Approximately 34 million people worldwide suffer from traumatic brain injuries from car accidents each year. Thousands of those victims live in Wisconsin. The most seriously injured are left with permanent disabilities and chronic complications that interfere with their daily lives.
The brain is the most vital organ in the human body. Any disruption to its normal functioning can impair everything from memory and mobility to emotions and personality. If this happened to you or a loved one, you have legal options. Wisconsin law allows accident victims to seek compensation for their financial and personal losses when another party causes a crash.
Obtaining full and fair compensation is especially crucial after a TBI, where the recovery process is long and uncertain. With top-quality legal representation from LawtonCates, you can feel confident you won’t settle for less than you deserve. Contact an experienced brain injury attorney from our firm today for a free consultation.
Why You Need a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer After a Car Accident in Wisconsin
Traumatic brain injuries range from mild to catastrophic injuries. Recovering maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses is critical to ensure you have the financial resources necessary as you recover.
However, recovering from a brain injury takes years, especially for those with the most serious injuries. Compensation should also include money for expected future expenses, which can be difficult to estimate without the help of a skilled personal injury attorney.
Additionally, many traumatic brain injury cases tend to be high-dollar claims. Most insurance companies dispute car accident claims involving TBIs to avoid paying expensive settlements. A Wisconsin brain injury lawyer can place a fair value on your case and negotiate with the insurer for the appropriate compensation to meet your needs. A fair settlement can help you avoid financial hardships later if you experience complications and your health needs change.
Your Legal Rights After a TBI
In Wisconsin, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for your traumatic brain injury from whoever caused the collision. Typically, accident victims begin by filing an insurance claim against the at-fault party. To recover compensation, you must prove the other driver or another responsible party caused the car accident through their negligent actions. For example, if the other driver was texting behind the wheel, that would make them negligent and likely liable for your injuries.
Most personal injury cases settle. But if settlement negotiations fail, you can file a brain injury lawsuit and take your case to trial. You only have a limited time to sue. Wisconsin law says you must file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of when you sustained your traumatic brain injury. Consulting a traumatic brain injury lawyer in Wisconsin gives you the best chance of recovering the money you need to rebuild your life.
Types of Compensation for a Brain Injury After a Car Crash
The money you receive in a car accident claim can include compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
- Lost income
- Lost earning potential
- Accident-related assistance for long-term nursing services, medical equipment, and home renovations to accommodate a new disability
- Pain and suffering
In Wisconsin, you can recover compensation after a car accident even if you are partly at fault. However, your money will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head injuries are first classified based on whether they are open or closed injuries.
- An open or penetrating injury happens when an object pierces the skull and damages brain tissues.
- Closed brain injuries occur when a blow, jolt, or shaking of the head causes injury but does not break the skull.
Common types of TBIs include:
- Concussion
- Contusion
- Diffuse axonal injury
- Hematoma
- Coup-contrecoup
Severe traumatic brain injuries may require surgery to remove debris, relieve bleeding, and alleviate pressure in the skull. The cost of medical treatment and rehabilitation can reach millions of dollars over a victim’s lifetime, making the need for maximum compensation essential after a car crash. A Wisconsin brain injury attorney from LawtonCates can gather evidence and expert testimony to place an estimated value on your case and fight for every penny.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Car Accidents
There are many ways that the force of a car crash or parts of a car itself can cause a traumatic brain injury, such as:
- Direct contact with a hard surface, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or window
- Whiplash
- Flying debris
- Ejection from the vehicle
- Airbag deployment
TBI Signs and Symptoms
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for minimizing long-term health problems from a traumatic brain injury. Common signs and symptoms of TBIs include:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Confusion or disorientation
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Weakness or numbness in limbs
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of these symptoms after a car accident. Keep in mind that mild traumatic brain injuries can have a delayed onset, meaning that signs of the injury may not manifest for hours, days, or weeks after the auto accident.
Diagnosing a TBI
Doctors have several methods for diagnosing traumatic brain injuries. CT scans and MRIs can create images of the brain inside the skull and show any damage the victim sustained. Other methods, such as the Glasgow Coma Scale, evaluate a patient’s consciousness after a head injury. If you suspect you have a traumatic brain injury after a car accident, call your doctor immediately so they can evaluate your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
Contact a Wisconsin Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today
At LawtonCates, we provide compassionate legal help for brain injury victims in South Central Wisconsin. Since 1958, our law firm has successfully obtained millions of dollars in compensation for car accident victims and brain injury survivors. We understand that no TBIs are alike and tailor our services to the unique needs of every client. Call our contact us now to schedule a free case review with one of our car accident attorneys.