A tragic accident involving a Mercedes and a fire truck on Old Dixie Highway in Clayton County, Georgia resulted in critical injuries sustained by one 6-year-old child on Wednesday, May 11th.
The Mercedes allegedly ran a red light at the intersection and collided with a fire truck, coming to a halt beneath the truck itself. Three people were ensnared in the Mercedes: the 18-year-old driver, a 6-year-old and an 8 year-old.
The firefighters in the stricken fire truck got out of the truck and immediately got to work on saving the 6-year-old, who was not breathing.
Both young girls were flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Egleston for treatment, while the driver was taken to the Atlanta Medical Center for minor injuries. It is unknown if those involved will be reaching out to the best car accident lawyers available at this time, but it is hoped they will make a speedy recovery.
The three firefighters involved in the accident were taken to the Southern Regional Medical Center to be observed for injuries. The three men had over 31 years of service combined. If these firefighters sustain injuries, they may be eligible to file workers’ compensation claims.
What Is Covered Under Worker’s Compensation?
When an employee is injured at work, worker’s compensation can provide financial relief for medical bills, lost income, costs incurred from permanent injuries, and more. Worker’s comp typically covers two-thirds of the income of the injured employee. If an employee chooses to pursue legal action against his or her employer after being injured on the job, said employee waives his or her rights to worker’s compensation.
What Are Some Typical Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents?
According to a 2013 study done by the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, motor vehicle crashes result in 40% more deaths than firearms annually. If a person involved in a car accident is lucky enough to survive the crash, these are some of the most common injuries he or she may sustain:
Neck Injuries
The abrupt jostling one’s neck sustains during a car accident can cause both minor and major injuries.
Whiplash
This minor injury is caused when a strong force causes the head to move back and forth, resulting in overextension of the soft tissues in the neck. Those who experience whiplash from a car accident may not feel symptoms right away. In fact, it may take a few days to feel the typical symptoms of neck pain and stiffness, dizziness, and headaches experienced at the base of the skull.
Cervical Dislocation and Fracture
These are more major neck injuries that can occur from a car accident.
Cervical Fracture
This occurs when a bone in the neck region of the spine brakes. When cervical fractures occur higher up on the spine, this may affect a person’s ability to breathe.
Cervical Dislocation
This occurs when a ligament injury in the neck forces 2 or more bones apart, creating an unusually large space between the bones, resulting in a dislocation. A cervical dislocation may cause several symptoms, including localized pain, numb or tingling arms, and a loss of strength in upper extremities.
Back Injuries
Beyond neck injuries, back injuries are an extremely common result of automobile accidents.
Herniated Disc
Discs are the soft cushions that lie between the vertebrae in the spine. An impact from a car accident can disrupt this soft tissue, and cause it to press on a nerve. The symptoms of a herniated disc are pain and numbness, and weakness in the arms and legs.
Fractured Vertebrae
Most fractured vertebrae injuries sustained in car accidents occur in the mid- to lower-back. This injury occurs when the impact of an accident forces the upper body to jolt forward while the lower body remains static from the seat belt. Symptoms of a fractured vertebrae injury include pain worsened by movement, numbness, loss of strength, and loss of bladder and bowel control. If we are out of your area, you should look for local practices (by going to lawboss.com for example) who can help fight your case as you may be eligible for compensation.
Is There Another Way To Obtain Compensation?
Yes. It may be possible to pursue a third party lawsuit against the responsible party. Worker’s compensation does not cover the full extent of lost wages, so third party lawsuits can help make up the difference.
How Much Is A Car Accident Claim Worth?
To get an idea of how much much victims have recieved from a car accident claim, you can review case settlements online. Claims can vary greatly depending on several factors such as the severity of the damage, the negligence of the responsible party and also the amount/quality of evidence presented at court to support your case. It is best to consult with a personal injury lawyer to determine the amount of compensation for which you may be eligible for.
Materials You Might Need To File A Claim
- Police Report: This will diagram the accident itself
- Witness Contact Information: Witness testimony can add credibility to your case.
- Photos Of The Damage: Photographic evidence can illustrate the extent of the damage done to the vehicles and the injured parties alike.
- Medical Records: This information can detail the kinds of injuries sustained, which will in turn provide information to determine the costs of treatment.
