If you hit your head during a car crash, you may sustain a traumatic brain injury. TBIs range from mild injuries such as concussions to catastrophic head injuries. Some brain injuries present symptoms hours, days, or even a few weeks afterward. TBIs can disrupt your physical health, your emotional well-being, and your career.
If you suffered a serious brain injury after a car accident in San Mateo and someone else was at fault, you may have a right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. Brain injury cases require extensive medical documentation and can be challenging to pursue, particularly when you’re recovering from a TBI. You need a knowledgeable traumatic brain injury lawyer to guide you through the legal process and help you claim compensation.
The team at Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP, has extensive experience helping clients pursue brain injury compensation in California. We understand the challenges you face, and we know what it takes to build a winning claim. Contact us today at (650) 367-6811 to learn more in a consultation with a San Mateo car accident lawyer.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden impact disrupts normal brain function. In car accidents, this injury often occurs due to rapid back-and-forth movement, a violent blow to the head, or a penetrating injury.
Even without a skull fracture or visible head injury, your brain can move inside your skull during a crash, causing bruising, bleeding, and blood clots. Doctors classify TBIs along a spectrum that ranges from a mild injury to a severe, life-threatening one.
Many people assume that only severe crashes cause brain injuries. In reality, even a low-speed collision can result in a mild traumatic brain injury that carries significant consequences. You should always take any blow to the head seriously and seek medical care, regardless of how minor the accident seems.
Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI symptoms experienced by brain injury victims vary widely depending on the severity and location of the injury. Some of the most common symptoms our San Mateo TBI lawyers see in traumatic brain injury cases include:
- Persistent headaches
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Memory loss or confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Fatigue or sleep disturbances
Some people disregard the symptoms initially. Unfortunately, this tendency leads to frequent misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. It’s important to have a doctor perform a medical evaluation after a car crash or any traumatic event. A trained healthcare provider may recognize TBI symptoms before they are apparent to you.
What to Do After Suffering a Head Injury in a San Mateo Car Accident
Pursuing a TBI claim after a California car accident requires prompt action. If you are able, you should take the following steps to protect your rights:
- Report the motor vehicle accident to the police and obtain a copy of the accident report
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and your visible injuries
- See a doctor as soon as possible and follow their treatment plan for physical therapy and ongoing medical care
- Keep a record of your symptoms, including headaches, memory issues, and emotional changes
- Seek legal advice before speaking with the insurer representing the at-fault driver
- Contact an experienced head injury lawyer in California
Common Causes of TBIs in San Mateo Car Accidents
Car crashes are among the most common causes of brain injuries. Some of the most common reasons for a brain injury from a car accident in San Mateo include:
- Rear-end collisions that cause the head to be tossed back and forth
- Head-on collisions that generate great force upon impact
- Side impact crashes that expose vehicle occupants to direct impacts
- Rollover accidents that toss the vehicle occupant around violently
- Airbag deployment injuries in high-speed crashes
Many devastating auto accidents result from someone else’s negligence. Our dedicated traumatic brain injury lawyers will fight to hold the negligent driver accountable and seek the traumatic brain injury settlement you need to rebuild your life.
Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A TBI can affect nearly every aspect of a victim’s life. While some people make full recoveries, many experience long-term effects or permanent neurological disorders.
Long-term effects can include:
- Chronic headaches and physical pain
- Cognitive impairment and memory loss
- Reduced ability to work or maintain employment
- Personality changes and emotional instability
- Increased risk of depression or anxiety
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
A severe traumatic brain injury can limit your ability to work and require lifelong medical care. Our legal team carefully assesses the full impact of your injuries on your daily life and finances when determining the appropriate compensation to pursue on your behalf.
Why TBI Cases Require Experienced Legal Representation
Recovering brain compensation in California can be challenging. Insurance companies often dispute these cases due to the lack of visible injuries. You need experienced legal representation to have the best chance of a favorable outcome in your personal injury case.
An experienced head injury lawyer in California can:
- Work with medical experts to establish a clear diagnosis
- Gather detailed evidence that supports your claim
- Challenge insurance company tactics that aim to minimize your injuries
- Calculate the full value of your claim, including future lost wages and medical bills
If you do not have experienced legal representation, the insurance company may deny your claim or offer a low settlement that fails to reflect the financial impact of your injury.
How TBIs Impact the Value of a Car Accident Case
A traumatic brain injury can have a significant impact on the value of a car accident claim. TBIs are serious injuries that often involve long-term consequences that affect multiple areas of a victim’s life.
Several factors influence case values:
- Severity of the injury
- Duration of symptoms
- Impact on your ability to work
- Cost of medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Emotional and psychological effects
- Need for ongoing care
Insurance companies frequently attempt to downplay these factors. Our legal team pushes back by building evidence-based cases that prove the harm caused by another’s negligence.
How Do You Prove a Traumatic Brain Injury Claim?
If you want to recover maximum compensation, you need clear and convincing proof that the actions of the at-fault party caused you harm. Our attorneys act quickly to gather that proof before it’s lost, altered, or overwritten.
Key evidence can include:
- Medical records and diagnostic imaging
- Neurologist evaluations
- Neuropsychological testing results
- Personal injury journals
- Testimony from family and loved ones
- Opinions of life care planners and therapists
- Witness testimony and police reports from the crash
- Financial documents showing measurable losses
The evidence our San Mateo car accident attorneys gather tells the story of your injury: how it happened, who caused it, what it has cost you, and how it has impacted your everyday life. Your lawyer will launch an immediate investigation into the accident to identify and obtain this critical proof.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a TBI?
A successful TBI claim can cover the physical, emotional, and financial losses caused by the at-fault party. Depending on the nature of your case, compensation may include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
Insurance companies often pressure car accident victims into accepting quick settlements before they understand the full impact of their injuries on their finances. You should never accept an insurance company settlement offer without seeking advice from an experienced San Mateo TBI lawyer.
How Long Do You Have to File a Brain Injury Claim in California?
California law limits the amount of time you have to file a brain injury lawsuit. In most cases, you have two (2) years from the date of the accident to file. Missing the deadline can forfeit your right to recover compensation.
Prompt legal action allows your attorney the time needed to build the strongest case possible.
How Our San Mateo Brain Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident
If someone else’s careless actions caused you to suffer a traumatic brain injury, you need comprehensive legal support from an experienced personal injury law firm.
The team at Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP, can help by:
- Reviewing your case for free and discussing your legal options
- Investigating the accident to identify all liable parties
- Working with your healthcare providers to document your injuries
- Gathering evidence before it disappears
- Calculating the full value of your claim
- Identifying all insurance policies available to cover your claim
- Handling all insurer communications
- Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement
- Representing you in court, if necessary
Our law firm handles brain injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing in upfront legal fees. You only pay a fee if we recover compensation for you through a negotiated settlement or court award.
