nursing home residents have gait disorders or shuffle their feet instead of taking steps. Depending on their health, a nursing home resident might need help getting around. But nursing homes frequently face the problem of not having enough staff to cover all their residents. Because of this, many residents are left unattended and must fend for themselves. This is the cause of many slip and fall accidents. Slip and Fall Accidents in Public Places Slip and fall accidents in public places happen all the time. Whether you’re grocery shopping, trying on clothes, or shopping for electronics, you run the risk of slipping and falling. But why do slip and fall accidents happen in public places? The following are the most common causes: Wet floors Torn carpets Dimly-lit areas Escalators not working properly There are usually cautionary signs that warn customers when a floor is wet, but sometimes signs are removed prematurely, aren’t seen, or are ignored. Additionally, if it’s hard to see in a dimly-lit area, you might miss a hazard that you’d generally spot. These slip and fall accidents can cause head and body injuries, depending on what part of your body takes the brunt of the fall. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton As you can see, slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. It doesn’t take much to get severely injured. But not all slip and fall accidents are your fault. Some of these falls are due to other people being negligent. Take a nursing home, for example. If your loved one fell on their own when they were supposed to have assistance, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and their pain and suffering. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help you. We’ve represented slip and fall injury victims for over 25 years, and we’re here to guide you through the process, too. We serve clients throughout Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
Why Cell Phones Increase the Risk of Severe Auto Accidents
While drunk driving and speeding are two significant dangers, we’ve noticed more severe auto accidents related to cell phone use while on the road. With technology at the edge of our fingertips, it’s easy to get distracted while driving. And while sending a quick text or changing the song on your phone might seem harmless, phones are posing a great danger to those on the road. Let’s explore these dangers and note some critical Utah statutes pertinent to these matters. The Dangers of Cell Phone Use Behind the Wheel If you’re using a cellphone while you are driving, you can put your life, your passengers’ lives, and the lives of others on the road at risk. While distracted, you may get into severe auto accidents or strike pedestrians and bicyclists due to a lack of attention to changes in the street. Two common issues lead to car accident injury: Talking on the Phone While Driving – If you are talking on your phone while driving and not using a hands-free kit in your car, you are likely to become distracted while engaged in conversation. What’s more, holding your phone in place means that both of your hands are not on the wheel, which can be extremely dangerous. Texting While Driving – Texting while driving means diverting your eyes from the road and having at least one hand off of the wheel. As you can imagine, the dangers of texting while driving are much more significant than just talking on the phone while driving. Why Distracted Driving Is So Deadly When you text while driving, your eyes are off the road for seconds to read the screen. A few seconds of distraction is all it takes for an accident to occur. It might sound crazy, but if you text while driving on the freeway at the standard speed limit, you will cover the entire length of the football field while looking at your phone rather than the road. A lot can happen in that distance. According to recent statistics, an average of 5,187 severe auto accidents in the state of Utah involved driver distraction of some form. One of the most common ways someone is distracted behind the wheel of a car is their phone. Cell Phone and Driving Laws in Utah The state of Utah has specific laws regarding cell phone use while you are behind the wheel. Talking on the Phone While Driving – In Utah, it is legal to talk on the phone while driving as long as you are using a hands-free system. Restrictions on Texting While Driving – Texting, browsing the internet, and other comparable activities that involve using your phone in hand are strictly prohibited. Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Attentive It’s always better to be safe than sorry. When driving, be sure to have both hands on the wheel. Never text while on the road. If you need to get directions or check a message, be sure to pull off the road into a safe location, such as a parking lot or curb, park your car, and then attend to your business as needed. If possible, leave your phone in an area of your car where you cannot quickly grab it. For instance, many people find it beneficial to go their phone in a purse or backpack that is then left in the backseat of their car until they reach their destination. Another idea is to set your phone to “do not disturb” until you reach your destination. By doing this, you won’t receive alerts on your phone, which may tempt you to use it. Parents should enforce these rules with their children as they learn to drive. Common sense safety can save the lives of hundreds or even thousands of drivers each year. Speak with Our Auto Accident Attorneys Severe auto accidents can have consequences that last a lifetime. That’s why the lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton fight so hard for injury victims throughout Provo and the state of Utah. Serious Auto accidents can lead to disability and death, and negligent parties who caused these tragedies need to be held accountable. We have Provo, Orem, Saratoga Springs, and West Jordan offices. Contact us today for a free evaluation if you have been involved in a car accident or other serious personal injury case.
