Tips and advice for overcoming an injury caused by a motorcycle crash.

When you are involved in an automobile accident, there is always a chance that you may fall victim to a serious injury. Depending on the road conditions, the nature of the accident, how fast you were going and what type of vehicle you were driving, the types of injuries that you sustain could range anywhere from minor sprains and fractures to severe head trauma.

While many cars and trucks offer numerous safety measures that were designed specifically to keep you protected during a car accident, there is one motor vehicle that does little to keep you safe when you are involved in a crash―a motorcycle.

When it comes to an injury caused to a motorcyclist, statistics show that nearly one out of every five motorcycle accidents will result in a head or neck injury to the rider. However, that’s not all. Recent studies have also found that motorcyclists were 32 times more likely to be killed in an accident than car passengers per vehicle mile driven.

And while there are many motorcycle accidents that are caused by reckless driving or rider error, the truth is that a good majority of these fatal accidents occur due to the negligence of other drivers on the road.

In order to shed light on just how serious motorcycle accidents can be, we have put together some information on just why these accidents are so dangerous and the most common injuries that are sustained as a result of these types of crashes.

Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Dangerous?

Motorcyclists face a far higher risk of being involved in a serious injury-causing accident than passenger vehicles. In fact, 98% of multiple vehicle collisions involving a motorcycle and 96% of single vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle resulted in some kind of injury to the motorcycle rider.

One of the biggest reasons that these accidents are so severe is the fact that instead of your body colliding with the steering wheel or the windshield in a car crash, in a motorcycle accident, you have the possibility of hitting the pavement, a lamp post, a tree or another car. Another reason is the fact that not every state requires motorcyclists to wear a helmet―in fact, only 20 of them do.

What Are Common Injuries That Stem From Motorcycle Crashes?

There are several different types of injuries that can occur during a motorcycle accident―both when the accident occurs or when the bike falls against the road.

One of the most common of these ailments is a head injury. A concussion or brain damage may occur when the riders head violently connects with another vehicle or object. While wearing a helmet can reduce these risks of serious head trauma by as much as 40%, they will not eliminate the risk of all potentially life-altering injuries.

Road rash and muscle damage are two other common injuries that can be sustained from a motorcycle accident. When the body slides across the surface of the pavement, without the protection of motorcycle-specific apparel such as a leather jacket or reinforced clothing, it can cause damage to the soft tissue and skin. There is also a common condition known as biker’s arm, which can be caused when there is damage to the nerves in the upper arm after a motorcycle crash.

If you have been involved in any kind of motor vehicle accident―whether it involved a motorcycle, a bike or a passenger vehicle―be sure to contact Sall Myers Medical Associates today to see to it that your injuries are taken care of. As long as you take the proper steps to get medical attention right away, you can ensure that your auto accident does not have a long-term effect on your health and happiness.

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When it comes to the different dangers that we constantly face when on the road, you would be surprised by just how many of crashes and fender benders can be avoided simply by putting 100% of our attention on the road and taking preventative measures against distractions.

Whether you are someone who is constantly playing radio roulette trying to find the perfect song for your drive, or you constantly need to be chatting away on the phone, it’s important to remember that distracted driving attributes to more auto accidents than crashes that occur as a result of poor weather.

However, when it comes to automobile accidents caused by distractions, there is one single activity that is responsible for more than 18% of distraction-related driving fatalities in America alone―texting while driving.

Sure, you have probably seen the shocking commercials, billboard advertisements and magazine articles that explain just how much texting can negatively affect your driving abilities. However, even when faced with the brutal truth behind this dangerous activity, many people still continue to text and talk behind the wheel. And, even with all of the studies and research that produce humbling results, the number of accidents attributed to driver distraction is steadily increasing year after year.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at any given time, more than ten million drivers in the United States are using cell phones. As a result, more than 21% of car crashes resulting in injury and 16% of all fatal collisions were attributed to distracted drivers.

Even worse, a new study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute which entailed outfitting the cabs of long-haul trucks with video cameras over 18 months, found that when the drivers texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting.

