If you are in a serious car accident, you likely have been injured. Even small accidents can lead to serious injuries. Some accidents cause broken bones or cuts and bruises. Sadly, some lead to significant injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries.
A traumatic brain injury is exactly what it sounds like. It is when your brain is damaged due to the impact from of an accident. It can happen because your head suffers a major blow. Or, if your body is thrown from a car, your brain literally rattles around in your head.
Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most serious types of injuries. The only thing that may be more dangerous is a spinal cord injury. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are life changing. If someone is responsible for your TBI, you are entitled to compensation.
Traumatic Brain Injury in Florida
Florida does see its share of car and motorcycle accidents. These accidents are dangerous. They can lead to serious injuries, such as a TBI. Statistics show some interesting trends regarding traumatic brain injuries in Florida.
First, traumatic brain injuries occur more often in Florida than in other states. This could because more people in Florida drive motorcycles, golf carts, and open vehicles. When there is less standing between the driver and the road, chances for a TBI are greater. The head is left unprotected. Any impact can lead to a TBI.
Another interesting thing about Florida is that we see more TBI among the older population. Again, this could be because the average resident in Florida is generally older. People go to Florida to retire. Sadly, recovering from a TBI is difficult. It becomes more difficult as we get older.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
If you or a loved one have suffered a TBI, you need to contact a TBI attorney. Florida has many experienced attorneys who handle TBI cases. A TBI case is like any other personal injury case. The difference is that the level of damages tends to be higher. This is because TBI impact our lives much greater than most other injuries.
It’s important to understand how serious a TBI can be. Some of the effects of a TBI are:
- Headaches
![Symptoms of a TBI]()
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Short-term memory loss
- Long-term memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Stroke-like symptoms
If you notice any of these symptoms following an accident, you may have a TBI. It is important to always seek medical attention after an accident. Even if you don’t think you are hurt, you need to go to the hospital. This is important for a few reasons:
- Get treatment for any obvious injuries
- Get necessary tests for invisible injuries like a TBI
- Get medical documentation that you were injured
- You will need this as proof of injury for your legal case
Let the doctor know you are suffering from these symptoms. He can perform the necessary tests to see if you have a TBI.
Once medical care has been addressed, contacting a Florida traumatic brain injury lawyer can help determine whether you have a valid injury claim.
Why Brain Injury Cases Require an Experienced Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
TBI can have a serious impact on your life. The long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury can include physical limitations, cognitive problems, emotional changes, and the inability to work.
Because the damages in these cases can be significant, insurance companies often challenge the severity of the injury. A skilled Fort Walton Beach brain injury law firm can help gather medical evidence, consult with neurological experts, and build a strong case to prove the full impact of the injury.
Victims often experience long-term consequences such as:
- Permanent physical or mental disability
- Inability to work
- Issues in your personal life
- Depression
- Problems with family and social life
When these life-changing effects occur, your attorney will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Depending on how you were injured, there may be different parties to pursue.
Your brain injury lawyer will pursue the insurance company of the person at fault. If it was a commercial driver, he will also file a claim against the company. Ideally, insurance will cover all of your damages. However, your attorney may need to file a lawsuit on your behalf.
If the insurance policy doesn’t cover the extend of your damages, you will need to file suit. Your damages will be high. Chances are you may have to pursue multiple parties to be fully compensated.
Compensation Available in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
Victims of traumatic brain injuries may be entitled to several types of compensation. A knowledgeable Florida TBI attorney will evaluate the full scope of damages before negotiating with insurance companies or filing a lawsuit.
Possible compensation may include:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Florida does allow for pain and suffering. In a TBI case, this is important. There will be damages involved that cannot be easily measured. For example, how do you measure the victim’s loss of a social life? How do you compensate someone for losing their ability to speak?
Damages for pain and suffering are not capped in Florida. However, other sorts of damages are limited. Depending on the type of accident, the amount of money you can demand may be limited. If your TBI was the result of medical malpractice, the damages are limited. The same is true if your claim is against the state or government.
Because traumatic brain injuries often require long-term care and treatment, settlements in these cases can be substantial. A trusted brain injury law firm in Fort Walton Beach will work to pursue every available source of compensation.
Call a TBI Attorney in Fort Walton Beach, Florida Today
A traumatic brain injury can change every aspect of a person’s life. From ongoing medical care to the emotional toll on families, the impact is significant.
If you or your loved one have suffered a TBI after an accident, the team at Browning Law Firm is ready to help. As a trusted brain injury law firm in Fort Walton Beach, the firm represents clients throughout Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, Walton County, and surrounding areas.
A consultation is free, we can answer any questions or concerns you may have, and you pay nothing until we win your case!
Call 850-344-1736 or fill the contact form today to speak with a traumatic brain injury lawyer about your case.