Accidents are a common cause of head and brain injuries
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating the public about the latest “developments for the brain injury community,” according to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), one of the nationwide organizations leading this month-long educational campaign.
However, what many people might not realize is car accidents remain one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
So, just how common are car accident brain injuries? What legal options are available to brain injury victims? And how can a car accident lawyer help if you or a loved one sustained a brain injury in a crash? The legal team at Armando Personal Injury Law in Tampa, FL, explains.
What is a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury is a head injury that results in brain damage or any injury that impairs a person’s cognitive abilities. Concussions are the most common type of TBI, but there are many other types of brain injuries.
Depending on the severity of a TBI, such brain damage can be temporary (which is common for concussions and other mild TBIs) or can result in permanent brain damage (which is often the case for some moderate TBIs and more severe TBIs).
Millions of people suffer brain injuries annually
Every 9 seconds, someone sustains a brain injury, according to the BIAA. That figure works out to more than 3.5 million brain injuries every year. Many brain injury victims also require hospitalization.
Specifically, more than 200,000 people each year on average are hospitalized for a TBI, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And again, car accidents are one of the leading causes of TBI.
How common are TBIs in car accidents?
Year in and year out, car accidents remain one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries. One study by the CDC estimated that 14 percent of all TBIs occur due to car accidents. Based on that estimate, roughly 490,000 people each year sustain a brain injury due to a motor vehicle collision.
Car crashes and brain injuries explained
Car accidents often cause brain injuries because the force of a crash can be powerful and sudden. When a vehicle rapidly slows down upon impact, the driver and passengers in the vehicle keep moving forward inside the car, then come to an abrupt stop, resulting in a serious injury to the brain and other internal organs.
Car accident brain injuries sometimes involve the brain hitting the inside of the skull, which is especially common in concussions. Other times, a person’s head might hit the dashboard, windshield, or another part of the car, resulting in an even more severe TBI.
Speed is frequently a factor in the severity of brain injuries sustained in crashes. This is especially true for highway accidents and head-on collisions. In both scenarios, the force created in the crash is enough to cause severe and sometimes fatal head injuries to drivers and passengers.
Legal options after suffering a brain injury in a car accident
If you or a loved one sustained a brain injury in a car accident in Florida, you may have several options, including:
- Accept a settlement offer from the insurance company. Be careful, though, as insurance companies are notorious for offering lowball settlements that don’t cover the full extent of damages.
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement. Often, it’s in your best interest to seek legal representation from an attorney who can deal with the insurance company on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery. A lawyer can assess the true value of your claim and advocate for the compensation you deserve.
- File a car accident lawsuit. Most cases settle out of court, but if the insurance company won’t negotiate in good faith, filing a brain injury lawsuit can send a strong message that you won’t let them take advantage of you. Once a lawsuit is filed, a settlement can still be reached at any point in the process. If a settlement can’t be reached, your attorney can fight for a favorable verdict in court.
Every case is unique. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this important legal question. The best way to know what to do after a brain injury is to consult an experienced car accident lawyer. An attorney can answer your questions, explain your potential legal options, and help you navigate the process of obtaining the financial compensation you deserve.
Contact an experienced brain injury attorney in Tampa, FL
Never assume the insurance company will do the right thing after a car accident. The stakes are high in brain injury claims, and insurance companies are only concerned with protecting their bottom line.
We know what’s at stake at Armando Personal Injury Law. That’s why our attorneys don’t let insurance companies bully our clients. We take a tough stance and fight back.
Contact us today and schedule a free case evaluation with our Tampa law firm. Our office is located on East 5th Avenue, and we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we obtain a financial recovery on your behalf.