When you’re involved in a car accident, you may suffer any number of injuries. While some are easy to detect, others may not present right away but have a significant impact on your life. A traumatic brain injury (TBI), for instance, is not always easy to identify, but it can seriously affect your quality of life. In some cases, a TBI can leave a car crash victim permanently disabled, unable to return to work, or unable to live independently.
Understanding TBIs
A TBI is an injury that affects how the brain works. A TBI can be caused by:
- Sudden bumps, blows, or jolts to the head
- Penetrative injuries
Some TBIs are mild. Concussions, for instance, are common after car accidents. While a concussion can interfere with your ability to think, concentrate, and control your emotions, most people who suffer concussions recover on their own within a matter of months. However, other TBIs can be categorized as moderate or severe, and both types may have long-term consequences.
The Long-Term Effects of a TBI
Even people who suffer mild TBIs can have symptoms that take years to resolve.
While TBIs are complex and can affect different people in different ways, common long-term symptoms include:
- Sleep problems
- Sensory changes such as loss of smell or taste
- Behavioral changes
- Cognitive deficits and disabilities that can affect a person’s ability to think, concentrate, and focus
In some cases, TBIs can lead to the loss of motor control and regular bodily functions. Serious injuries may spur the development of disorders such as epilepsy. If a TBI is not treated or is very severe, it may be fatal.
The Long-Term Financial Impact of a TBI
Any TBI has the potential to cause financial ruin. Even if you suffer a mild concussion, you may need to take time off work. Without a salary coming in, you may not have the money to pay for expensive medical treatment. And if you’re unable to resume working, you may never retain the same standard of living you had before the accident.
Moderate to severe brain injuries may require long-term or lifelong care, and getting the right medical treatment can cost a staggering amount of money. In fact, the average cost of treating a TBI is estimated between $80,000 to more than $3,000,0000. While your treatment will be defined by your health care provider, it may include expensive necessities such as surgery, cognitive therapy, and general counseling.
Why You Need to Contact a Car Crash Attorney
In some rare and unfortunate cases, a TBI may not be treatable, leaving a car crash victim dependent on other people to help them with routine tasks and activities. And while they may be able to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim, the insurance company is not likely to offer them enough money to take care of their long-term needs. Often, insurance companies make a low-ball offer that will barely cover their initial hospital bills.
An experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer can help you collect the evidence you need to stand up to the insurance company and get a fair settlement—one that not only pays your bills but helps you support yourself for as long as you need treatment.
Contact Us Today
Beck & Beck Car Accident Lawyers is the only law firm in the state of Missouri that focuses solely and exclusively on automobile accidents. Since we only work with car crash victims, we know how to advocate for our clients, whether we are negotiating with an insurance company for a fair settlement or taking a reckless motorist to court.
Since we operate on a contingency basis, you do not have to pay anything out of pocket for your legal representation. We only get paid when you win your case. To schedule your free consultation, send us a message online today.
Some of the locations our legal team serves includes St. Louis, Florissant, Kansas City, Kirkwood, and more.
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