A car accident can cause a brain injury. Brain injuries can occur after a crash because the force of the impact or sudden movements can cause the vehicle occupants to hit their heads. A head injury can also happen when the vehicle occupant is struck by an object inside the vehicle.
If you have suffered from a brain injury after a car accident, contact a brain injury attorney today. Do not hesitate to get legal representation after getting injured and get started on your journey to full and fair compensation after an accident.
What Is a Brain Injury?
A brain injury refers to damage to the victim’s brain which disrupts normal functions. A brain injury can result from external forces, such as the impact of a car accident.
Symptoms of Brain Injuries
Brain injury symptoms can vary based on the severity and type of injury, but common signs of a brain injury include:
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Changes in behavior, mood, or personality
- Loss of consciousness
- Lost coordination
- Cognitive impairment
You deserve to financially recover for all of your losses after a car accident. Working with a qualified and experienced brain injury attorney is the best way to get the results that you want. You should always contact a lawyer today if you have suffered a brain injury from a car accident.
Common Types of Brain Injuries From a Car Accident
Because of the enormous impact during a car accident, vehicle occupants face a significant risk of brain injuries. Brain injuries can vary based on type and severity. Some of the most common types of brain injuries people suffer in a car accident include:
Contusions
Contusions are bruises on the brain tissue. The victim suffers from broken or damaged blood vessels which leads to bleeding under their skull.
Concussions
A concussion is a type of head injury that occurs when the victim’s brain is shaken inside the skull. A concussion can temporarily disrupt normal brain function.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
A diffuse axonal injury happens when the brain is subjected to rapid acceleration followed by rapid deceleration. Diffuse axonal injuries often cause damage to the nerve cells which transmit signals between areas in the brain.
Brain injuries can vary based on severity and typically range from minor to severe.
How Can a Car Accident Cause a Brain Injury?
Any significant impact on a victim’s head can cause a brain injury. A vehicle occupant can hit their head on any surface, causing serious injury. Here are some common types of brain injuries after car accidents:
Indirect Brain Injuries
An indirect brain injury happens when a vehicle occupant does not directly hit their head during a crash. The injured person still suffers from a brain injury, but the injury is caused by the force of the crash. The impact causes the brain to move from side to side within the skull. Indirect injuries typically happen in car accidents when the vehicle suddenly stops, and the victim is thrust forward.
Penetrating Brain Injuries
Penetrating brain injury is a serious risk after a car accident. The impact of a car crash can cause heavy objects to move about and strike the victim through the head. A penetrating brain injury happens when debris, like the steering wheel, glass, signage, etc., strikes the victim and the object enters their brain. A penetrating brain injury can cause permanent disability or death.
Secondary Traumatic Brain Injuries
A secondary brain injury refers to the aftermath of the injury that the occupant suffers post-impact. For example, you might have had contusions from the initial accident, but any swelling or bleeding in the brain that you suffered is considered a secondary traumatic brain injury.
Whipping Injuries
Whiplash is often associated with accident-related neck injuries, but whiplash can also cause serious damage to the brain.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents typically happen when one or more parties make a mistake on the road. Here are some of the most common reasons that car accidents happen:
- Vehicle Defects
- Inexperienced Drivers
- Fatigue
- Running Red Lights and Other Traffic Violations
- Weather Conditions
- Reckless Driving
- Driving Under the Influence
- Speeding
- Distracted Driving
Knowing the causes of car accidents can help you avoid a crash. Avoiding a car accident can protect you from brain injury.
What Is My Brain Injury Claim Worth?
There is no way to guarantee the final monetary value of your claim, but some factors can help estimate its potential worth. Working with an attorney is the best way to ensure that you do not leave any money on the table as you pursue financial compensation for your brain injury.
Here are some factors that can influence the settlement value of your brain injury claim:
Location
The final settlement amount available can vary greatly depending on the state’s laws. An attorney will help explain how the laws apply and affect your right to compensation.
Liability
Liability might be a serious question. Whenever there is a question about who should take responsibility after a car crash, the insurance company will fight to avoid accepting liability. An attorney will fight for you against the insurance company to ensure that you do not miss out on the compensation to which you are entitled.
Pain and Suffering
Victims might be entitled to recover from their pain and suffering. Pain and suffering damages include compensation for emotional distress, pain, and diminished quality of life caused by the accident.
Lost income
Some injuries are so severe that they might keep you from returning to work. If your injury impacts your ability to work, you might be entitled to recover current and future lost earnings. You might also be entitled to recover for your lost earning capacity.
