Traumatic Brain Injury Following an Accident
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a brain dysfunction that has been caused by an outside force such as a violent blow to the head. A TBI may cause an extensive list of problems for the patient including cognitive and behavioral problems, balance disorders, mood changes, sensory and speech problems, and persistent headaches, just to name a few.If someone has suffered a TBI, then they may be looking at long recovery time. Sometimes the condition can improve between six months and two years following the accident. However, improvement may slow down significantly after the two-year mark, and they may continue to experience problems for the rest of their lives.
More than half of the injuries reported for TBI have been due to car accidents, and they result from the strong blow to the head someone can receive during the accident in which any kind of force can penetrate or fracture the person’s skull.
Traumatic brain injury can occur when the head strikes a window or the steering wheel during the accident, or even due to the force of the accident that may cause the brain to collide against the internal bone of a person’s skull.
Seeking Compensation for a TBI
If you or someone you know has been suffering from a TBI due to a car accident, then you may be able to seek compensation for the injury. When there is a brain injury, it is usually placed in one of two categories; mild and severe. A mild brain injury is when there is a loss of consciousness that lasts for less than thirty minutes, while a severe brain injury, the loss of consciousness will be longer.
The most important thing to remember when you are seeking compensation for any TBI is to keep detailed records and medical records regarding the injury. You will also want to document all the effects you are experiencing due to the injury.
Next, you will want to begin to consult with a personal injury attorney, so they can help you calculate the damages and find ways to prove the negligence that resulted in the injuries you have sustained due to the accident.
Monetary compensation you may be entitled to include compensation to cover the cost of any therapy or medical visits you have, the loss of income due to the accident, the reduced quality of life you may be facing, and the pain and suffering you are going through as a result of the accident and your injury.
As with any kind of claim, you will want to familiarize yourself with the steps that need to be taken when you are filing your claim. You will also want to be sure that you are covering all your bases and you are able to provide all the proper documentation you are going to need for the case.
Filing Your Claim
When you are ready to file your claim, you will also need to determine if an insurance policy will be able to cover the injuries. In the case of a car accident, you will want to inquire about the at-fault party’s insurance coverage and policy.
However, with a TBI your injuries are most likely significant enough to proceed with your claim even when the other person’s insurance policy will not be able to cover the injuries. They will then have to figure it out on their end, especially if they are found to be 100% at fault for the accident.