Do car accident settlements adequately compensate head trauma?

 Posted on February 22, 2016 in Car Accidents

If you survived a crash with no broken bones, you might have good reason to consider yourself lucky. However, other injuries may be less visible, but potentially just as intrusive. Specifically, about one in five cases of traumatic brain injuries are caused by a motor vehicle accident. Another 28 percent of TBI injuries are caused by a slip and fall incident.

Although a diagnosis of mild TBI may not seem to implicate long-term consequences, a recent study found otherwise. Specifically, up to 70 percent of TBI patients may suffer from sleep disturbances. Other symptoms may include cognitive or motor impairments, as well as emotional problems. Taken together, these impairments may be quite disruptive, interfering with an individual's ability to work and diminishing his or her quality of life.

Unfortunately, many crash victims might lack the foresight to adequately request damages from a negligent motorist. The offending driver's insurance company may attempt to quickly resolve an incident of unsafe driving by making a settlement offer. Although a quick resolution may seem attractive, especially as medical bills, lost wages and other costs begin to mount, a personal injury law firm that focuses on motor vehicle accidents may recommend a longer-term perspective. 

Our attorneys have experience negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of victims who were injured by another driver's negligence. Our familiarity with personal injury litigation helps us to properly assess the physical and financial impact that a crash victim may be facing. Of course, we can also help with the liability portion of a car accident case, interweaving a strong presentation of evidence and testimony that should help jurors decide who was at fault in an accident.

Source: Dove Press, "Traumatic brain injury-induced sleep disorders," Mari Viola-Saltzman and Camelia Musleh, Feb. 15, 2016