When you or someone you love has been injured in an accident you need an experienced Mission Viejo car accident attorney with the proven experience, expertise and legal skill to ensure the best possible outcome in your case. My name is Rivers Morrell and I have more than 40 years of experience as a personal injury attorney representing those who are injured in accidents. The first and most important thing to do after a car accident in Mission Viejo is to seek medical treatment. This may seem obvious, but some injuries are not readily apparent in the aftermath of an accident. Many who go through the experience of a collision in their car are just thankful to walk away without serious injury. I can’t tell you how many times people have told themselves (as well as their family, friends, co-workers and all of social media) they were fine, only to have serious issues present within 3 to 6 weeks after the accident.
As an experienced Mission Viejo car accident attorney i can tell you the most common types of hidden injuries are soft tissue injuries and damage to the discs in the vertebrae of the neck and spine, and knee injuries often referred to as “dashboard knee.” The discs are small pads filled with fluid which protect the bones in your neck and back while providing cushion as you bend and flex. The forces of an injury cause the body to move in an exaggerated way in fractions of a second, and the resulting trauma can cause small tears in these discs. While the injury victim feels fine at first, over the next few weeks the fluid starts to leak out of the torn discs and within 3 to 6 weeks the bones in the spinal column are rubbing together causing immense pain which often results in immobilization and several weeks off of work.
Dashboard knee is the nickname of a common injury which occurs when the knees strike the dashboard, steering column or other obstacle within the car. They may be sore after the accident but you can still walk. Many people dismiss these injuries as “bumps and bruises” only to learn several weeks later of the damage to the ligaments and tendons in their knee which will require surgery. If you do not see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours of the accident for a thorough check up the insurance company who is liable for your medical bills will decline your claim accusing you of obtaining the injury somewhere else after the accident. As an experienced Mission Viejo car accident attorney I’ve seen this happen too often. From a legal perspective the failure to see a doctor after an accident makes financial recovery down the road impossible, and those who would otherwise have a valid claim are forced to suffer from their injuries and pay all of the associated costs themselves.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Mission Viejo or Orange County car accident I urge you to visit an urgent care or see your primary physician within 24 hours of the accident, even if you feel fine. I invite you to review the recommendations of our clients and the legal industry and contact us or call (949)305-1400 for a free consultation. There is no cost to you out of pocket as we work on a contingency fee basis.