Medical Expenses
Brain injuries are serious and might require expensive medical intervention to treat. You might be entitled to recover for your current and future medical expenses. Speak to a personal injury attorney about your need for ongoing medical care to ensure that all of your expenses are factored into your final settlement.
Severity of the Injury
Brain injuries are serious and might take a long time to fully treat. Typically, it is not advisable for a brain injury victim to settle their case before their injuries are fully treated. The length of time that it takes for your injuries to heal can significantly impact the overall value of your claim.
Consulting with an experienced attorney in handling brain injury cases can provide you with a more accurate estimate of your case’s value based on your specific circumstances. An attorney can handle the legal process and ensure that you receive fair compensation.
Special Issues In Brain Injury Accident Cases
Because of the serious nature of brain injuries, the legal cases involving them can be quite complicated. An attorney can discuss your rights and options after an accident that caused a brain injury. Contact a personal injury lawyer if your case faces any of these issues:
Causation Issues
Accident victims must prove that the accident caused brain injury. Sometimes the cause of the injury is unclear, especially if the victim had pre-existing medical conditions.
Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies want to protect their bottom lines. The insurance company might try to downplay how serious your injuries are or try to minimize the impact of brain injuries. Having an attorney can help counter any unfair practices.
Subtle Symptoms
Symptoms of brain injury can be subtle. Headaches, memory loss, changes in personality, etc. can all be indicators of other illnesses. Because there is some ambiguity in the presentation of symptoms, it can be hard to connect the symptoms with the accident.
Complex Medical Evidence
Brain injuries can take months or years to fully treat. Because of the potential length of time that a patient might receive treatment, there may be a significant amount of evidence to sift through. A legal team can examine the evidence and make sure that none of your losses are overlooked due to the volume of the evidence.
Long-Term Care Needs
Brain injuries can lead to psychological effects, such as depression, or anxiety, which can complicate recovery and impact quality of life. These factors should be considered in a settlement.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
You might be entitled to recover from the emotional and psychological impact of the accident. A brain injury can leave the victim living with a substantial emotional fallout after the crash.
Change in Lifestyle
A brain injury might require a change in the victim’s lifestyle. For example, if the brain injury caused the victim to be unable to return to work, then they might face a serious change in economic status. An accident victim can pursue compensation for that loss.
Having an attorney working on your behalf can help you overcome these challenges. Working with a lawyer is the best way to build a strong case for compensation. Contact a brain injury accident lawyer to get what you deserve after a car accident. Do not delay.
How Can a Brain Injury Attorney Help Me?
Having a legal team is the best way to get the money that you deserve after a car accident that causes a brain injury. Here are some of the most practical ways that an attorney can help you win your claim:
Case Evaluation
Your attorney can carefully evaluate the details of your case. An experienced attorney can assess the details of your case. An attorney can help you understand the likelihood of a successful claim and what compensation you might expect.
Negotiating With Insurance Company
Negotiating with insurance companies can be difficult and overwhelming. Relying on an attorney can help you overcome the challenges you might face pursuing a settlement alone. An experienced attorney will help you avoid common underhanded tactics used by insurance companies.
Gathering Evidence
Some pieces of important evidence can be hard to find. An attorney can use their resources to discover and collect pertinent evidence that can prove your case. Examples of important evidence might include medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony among other pieces of proof.
Establishing Liability
Establishing fault after a car accident can present challenges. An attorney can help investigate the facts surrounding the accident to determine who is at fault and establish liability, which is critical to the success of your claim.
Calculating Damages
It can be hard to estimate the total value of your claim. An attorney can help you quantify your losses, like medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Legal Representation
If your case is not settled during the negotiations phase, then your brain injury lawyer can file a lawsuit in court on your behalf. Facing a courtroom can be scary. Having an attorney gives you someone to rely on who has your best interests in mind and wants to see you fully compensated.
Providing Legal Guidance
You will undoubtedly have many questions after a car accident. The legal process can be very confusing. An attorney will answer your questions and advise you about the best next step to take after suffering a brain injury after a car accident.
How Long Do I Have To Sue After a Car Accident?
If you have suffered a brain injury in a car accident, time is of the essence. Brain injury victims do not have an unlimited amount of time to sue. Each case is subject to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the deadline set by state law to file a lawsuit after a car accident. Work with an attorney to ensure that you do not miss the statute of limitations or other important procedural rules.
Contact a Brain Injury Accident Attorney Today
Suffering from a brain injury can leave you living a life that you do not recognize. Your injuries can be severe. They can cause disability or death. You deserve legal representation that can help you get your life back. Contact a personal injury attorney with experience in brain injuries today, to start your journey toward financial compensation.