After your car accident, it’s possible that you may have a bit of a headache or neck strain, and you may dismiss it as a minor injury. But it’s possible that a few days later, you may begin to experience sensitivity to light, dizziness, and confusion. If you have these symptoms, you may have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the accident, and without medical care, your symptoms may worsen.
The Orange County injury attorneys at Case Barnett Law understand how a TBI can change your life. They also know that personal injury claims for TBIs are difficult cases to settle because the insurance companies vigorously contest them. Case Barnett Law has successfully represented numerous victims of TBI in Orange County. Here, we explain why hiring legal counsel can be helpful if you’ve suffered a TBI after a car accident.
Understanding TBIs
One of the most serious injuries you can suffer in a car accident is a TBI. This condition occurs when brain tissue is damaged due to an external blow, bump, or blow to the head or from a penetrating object. When there is a physical impact to the head, the brain moves back and forth within the skull, and this can cause contusions or bruises at the impact sites. Because a TBI affects how the brain works, it’s especially dangerous. It can cause blurry vision, memory loss, and problems concentrating.
TBIs are classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on how long the victim is unconscious:
- Mild. This is the most common type of TBI and usually involves a concussion. It’s usually caused by a direct blow to the head or a hit to the body that causes the head to move violently back and forth or side to side. The victim’s loss of consciousness is usually less than 30 minutes. Over 75% of TBIs are diagnosed as mild.
- Moderate. A moderate TBI involves a more severe injury to the head, and it can lead to cognitive issues and long-term medical conditions. Loss of consciousness is usually 30 minutes to 6 hours. Symptoms can include vomiting, slurred speech, and persistent or worsening headache.
- Severe. This type of TBI is often caused by a gunshot wound or when the head hits a hard object. Loss of consciousness usually lasts more than 6 hours, and symptoms often include coma, arm and leg weakness, and issues of balance and coordination. It can be life-threatening for the patient and life-altering for family members.
Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney for Your TBI Claim
The car accident attorneys at Case Barnett Law understand that a TBI can upend your life. You may have to re-learn everyday tasks, put your job on hold, and go through extensive medical treatment. Your entire daily routine, as you once knew it, can be over. In summary, your life will be more difficult after suffering a TBI and may never be the same.
Working with an experienced car accident lawyer can ease some of the burdens you’ll face because they can do the following:
Build Your Case
Because TBI lawsuits are some of the most complicated and complex, it’s important to have an experienced team investigating your case. This is a critical step in obtaining fair compensation. Your attorney needs to gather crucial evidence to support your case, including medical records, accident reports, and insurance claims that all show the link between the at-fault driver’s negligence and your TBI. Gathering this type of indisputable and substantial evidence is a significant part of building the strongest case.
Assist With Your Medical Treatment and Care
Getting an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment for a brain injury are critical to your healing and the success of your case. An experienced lawyer who understands TBI claims will have a network of skilled medical experts and specialists who can give you an accurate picture of your injury and ongoing care needs.
Negotiate With the Insurance Company
Having a skilled brain injury lawyer on your side to represent your best interests and negotiate with the insurance company is absolutely critical if you want to receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Insurance companies and their representatives are trained to make an initial low-ball offer. Their goal is to protect the company’s bottom line, and they want to pay out as little as possible. Because your TBI will likely involve expensive medical costs, both in the immediate and long term, you need a lawyer who can negotiate to help ensure your compensation covers your bills now and in the future.
Use Knowledge of the Orange County Court Systems
To get the maximum compensation and care you deserve in a TBI case, you need a lawyer with plenty of experience working in the local court system. Having an attorney who knows the opposing lawyers, judges, and potential juries can give you an edge when seeking maximum compensation.
Calculate the Full Value of Your TBI Claim
When you suffer a TBI in a car accident, it’s not like suffering a broken bone or a strain or sprain. TBIs often require lifelong care and support. It’s not enough for your settlement to cover your present medical costs. You will likely need financial support well into the future and/or for the rest of your life. Our Orange County car accident attorneys can help calculate compensation needed for the following:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Rehabilitation therapy and cognitive training
- Mental health counseling and support services
- In-home care and assistance with daily tasks
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
We consult with medical experts and life care planners to project future costs and help ensure your settlement covers all of your long-term needs.
Provide Justice and Restore Hope
It may never be possible for you to be made whole after a TBI because this type of injury can be life-altering. However, obtaining a fair settlement can give you peace of mind and some closure for an accident that may affect your life forever. An attorney who can hold the at-fault driver accountable provides one avenue for obtaining justice for you and your family.