6 Steps To Take After You’ve Suffered A Burn Injury
If you’ve burned yourself, here are some steps to take to heal from your burn injury. Properly caring for the wounded area will help it heal more quickly and minimize scarring. No one wants a scar if they can avoid it! How Severe Is Your Burn? The severity of your burn will determine how it needs to be treated. You can treat most minor burns on your own at home. But it’s a good idea to go to the doctor if your burn is severe or covers more than 10% of your body, as this could require more extensive treatment than you can do at home. Some burn injuries are so severe that you need treatment at a burn center. These burns cover large areas of skin and sometimes require skin grafts. It’s not unheard of to need a feeding tube, breathing assistance, or plastic surgery for severe burns. Treating Minor Burns If your burn injury is minor, you can most likely treat it at home. Here’s what you’ll need to do. Cool the burn. Don’t use cold water or ice cubes. Your tissue will be very sensitive from the burn, and anything cold could further damage it. Instead, use cool water. This will help ease the pain without hurting your tissue. 2. Take off your jewelry. If your burn is bad enough to swell, take off any jewelry you’re wearing. Otherwise, it might get stuck and need to be cut off. You’ll want to remove your jewelry immediately before swelling has a chance to kick in. 3. Leave blisters alone. You might be tempted to break a blister open, but you shouldn’t. The fluid in the blisters helps protect you from infection. Having said that, if a blister breaks, it’s essential to clean it with water and put ointment on it. 4. Use lotion liberally. You’ll want to keep your skin as moisturized as possible. A lotion with aloe vera or a moisturizer will help soothe your skin. Just wait until your burn has cooled down to apply the cream. 5. Put on a bandage. Protect the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Avoid using fluffy cotton. Don’t securely tighten the bandage. Wrap it loosely so the burn can heal while being protected. 6. Take a pain reliever. A burn injury can be pretty painful, so we recommend taking an over-the-counter medication that contains ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen. Following these six steps will help minor burns recover. If you’re in tremendous pain, we recommend going to the doctor for more intensive treatment. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Did you suffer from a burn injury? It can be a terrible experience to go through, and one we hope you heal from quickly. Some burn injuries are from accidents, but another person’s negligence causes some. If someone else caused your burn injury, you might be a personal injury victim. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here for you. We’ve represented personal injury victims for over 25 years. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
Types of Accidents: Car and Truck Collisions
Car and truck collisions happen every single day. Even the most careful driver can get into an accident. Thankfully, some accidents are minor, with drivers and passengers safe from injury or death. But some collisions result in tragedy with the loss of a loved one or a life-altering injury, like a traumatic brain injury or paralysis. And many of those collisions involve cars and trucks. These two types of vehicles don’t mesh well because they’re not equal to each other. A truck is so much larger and heavier than a car that the impact is far worse than in a car-to-car collision. Injury or death is far more likely in car-truck crashes. So, what types of accidents do cars and trucks get into? That’s what we’re looking at in today’s blog. Common Collision Causes Some types of car and truck collisions are more common than others. These are the most common types. Rear-end collisions These accidents occur when a vehicle hits the car or truck right in front of it. It’s unlikely that you’ll die from this type of collision, but whiplash is common. While a car rear-ending another car doesn’t usually result in extensive damage, a truck rear-ending a car could total the vehicle. A car rear-ending a truck could also total the car. Side-impact collisions These accidents are also called “T-bone” accidents because of how the vehicles collide. One car hits the other on its side. These accidents usually occur in the middle of an intersection when a driver fails to give the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. A side-impact collision between a car and a truck can result in severe injury or death. These crashes are extremely dangerous because the side of a car isn’t designed to withstand heavy impact. Rollover collisions This extremely dangerous type of collision involves a vehicle flipping over. As you can imagine, an 18-foot truck rolling over will cause a lot of damage. These accidents are devastating, often resulting in severe injury or death. Head-on collisions A head-on collision is the opposite of a rear-end collision. The vehicle hits the car or truck from the front instead of behind. Head-on collisions cause serious injury and death. As you can see, cars and trucks get into the same kinds of accidents as any other kind of vehicle. It’s the size of the truck that makes these accidents so deadly. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Being involved in any type of accident is a traumatic experience. But car and truck collisions can be even more traumatic than other types of accidents. You deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton have been representing car accident victims for years. We’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering. If you have questions or would like more information, contact us today for your free case evaluation.