Head Injury Claims: Car Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about two million Americans per year suffer head injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI); 14.3 percent of these injuries are caused by car accidents. This translates to approximately 286,000 TBIs as a direct result of car crashes annually. It is important to note that the actual number may be much higher because the symptoms of brain injuries aren’t always noticeable in the stress and confusion that follow an accident. In medical circles, head injuries are commonly referred to as a “silent” epidemic because many people do not realize that a concussion is a form of TBI.
If you suffered a serious head injury because of a car accident caused by another driver, contact an experienced car accident lawyer today. He or she will fight for justice and damages on your behalf so you can get back to living your life.
Common head injuries from car accidents
The most common type of head injury from a car accident is a closed head injury (as opposed to a penetrating head injury where a foreign object breaks through the skull and enters the brain). A closed head injury is caused by a bump or blow to the head. In a car accident this typically happens when the head strikes the windshield, dashboard or steering wheel.
Head injuries and mild trauma to the brain can occur in even low-speed car crashes. A concussion, which is the most common but mildest form of TBI, is now being recognized as the cause of long-term thinking and memory problems as well as emotional and behavioral changes. These changes can have a significant impact on your quality of life.
Head injury claims
If you have suffered a head injury from a car accident you are likely entitled to a settlement from a car insurance company. The question is how much is your claim worth and can you negotiate the best settlement for yourself? A car accident lawyer is best equipped to calculate the value of your claim and negotiate with car insurance companies. In fact, people who hire injury lawyers typically receive settlements several times bigger than what they could negotiate on their own, even after paying a percentage for fees.
Types of damages in head injury cases
The two basic types of damages in head injury cases are special damages and general damages.
Special damages: special damages are economic losses for which money is a similar replacement for what was lost. Your lawyer will make an assessment of the value of these damages using the “out-of-pocket” loss rule. Special damages can include:
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Medical expenses, therapy and long-term care
- Funeral and burial expenses (when the case involves wrongful death)
- Property damages
General damages: general damages are non-economic losses for which a monetary value can only be roughly assigned. General damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Shock and mental distress including PTSD
- Loss of reputation
- Loss of consortium (this claim is made by the family or spouse of the injured person)
- Loss of society and companionship
- Emotional distress
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
