When you get hurt because of someone else’s actions, you may think that you should just file an insurance claim or rely on them to do what is right and cover your medical costs. The reality is that most people will need more support than that to resolve the situation.
Whether you’ve been in a car crash, were hurt because of medical errors or were injured intentionally by another person, it’s a smart choice to reach out to a lawyer. A traumatic brain injury can have life-changing consequences, so seeking legal help is appropriate.
Why Work With Attorneys Who Handle TBI Cases If You’ve Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury?
There are four main reasons to call attorneys who handle TBI cases right away if you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury. These include the fact that:
- Brain injuries can change your life significantly, even if they’re mild
- Making a TBI claim with an insurance company may require significant medical knowledge and experience
- Insurance companies may try to take advantage of you as an unrepresented victim
- Damages may be harder to establish than you think
Let’s go over each of these issues and why an attorney can help.
Brain Injuries Can Change Your Life
To start with, your life may be very different after a brain injury. You may struggle with symptoms such as weakness, trouble with your memory or speech difficulties. These things can make it harder for you to communicate with an insurance agent.
Your attorney will be there to help you show how your brain injury has impacted you and be the one to negotiate with the insurance company (or represent you at trial). Your attorney will help you prove symptoms and effects such as:
- Tinnitus
- Personality changes
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Vertigo or other balance issues
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Trouble with your memory, attention or concentration
With your attorney’s help, evidence of your injury’s severity can be put together in a way that makes it easier for your claim to be approved for a fair amount of compensation.
TBI Claims Require Expert Knowledge
Since every traumatic brain injury is different, it is essential that you get opinions and information from multiple professionals across various specialties. Your attorney will be able to talk to your doctors, experts in neurobiology and others who can help establish the severity of your diagnosis and provide information that supports your case.
Having expert testimony and information from those who specialize in TBIs will also encourage the insurance company to settle fairly. Knowing that you have a good idea of how this injury is going to affect you in the short- and long-term, the insurance company is less likely to offer a low settlement. Additionally, if you end up having to go to court with your claim, these experts may speak on your behalf and provide the jury and judge with much-needed information to decide on an award.
You Don’t Want to Be Taken Advantage Of
Another reason you should call your attorney immediately after an injury is because insurance companies will do what they can to minimize what they pay out. That means that they may attempt to take advantage of you. Without representation, you don’t have anyone fighting for you. While you’d hope that your insurance company would pay out the benefits you deserve, the sad reality is that they want to minimize how much they pay.
If you accept a settlement without consulting your attorney, you’ll lose the ability to seek more. Speak with your attorney before you speak with your insurance company or the other party’s insurance company. Knowing that you’re represented will again encourage the insurance company to settle fairly and avoid a trial.
You Need Help Establishing Damages
The last thing to consider is that you don’t necessarily know how much money you’re going to need. Damages are more than just lost wages or medical bills. Your attorney will help you build a case to seek compensation for:
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Occupational therapy
- Rehabilitative services
- Lost income
- Lost earning potential
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Punitive damages, if the other party intentionally harmed you or was grossly negligent
There is no easy way to put a number on what you’ve been through or the costs that you face, so your attorney will get help from experts across various fields, such as nurses or specialists. They will help fight for the amount of compensation that you need to live comfortably as you adapt to this injury and go through recovery.
It’s important to call and attorney as soon as possible after suffering a traumatic brain injury. Your attorney will start playing a role in your case right away and be there to provide you with information and support.
Get Help with Your TBI Case
Attorneys who handle TBI cases are available and waiting for you to reach out to them. They are there to support you and know that you’re going through a very difficult time in your life. Using the right strategies and technology, they can help you build a better case and seek a high amount of compensation for everything you’ve gone through.
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