Car accidents in California often result in brain injuries that require hospitalization and ongoing medical care. When a car accident is caused by the negligence of another driver, victims are entitled to compensation for their medical expenses and other losses. If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury in a car accident, turn to J&Y Law.
Our personal injury attorneys have a well-deserved reputation as dedicated advocates of car accident victims. Knowing that a brain injury can be life-altering, we will work tirelessly to help you obtain the medical care you need and the compensation you deserve. We handle all car accident cases on a contingency basis, which means you will not pay any attorneys’ fees until we recover for you. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is typically caused by a violent blow to the head but can also occur when an object penetrates the skull. A TBI can be classified as mild, moderate or severe, depending on whether the injury causes temporary symptoms or results in more serious damage to the brain. A catastrophic brain injury may result in permanent disability or even wrongful death.
In a car accident, a brain injury can occur by a violent shaking of the head (often associated with whiplash), the head impacting any part of the vehicle’s interior (e.g. windshield, car ceiling, steering wheel), or a piece of the vehicle striking the head. A brain injury can also occur when victims are ejected from the vehicle. Given the lasting repercussions of a brain injury, it is crucial for car accident victims to have immediate medical treatment.
What kinds of car accidents result in brain injuries?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents are the leading cause of brain injuries requiring hospitalization. In most cases, car accidents are caused by a driver’s negligent or reckless conduct, such as drunk driving, speeding, failing to obey traffic signals or reckless driving.
Brain injuries can vary, depending on the impact of the collision and the point of contact. In a rear-end collision, for example, occupants of the vehicle that was struck from behind often experience whiplash, which is caused by a violent shaking of the head back and forth or side to side, which can also cause the brain to impact the skull, resulting in a TBI.
By contrast, a head-on collision causes the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop while the driver and passengers continue to move forward at the same rate of speed the vehicle was traveling prior to impact. The victims can be thrown forward, striking the windshield or dashboard, or have the front-end crushed against them, which can cause severe injuries to the head, face, and upper body.
In a side-impact (T-bone) collision, the victim’s head is thrown in the direction of the impact. If the vehicle is struck on the passenger side, for example, the passenger’s head would be forced to the right, causing the brain to impact the left side of the skull and then back to the right, resulting in head trauma.
In any event, head and brain injuries can be devastating. The impact may result in skull fractures or cause shards of glass, debris, or even bone fragments to penetrate the skull, resulting in catastrophic injuries. Even a low-impact collision can result in a brain injury such as a concussion. Regardless of the type of accident or extent of the injuries, victims deserve just compensation if their harm resulted from another driver’s recklessness or negligence.
How Our Car Accident Attorney Can Help with Your Brain Injury Claim
At J&Y, we have the skills and resources to handle brain injury claims arising from car accidents. By conducting a thorough investigation, we will work to show how the other driver was responsible for the accident that caused your injury. We will also collaborate with your doctor to gather the necessary medical evidence that supports your claim.
While no two car accident cases are alike, you may be able to recover compensation that includes economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages will cover your actual financial losses, such as medical expenses and loss of income, while non-economic damages are intended to compensate you for incalculable losses (e.g. pain and suffering, disability, emotional distress).
If the at-fault driver’s conduct was particularly egregious (e.g. drunk driving), you may also be awarded punitive damages which are designed to punish his or her misconduct and deter others from similar misconduct. Finally, if your loved one has died from complications of a brain injury after a car accident, we will determine whether you have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact Our Experienced California Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury in a car accident, you need the powerful representation J&Y Law provides. Trust our legal team to help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve. We have a proven history of achieving significant settlements and jury awards, having recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients. Contact our office today so we can start working on your claim.