Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC can help you through the claims process when you’re hurt in a car accident. While we always hope that your car accident is minor, even seemingly small collisions can cause serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs.) A claim and settlement can be crucial to your recovery from these difficult injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about your options.
What’s the Average Settlement for a Traumatic Brain Injury in a Car Accident?
The legal process works the same way for every person in Louisville that’s hurt in a car accident, but that doesn’t mean that every situation is the same. Quite the contrary–not every injury is the same, and some (like TBIs) are much more serious and difficult to deal with. This, in turn, impacts what you can get in a settlement. Over the years, we’ve helped numerous clients get the most out of a claim for these injuries. With TBIs, we’ve helped certain clients recover as much as:
- $1.2 million in a car accident claim.
While this is indeed a good result, you would still rather not be injured in a car accident. This is especially true with a TBI, which leaves you and your circle of loved ones facing serious challenges. The law tries to take this into account when you file a claim, but specifically, here’s what’s going to factor into what you can get for a TBI:
- How serious your injury is – According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s a wide range of severity with a TBI. Milder ones can heal on their own, which usually leads to smaller settlements. But if you have a severe brain injury with long-term effects, your settlement could be much higher.
- Your medical costs – ER visits, MRIs, hospital stays, therapy, and long-term care can get expensive with a TBI. The more treatment you need, the more you should be able to recover in your claim.
- Lost income – If your injury keeps you out of work, either short-term or permanently, you can potentially recover these lost wages or even loss of future earnings in a settlement.
- Pain and emotional changes – As the Mayo Clinic points out, TBIs often cause headaches, memory issues, mood swings, and emotional struggles. The bigger the impact on your life, the bigger your claim can be.
- Lasting effects – More so than virtually any other injury, a TBI is going to cause permanent changes in how you think, work, or live. If that’s the case, you need to account for these changes when you make your claim. This can bring in a higher settlement.
The more serious the injury, the more your case could be worth. Our team can help you figure out the full value of your claim and stand with you every step of the way.
How Can You Strengthen Your Claim After a TBI?
One of the toughest things about a TBI is that recovery is incredibly difficult–and unfortunately, it might leave you with permanent damage. To give yourself the best chance with a claim, you’ll need to take some key steps right away after the accident. But again, these things are going to be harder if you have a TBI, but that’s where trusted family, friends, and our team can help. Here’s what you should focus on after the accident to strengthen your claim:
- Get medical help right away – Like any car accident, call 911 right away so you can get an ambulance and response from the local police. Get checked out by paramedics at the scene, then follow up with a hospital or doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a TBI.
- Document the scene if you can – If possible, take photos of the crash, any visible injuries, damage, and get contact info from witnesses. These details could become very important later, especially if memory issues develop.
- Stick to your treatment plan – Follow every instruction your doctor gives you. Not following a treatment plan can hurt both your health and your case.
- Keep track of everything – Save medical records, bills, insurance letters, and any notes about how your injury is affecting your daily life, work, and activities.
Recovering from a TBI can feel like an uphill battle. Our job is to make the legal process easier while you focus on healing. When you take these steps to protect your claim, it helps us build a strong case for the support you’ll need.
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer After a TBI From a Louisville Car Accident?
As with any car accident, you’re not legally required to hire a lawyer–but it’s one of the best steps you can take if you have a TBI. As you can probably tell, TBIs aren’t like other injuries. They often need a different legal strategy and a lot more attention to detail. That’s where our team at Kaufman & Stigger can step in and and help with:
- Investigating who’s responsible for causing the car accident.
- Gathering your medical records and working with your doctors.
- Handling insurance companies and protecting your rights every step of the way
Best of all, we work on a contingency fee basis–meaning you don’t pay anything upfront. Our main goal is to make the process as easy as possible for you and your family while getting you the full settlement you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