Luckily, many states are beginning to crack down and finally take a stand against the dangers of texting and driving. In response to safety concerns, some states, municipalities and even foreign countries have banned certain types of cell phone use while driving, such as handheld cell phone use, use of wireless phones by new driver, or texting. However, even if your state does not have any regulations against the use of cell phones while driving, you should still take precaution.

New Jersey alone has their own batch of prohibitions that help to make sure their drivers are safe every time they get on the road. Here are just a few of our state’s current restrictions against cell phones on the roadways:

-     Drivers must use hands-free devices while talking on cell phones.

-     Text messaging and use of video games prohibited while driving.

-     School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

-     Drivers under the age of 21 with learner’s permits or probationary licenses are prohibited from using cell phones, texting devices and other hand-held or hands-free wireless electronic devices while driving (includes iPods).

While text messaging may seem like a great way to keep in touch with friends and family when you are constantly on the move, it is important to remember that driving while texting is not only dangerous for yourself and those around you, but it is also against the law.

If you or someone in your family has been injured as a result of an auto accident caused by a distracted driver, be sure to contact Sall Myers Medical Associates today to ensure that your injury does not affect your health or your future.

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Now that we are officially mid-way through the month of November, people all over the country are beginning to make their holiday season preparations and map out their travel itinerary for visiting friends and family. Because of this, the months between November and March are considered to be the busiest of the road trip seasons.

Whether you are heading down south to protest the winter weather at your beach house with your family, or you plan to take advantage of the cool weather and hit the slopes up north, there is a good chance that America’s highways are going to be jam packed as the temperatures continue to drop, making it one of the most dangerous and challenging times to be on the road.

Just because there may not be snow on the ground does not mean that you do not have any winter weather advisories you should watch out for. Even at temperatures that are above freezing, if the conditions outside are wet, there is a good chance that you could encounter dangers such as dry ice and slick spots among common roadways.

Icy roads are not only a challenge to your car and it’s mechanical abilities, but these dangerous driving conditions may also test out your abilities as a driver. In order to help you prepare for the severe winter weather ahead, we have come up with some basic tips and tricks to follow in order to make sure that icy roads do not keep you from your holiday travels.

Prepare Your Car

One of the best things that you can do when heading out on the road during poor weather conditions is to make sure that your vehicle is adequately prepared. Double check that your tires are properly inflated, as this will help to make sure that they can grip the road in the event of sliding. Also, put together a basic emergency kit to keep in your car, just in case. This should include items such as a cell phone, an ice scraper and brush, a tow rope, blankets, a flashlight, etc.

Avoid Driving If Possible

The simplest way to avoid accidents during severe winter weather is to simply stay at home and wait until the conditions have passed. Once the snow plows and the sanding trucks have had plenty of time to clean up the roads, then you can proceed to your destination.

However, if you are unable to put off driving until the weather has cleared, try to research your route and keep abreast of the weather conditions, that way you can make proper detours or adjustments to your travel itinerary based on bad winter weather. Also, if possible, try to plan your trip during daylight hours. This will not only increase visibility outside, but it will also ensure that you will receive proper assistance if you have a problem with your vehicle.

Take It Slow

The key to driving overtop snow and ice is to keep it slow―slow acceleration, slow steering, slow braking, slow speeds. Make sure that you leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to prevent any accidents. Also, slow down whenever you are approaching bridges, intersections or off ramps.

Preparation and knowledge are the key factors to keeping yourself and your loved ones safe when you are on the road this holiday season. Be sure to follow these three simple tips to ensure that  you avoid nasty weather conditions and make it to your holiday destinations safely and securely.

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Driving safely on today’s roads demands constant attention and better judgment than ever before. Not only must you be cautious of common roadside dangers, such as blocked roadways, distracted drivers and aggressive motorists, but the weather outside also plays a large role in the safety of your journey.

Especially under hostile weather conditions, sometimes the safest thing you can do when planning out a road trip is to stay off of the road and wait for better conditions. However, the simple and safe solution is not always the most practical. Because of this, we here at Sall Myers Medical Associates want to prepare you for safe driving in every type of severe weather condition to ensure that you arrive at your destination safely and without harm.

