Protect Your Legal Rights After A Traumatic Brain Injury
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
Every year in the United States, 1.7 million American suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) according to the Center for Disease Control. Over half of these are sustained from auto accidents. TBI is a life-changing disease and can create serious hardship for the victim. If the accident is the result of another’s negligence, that victim is legally owed compensation to help pay for those hardships.Common Damages Incurred From TBI
As TBI can impact every area of your life, there are often multiple areas of damages. Some of the most common include:
● Medical expenses incurred
● Lost income, both current and future
● Physical and emotional pain
● Lost quality of life
These can all be very expensive damages and require full compensation to overcome.
How A Car Accident Can Cause Traumatic Brain Injury
Trauma to the brain occurs in auto accidents when the moving head comes to a quick stop and the brain continues moving and striking the interior of the skull. This can be a result of the head striking the steering wheel or windshield. There may not be any open wounds but the injury can occur. Another form of trauma to the brain is called blunt trauma. This is when the head hits an object such as a crushed roof or the person is ejected out of the car. At impact the brain opposite the impact site is pulled away from the skull injuring the brain there.
How To Identify Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
No matter how serious or non life threatening you think the auto accident, you should always be examined by a medical provider within 72 hours of the accident. Seeking medical care immediately can help catch the illness and get you treatment before it becomes worse. Some symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
● Trouble processing information
● Headaches
● Loss of memory
● Difficulty communicating
● Mood swings
Once your medical provider has determined you have a brain injury, you will need the help of a trusted attorney who can help you pursue compensation and effectively fight to protect your rights.
Pursuing Compensation for Traumatic Brain Injury Claims
In the State of Florida, the system of compensation is based on “pure comparative negligence” system. This means the damages between the two parties are based on percentage of fault. Dependent on what percent of fault is assigned to the other driver you can seek compensation for the rest. This is why it is vital that you call the attorneys at All Injuries Law Firm. In addition to helping you establish the comparative negligence, they also can help you recover compensation. The main types of compensation in the State of Florida that apply to traumatic brain injuries are:
● Special Damages: Special damages are considered “out of pocket” expenses. These are reimbursements for any direct financial losses you experienced due to your injuries such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages (current and future), and funeral costs.
● General Damages: General damages are compensated for non-out of pocket losses. These intangible damages are a little harder to prove, but are nonetheless real. These include emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.
At All Injuries Law Firm, our team of attorneys work with medical experts and other professionals to provide a strong case. With offices in Port Charlotte and Fort Myers, we have helped hundreds of TBI victims just like you. We have a proven reputation and will get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and peace of mind.