Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys, APC, helps people that have been hurt in Thousand Oaks car accidents. These accidents can lead to a variety of different injuries, but some, like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are much more severe. Even if you’re wearing a seatbelt, a TBI from a car crash can bring long-term challenges for you and your family. Our firm is here to offer the legal support you need during this tough time. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Should You Hire a Lawyer After a TBI From a Car Accident?
A TBI is one of the most difficult injuries you can face after a car accident, so getting a lawyer could be crucial to your overall recovery. TBIs can lead to significant long-term challenges–physically, emotionally, and financially.
While you’re probably able to handle minor accidents on your own, a TBI is different: it’s a serious injury that often requires professional help. Our team can help you in this situation by:
- Explaining your rights and options
- Helping you gather medical records and other important evidence
- Connecting you with medical experts and other forms of support
- Negotiating with insurance companies to make sure you get a fair settlement
- If the insurance company won’t treat you fairly, we’ll file a lawsuit and go to court for you
With a TBI, the legal process can be complicated–on top of the other issues you’re dealing with. Working with us gives you peace of mind and can put you on the path to getting the full damages you need to heal. Let us take care of the legal side, so you can focus on healing.
How Do You Get Financial Support After a Car Accident?
One of the most difficult things about any car accident is the variables. Any single car accident can result in life-changing injuries, including a TBI. The question, then, isn’t what you can get through the legal process, but how you can make a recovery.
Knowing your legal options can help you manage medical bills and other challenges that come with a TBI–which is often the heaviest part of the burden. To get the available financial support (called “damages), you typically either:
- File an insurance claim – This is often faster, but insurance companies try to pay as little as possible–even in TBI cases.
- File a personal injury lawsuit – This process takes longer but can lead to higher financial recovery since it’s handled by the courts, not the insurance company.
Whichever option you decide to go with, you can potentially recover things like:
- Medical expenses – This covers your hospital visits, surgeries, therapy, and medical equipment.
- Lost income – This covers missed work and future earnings if your TBI affects your job.
- Property damage – This covers the repair or replacement cost of your car and other belongings.
- Ongoing care – This provides support based on your long-term needs like therapy, medications, and home adjustments.
- Pain and suffering – This covers the physical and mental pain from the accident and injury.
- Emotional distress – This relates to the emotional and psychological struggles like anxiety or depression caused by the accident.
- Loss of quality of life – This covers costs relating to how the TBI impacts your relationships and ability to enjoy life.
These damages can help you recover and adjust to life after a TBI. In California, you usually have two years from the accident date to file a claim, so it’s important to act quickly. But at the same time, the damage that comes with a TBI can be slow-developing. That’s why it’s important to put together a strong claim.
How Can You Strengthen Your Claim For Damages After a TBI?
There’s a lot that needs to be taken care of after a car accident. It’s also usually a chaotic and stressful time, especially when there’s damage and serious injuries like a TBI. This also makes taking certain steps after the accident much more difficult. Still, though, the following steps need to be taken to strengthen your claim:
- Call 911 – Call 911 as soon as you can so you can report the accident. 911 should dispatch an ambulance and local police. Mention any head injury symptoms you’re experiencing, like confusion, headaches, or dizziness. This will prompt medical help to arrive quickly.
- Move to safety – If possible, move to a safe area away from traffic. If your injury makes this difficult, ask for help.
- Swap information – Share contact and insurance details with the other drivers. If your TBI symptoms make it hard to focus, ask the police or someone with you to help.
- Document the scene – Take pictures and videos of the accident, damage to vehicles, and any visible injuries. These can serve as crucial evidence later.
- See a specialist – TBIs can worsen if untreated. Even if your symptoms seem mild at first, visit a doctor or emergency room to get a professional evaluation and link your injury to the accident. It’s also a good idea to see a brain injury specialist.
- Keep all records – Save medical reports, bills, police reports, and any communication with insurance companies. These documents will help prove the extent of your injury and the expenses related to it.
A TBI can make it difficult to complete these steps, which is why having legal support is so valuable. Insurance companies may try to minimize your injury, but thorough documentation and a strong claim can make sure you get a fair result. And remember, our team is here to support you and fight for your claim.
What Makes a TBI After a Car Accident So Challenging?
As you can probably tell by now, a TBI is extremely challenging. The brain is extremely delicate, and even a mild TBI can have long-lasting effects. Car accidents often involve sudden impacts or jolts that can easily cause significant brain damage, making TBIs unfortunately common.
On top of that, TBIs are hard to diagnose, treat, and even fully understand. Recovery can be a lengthy and frustrating process with many obstacles. But it’s important to look at why these injuries are so challenging:
- Varied symptoms – According to the Cleveland Clinic, TBIs can cause headaches, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings, making daily life unpredictable and challenging.
- Lengthy recovery – Healing from a TBI often requires months–but more often, years–of medical care, therapy, and rehabilitation, which can be exhausting for both you and your family.
- Costly medical bills – The expenses for treating a TBI can add up quickly, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing therapy, creating significant financial pressure.
- Disruptions – A TBI can make it difficult to work, maintain relationships, or handle everyday tasks, often leading to emotional challenges like anxiety, depression, or isolation.
Beyond legal help, Thousand Oaks offers a variety of resources, including support groups and government programs, to help you and your loved ones on the road to recovery.
Support for TBI Victims After a Car Accident in Thousand Oaks
Recovering from a car accident is never easy, but dealing with a TBI adds an entirely new level of difficulty. At Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys, we understand the unique challenges TBI victims and their families face. That’s why we’re committed to providing the legal support and guidance you need to navigate this tough time and build a strong claim. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you take the first step toward rebuilding your life.