When it comes to dangerous driving weather, there is no condition more hazardous or difficult to navigate through than heavy fog. This common meteorological condition, which consists of a thin layer of cloud resting on the ground, typically crops up around early spring through fall and can cause driving difficulties similar to that of driving with a blindfold on.

Severe fog coverage can limit a drivers visibility to less than 50 feet. While it may not seem like such a significant different, at 60 miles an hour, that is just over half of a second in front of you. Therefore, when you find yourself in this type of dangerous weather condition, it is important that you do everything possible to increase your vision. To help you get started, we have put together some of these basic tips for safe driving through fog conditions:

Keep Your Headlights On

Whenever you are driving through fog, it is essential that you turn on your headlights for maximum visibility. However, make sure that you are using your car’s fog lights and not your high beams by accident. This is very significant because high beams direct light up into the fog, making it more difficult for you to see. However, low beams direct light down onto the road to help other drivers locate you.

Reduce Your Speed

In normal driving conditions, you should always try to keep your minimum safety gap to three seconds in between cars. However, with the decreased visibility that is caused by fog, this amount should be increased significantly. Be sure that you are always keeping your eye on your speedometer and maintaining a slow, constant speed when driving through fog. After all, more fog-related traffic accidents occur because someone was driving too fast and couldn’t break in time.

Keep Moving

One of the most important things to remember when driving through dangerous fog-conditions is that, if you are making the decision to head out onto the road, you always need to keep moving in your vehicle. Never stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road to stop. This could result in a chain-reaction collision caused by people choosing to follow your tail lights as you pulled off of the road.

If you or someone you know has been injured by an automobile accident due to dangerous weather conditions, or have been involved in a crash for any other kind of reason, be sure to contact Sall Myers Medical Associates today.

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What to do if you’re in an accident with a driver who is uninsured.

Anytime you are involved in an automobile accident, whether it was a minor fender bender or a severe crash which lead to serious injuries, it can be a hassle trying to get the insurance information sorted out with both your auto company and the other drivers. Between filing the report, paying your deductable, and covering any costs for medial and repair bills, many times it can seem as though the aftermath of an accident causes more pain and stress than the accident itself.

However, if the other driver that you are involved in an accident with doesn’t have any insurance, it can turn an already complicated situation into an absolute nightmare.

While most states require by law that all drivers carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, not all motorists abide by this. In fact, the Insurance Research Council published a report which estimated that 14% of drivers in the United States do not carry any type of auto accident insurance. That means that if you are involved in a car accident, there is a 1 out of 7 chance that the person who is at-fault will be uninsured.

Not only does this mean that there could be a significant lack of coverage when it comes to the damage they caused to your automobile, but you may also face hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills if the uninsured driver has no means of paying.

In order to ensure that you do not face any problems that may be caused by an accident with an uninsured driver, we have put together some of the most important factors that you need to know when it comes to auto accidents and insurance.

What To Do At The Site Of The Accident

Like with any other automobile accident, it is important that you document as much information as you can about the person you had the accident with. That way, you will be able to contact them later down the road. Be sure that you exchange important information such as name, license number, tag number, etc.

Also, if they tell you that their insurance policy has simply expired, be sure to get the name and details of their carrier so that you can contact them to be certain that the person’s insurance was, in fact, out of date. You should also be sure to take lots of photographs of the accident scene and get a copy of your accident report if police responded to the call.

What To Do Once You’ve Left The Scene

Luckily, many insurance carriers offer some type of uninsured motorist coverage. In fact, in many states, this type of accident coverage is mandatory simply for situations like this. Having uninsured motorist coverage will not only insure that you are able to repair your car and cover any costs for damages, but it will also allow you to collect money from your insurance company in the event that you are injured by the uninsured motorist.

However, if you do not have an uninsured motorist policy, your availability of financial help may be limited when it comes to repair costs and medical bills. In this case, you may have to file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver if they were at fault for the accident.

No matter what type of insurance policy you have, be sure that you contact Sall Myers Medical Associates to see to it that your injuries are taken care of properly and your health does not become an issue. The medical associates at Sall Myers are also able to testify in court, if need be, about the extent of your injuries sustained in the accident. In the end, the most important thing is your health, so make sure that you take the proper steps that you need to in order to ensure a happy and healthy outcome.

