If you sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident that was not your fault, you might be entitled to compensation. The compassionate and experienced legal team at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP understands the emotional, financial, and psychological burden that happens after a traumatic physical injury.
You may be left with significant medical expenses and unable to work. Compensation cannot change the injury, but it can help cover your expenses and protect your financial future. In Alabama, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called a statute of limitations.
The Alabama statute of limitations for a personal injury is two years from the date of the accident. While this sounds like a lot of time, it is crucial that you contact a personal injury lawyer as soon after the accident as possible.
Your lawyer can help you negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company or fight for your rights in court if negotiations are unsuccessful. Call the Birmingham car accident lawyers of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP today at (205) 324-1212 to schedule your free consultation. Don’t delay getting help for one more day. You don’t have to go through this alone.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury, also called a TBI, is an injury that happens to your brain inside your skull. There are two categories of traumatic brain injuries. An open brain injury occurs when the skull has cracked, and the skin is open, exposing your brain to the air.
A closed brain injury is like a bruise to the brain that happens inside the skull. This can result in bleeding and swelling in a finite, enclosed space. In other words, the brain can swell to a size greater than the skull can contain. This can cause further injury to the brain and can be fatal.
There are several ways that a closed head injury can occur. The most common in a car accident is a coup contrecoup injury. In this injury, your head hits a stationary object as the car suddenly decelerates. Rapid deceleration causes the brain to hit the front of the skull hard. It then bounces to the back of the skull, injuring both sides of the brain.
A car accident can also trigger a shear injury in which the nerves are severed. Either type of injury can cause significant and permanent damage.
Why Do You Need a Birmingham Lawyer for a Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident?
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident that was not your fault, the at-fault person’s insurance company may send an insurance adjuster to talk with you within the first 48 hours. They want to ask you questions about the accident and may ask for a recorded statement. Their goal is to protect the financial interest of their client. This means they are looking for information that will damage your case.
When you speak to an insurance adjuster, it is acceptable to give them your name and contact information and respectfully tell them you will answer no more questions unless your lawyer is with you. The insurance company has experienced adjusters and attorneys working for them. You should also have legal representation to protect your rights.
Your attorney can help prevent you from inadvertently saying something that could negatively affect your case. They will also advise you on any lump sum settlement that may be offered. More often than not, the first offer from the insurance company will not be a fair offer. The Birmingham personal injury attorneys of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP will aggressively fight to get you the maximum settlement for your injuries.
What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injuries are categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury may not show up for hours, days, or even a week after the accident. However, while the injury’s symptoms may be delayed, that doesn’t make the harm any less significant. Symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury may include:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty with speech
- Loss of balance or dizziness
- Problems with blurred vision or ringing in the ears
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Memory, concentration, and processing problems
- Feelings of depression or anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Mood changes and mood swings
After a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, a person will lose consciousness for several minutes to hours. They may also complain of:
- Persistent headache or a headache that gets worse
- Repeated nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Inability to awaken from sleep
- Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
- Loss of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Profound confusion
- Agitation, combative notice, or other unusual behavior
If any of the symptoms of a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury occur at home, it’s vital you see a physician immediately. These are symptoms of increasing intracranial pressure which can lead to coma and death if not treated.
What Compensation Is Possible for a Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident?
Compensation that is possible following a traumatic brain injury includes coverage for economic and non-economic losses. “Damages” is a legal word for compensation. Economic damages are those that you have a receipt for or that are objective.
For example, medical expenses that are related to the injury following the accident, lost wages, and property damage are all examples of items you could receive economic damages for. You may also be awarded non-economic damages. These damages are paid for losses that are subjective in nature. These can include pain and suffering, wrongful death, loss of consortium, or loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP Today to Start Reclaiming Your Life
The legal team at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP understands that a traumatic brain injury can turn your life upside down. We also know that no amount of compensation can make up for the mental and physical injuries you may have experienced.
However, recovering damages can help make the path to recovery just a little bit easier. A serious traumatic brain injury may result in permanent, lifelong challenges that can sideline you from work and your daily activities.
It’s important to reclaim control over your life. It’s our mission to help you do that and to fight for your rights inside and outside the courtroom. Call the attorneys of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP today at (205) 324-1212 or contact us online to get your free case consultation.