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I got in a car accident and my back hurts… now what?

There are many different injuries and problems that can be caused by an automobile accident―broken bones, cuts and bruises, head injuries, whiplash, etc. Luckily, most of the injuries can be treated by a medical professional and will heal over time. However, there are some types of injuries sustained from a car crash which can stick with you for months, or even years, after your accident.

One type of injury which can leave many auto accident victims in pain long after their incident is a back injury. Car accident back pain is one of the worst, and most prevalent, types of chronic pain that is caused by automobile accidents. These injuries can be caused by a serious, significant car crash, or even something as simple as a minor fender bender. Back pain injury can also occur when a vehicle is struck on the side by another vehicle on the road.

While the tremendous forces that are created during a car accident are enough to tear apart the soft tissues in the back and shatter bones, whiplash is also responsible for more than one million car accident back injuries each year. Ten percent of these car accident back injuries can lead to long term pain and disability in those affected.

Luckily, there are many ways in which you can diagnose and treat a back injury to make sure that it does not have a permanent effect on your health and wellness. Here is just some basic information about car accident back injuries and their common symptoms and treatments:

What Types Of Back Pain Are There?

There are essentially two categories of back pain: acute (short-term), which lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, or chronic (long-term) back pain.

Acute back pain can be caused by a sudden jolt or trauma to the lower back caused by an automobile accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissue. Symptoms of acute back pain can range anywhere from muscle ache, to shooting pain in the back, to the inability to stretch or stand straight. While most cases of acute back pain can be cleared up with help from a medical professional, if symptoms are left untreated, they can become more serious and painful over time.

Chronic back pain presents the same type of pain and symptoms of acute back pain, however it is measured by duration―typically pain that persists for four or more months.

How Is Low Back Pain Treated?

There are a number of different tests and treatments that can be performed on a patient who has sustained serious back injuries from an automobile accident.

Most back injuries can be detected through a basic x-ray exam. These imaging techniques can help identify any broken bones or injured vertebra that may be causing pain in the back.  Medical professionals may also use other techniques to help identify the cause of back pain. These may include the use of CT or CAT scans, MRIs, bone scans, myelograms, discograms and other tests to help determine the extent of the injury.

If you have suffered from a serious back injury following an automobile accident, be sure to contact Sall Myer Medical Associates to ensure that the problem is treated and corrected before your symptoms progress. As long as you take proper steps to ensure that your injury is treated, you can help stop your back pain before it interferes with your health and your life.

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Tips for identifying the symptoms that come with a concussion.

It is no secret that our head is an extremely important, fragile part of our body. Not only does it house some of our primary sense organs such as our eyes, nose, ears and mouth, but it also plays home to our brain―perhaps the single most important, complex organ in our body. Because of all of the important functions that are taking place both on and in our heads, any injuries caused to this part of our body are always taken extremely seriously.

Unfortunately, when it comes to car accidents, there are endless possibilities when it comes to head injuries. Whether you are involved in a simple fender bender or a serious car crash, there are many different ways in which you could sustain severe impact to the head, such as hitting the windshield, being blown back by the airbag, hitting the steering wheel, suffering from whiplash, etc.

Whenever a person’s head is violently thrown back or impacts an internal part of the vehicle during an automobile accident, there is a chance of developing closed head injuries, such as a concussion. While many concussions will heal over time and not cause any permanent damage to the victim, there is also a possibility that it could lead to more serious injuries such as bleeding or swelling in the brain.

Because concussions are very hard to diagnose, given the fact that there may be no visible external injury that indicates head trauma, it is important that you recognize the signs and symptoms of these common auto-accident injuries so that you know when it is time to see a medical professional.

What Is A Concussion?

A head concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can be caused by impact to the head or body, a fall, or an automobile accident that jars and shakes the brain inside of the skull. With rest and proper care, most people will fully recover from a concussion within a few hours or days. However, severe concussions may require surgery or may even lead to complex problems with learning, speaking and movement.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms Of A Concussion?

You do not have to lose consciousness or have visible injuries in order to suffer from a concussion. In fact, most people suffer from subtle, unnoticeable changes that may be a result of head trauma. The symptoms of a concussion can basically boil down into four main categories:

If you have been involved in an automobile accident and have the signs and symptoms of a concussion, be sure to seek the advice of a medical professional immediately. Sall Myers Medical Associates can not only help you with your treatment, but also determine just how minor or severe your head injury may be. While a concussion is not typically a life threatening injury, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

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How to determine whether or not you need an MRI after your auto accident.

Whenever you are involved in any serious kind of accident ,whether it be caused by a personal mishap, a sports injury or an automobile crash, it is important to check up on any damages or injuries you may have sustained. And while no one particularly enjoys heading to the doctor’s office, it is essential for your general health and well being.

When heading to the doctor’s office following a serious infliction, the doctor will most likely aid to your injury in a typical way―stitches, casts, medicine, pain killers, etc. However, depending on the seriousness of the situation, there may be several different tests and treatments that your doctor orders in order to make sure that you are at your absolute best health.

One particular type of treatment, an MRI, is a great way for doctors to get an inside look at the inner workings of your body and take detailed pictures of soft tissues, including muscles, nerves, and even your brain! They are also great at uncovering otherwise unseen injuries sustained from a car crash or any other physical accident.

However, while MRI’s are popular among doctors as one of the best ways to get high level details of the inner workings of the human body, many people do not understand just how this treatment works and when exactly you may need one.

What Is An MRI?

An MRI (which stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is an amazing imaging device that works to pick up sensitive information about the body. In fact, MRI’s are so percise at uncovering small, detailed pieces of information that they are the “go-to” treatment for doctors looking at tissue between the bone, such as the medial meniscus, the ACL of the knee, and the rotator cliff. They are also great for looking at soft tissue areas such as the spinal discs.

The reason that MRI’s work so well at uncovering injuries is because they work by rotating a magnet all the way around a patient. The magnet then changes the excitation level of the hydrogen atoms in the body. Once these hydrogen atoms switch back to their normal level of activity, they emit a small amount of radiation that can be shown by an MRI scanner.

The reason that MRIs are so different from x-rays is the fact that x-rays can only see bone and none of the soft tissue that rests between the bone. Therefore, a person could be emanating significant pain from this part of their body and an x-ray would not uncover anything.

When Should You Get An MRI?

There are several different reasons in which your doctor may suggest that you receive an MRI. Some of these reasons may include:

- To get a clear look at shoulder or knee injuries

- To look at torn ligaments in the legs or arms

- To get a clear look at a shoulder injury

- To uncover infections in the joints, spine or brain

- To diagnose a brain tumor

However, it is important to understand that an MRI-Scan should not be interpreted on its own. Instead, it should be well-balanced with the rest of a patients injuries and treatment plans. This is why you should always contact a certified health professional when asking about the proper treatments and routines that follow an automobile accident.

Sall Myers Medical Associates is a multispecialty group of Board Certified Physicians with a 50 year history of treating patients, including those that need MRIs. We also offer radiology services using the latest technology to provide our patients with superior diagnostic evaluations at all of our locations. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step towards better health.

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How muscle relaxers work and when you should use them for your injury.

Whenever you are involved in an automobile accident―no matter how small or how serious―there is a chance of injury that stems from being in a crash. Sometimes these injuries can be serious, such as head trauma or broken bones, other times it could be something more minimal such as frequent back pain which keeps you up at night. No matter what type of injury you sustain from an auto accident, one thing is for sure: you want to get rid of the pain as soon as possible.

There are many non-drug therapies that people will often utilize to get relief from injuries sustained from an automobile accident. Some of these may include heating pads, over-the-counter pain relievers, massage therapy or even stretching exercises. While many of these alternatives can help to lessen pain temporarily, it can sneak up again as soon as you are finished with the activity.

When simple therapy does not work to relieve pain caused by an auto accident, many people will often turn to muscle relaxers. These prescription pain relievers typically involve a diverse set of drugs that specifically treat muscle pain and spasms involved in back pain, neck pain, headaches or fibromyalgia.

However, while muscle relaxers can help you to ease the tension in your body and make progress towards recovery, they should be used with caution. Many of these medications cause sedation as a side effect, which can increase a person’s risk of other accidents or further problems.

Because muscle relaxers are such as serious medication, we have put together a few points about how these relaxers work and when you should consider using them for your injury.

How Do Muscle Relaxers Work?

Whenever a person receives some kind of muscle injury, it can lead to pain, stiffness and muscle spasms, which may interfere with their day-to-day activities. Muscle relaxants work to ease the pain of muscle injury by acting on the central nervous system. However, it is important to know that these medications will not heal the injuries caused by a car accident, instead they help to ease discomfort and stop muscle pain.

Most muscle relaxers will be prescribed along with physical therapy, rest, exercise or other types of treatments by a medical doctor. While these medications may help you to feel better, it is important that you do not go back to normal activity right away, as it may actually worsen your injuries. Instead, work with your doctor on a treatment plan which will ease your body back into the swing of things.

What Are The Side Effects?

Muscle relaxers primarily focus on the bodies central nervous system, therefore they can cause effects such as blurred vision, lightheadedness, drowsiness, dizziness, etc. Because of these common side effects, it is extremely important that you do not do anything physical or dangerous when taking muscle relaxers, such as operating machinery or lifting heavy objects.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident and are interested in learning more about muscle relaxers for your injuries, be sure to contact Sall Myers Medical Associates. We can not only help to determine the treatment and recovery options that are best for you and your body, but we can also ensure that you are on the fastest, healthiest road to recovery possible.

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Information about car crashes that involve injured pedestrians.

Every single year, hundreds of thousands of people will become injured as a result of an automobile accident. Whether it was a minor accident such as a fender bender, a serious crash between two or more cars, or someone who was speeding and swerved off of the road, auto accidents can result in broken bones, serious injury or even death to someone involved.

When most of us picture an automobile accident, we usually think of an occurrence between two or more vehicles. However, a good majority of car accidents and auto injuries occur between cars and pedestrians, rather than car verse car. In fact, nearly 64,000 auto accident injuries happen to pedestrians every single year.

Pedestrian auto accidents are especially serious because there is a high potential for serious injury and death, mostly because the victim’s body takes a good majority of the vehicle’s impact during an auto accident. Therefore, even accidents that occur at low speeds can result in serious injuries to any pedestrians who are involved.

These accidents can result in injury from a variety of different factors. In a pedestrian accident study performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it was discovered that 40% of pedestrian injuries resulted from contact with the vehicle, 32% resulted from contact with the ground, and 26% resulted from contact with unknown objects.

To learn a little bit more about the seriousness of pedestrian automobile accidents, here is some basic information about the causes of pedestrian auto injuries, as well as the different problems that may occur as a result:

How Do Car Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

The reason behind pedestrian auto accidents can be divided into two basic categories:  pedestrian error and driver error. Unfortunately, in both cases, negligence is usually the most common factor.

Some common examples of pedestrian errors in auto accidents include:

- Failure to obey traffic control signals

- Running into traffic in pursuit of something (a child, a toy, an object blowing in the wind, etc.)

- Attempting to cross major highways or freeways

- Jaywalking

Some common examples of driver errors in pedestrian auto accidents include:

- Inattentive or pre-occupied drivers

- Failure to yield to the right of pedestrians at cross walks

- Disregarding crosswalks

- Driving under the influence

Injuries From Pedestrian Auto Accidents

Whenever a pedestrian is involved in an automobile accident, no matter how big or how small, they are at risk for several different serious injuries. Most pedestrians are struck from the front during an auto accident, therefore they typically sustain injuries to their head, legs and arms. However, other serious bodily injuries can occur from a car crash, including a traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, a coma, fractured bones, and much more.

If you find that you have been seriously injured as a result of an automobile accident―whether you were a car passenger, a driver or a pedestrian―it is important to seek medical help for you injuries to ensure that they do not turn into something more serious in the future. Contact Sall Myer Medical Associates to set up an appointment today and make sure that your auto accident injury is put behind you once and for all.

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