Orlando Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents can have devastating consequences far beyond physical injuries. Head injuries, even seemingly mild ones, can significantly disrupt a person’s life, impacting their ability to work, relationships, and overall quality of life. If someone else’s negligence caused your car accident head injury in Orlando and Central Florida, you may be entitled to compensation. Compensation for a head injury in a car accident can be crucial to helping you cover the costs of your injury and rebuild your life.
What are the causes of car accident head injuries?
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, with head injuries being among the most serious and potentially life-altering. Here are the common mechanisms by which head injuries occur in car crashes:
- Direct Impact: When the head violently strikes a solid object within the vehicle – such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows – the force of the impact can cause the brain to move forcefully within the skull. This can lead to various brain injuries, including concussions, contusions, and diffuse axonal injuries.
- Projectile Objects: During a collision, loose items within the vehicle can become dangerous projectiles. Items such as phones, bags, or even fragments of the car itself can strike the head with considerable force, leading to lacerations, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries.
- Rapid Acceleration or Deceleration: Commonly known as whiplash, the sudden acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle can cause the head to snap forward and backward violently. This motion strains the neck and can cause the brain to collide with the inside of the skull, potentially leading to concussions, bruising, or tearing of brain tissue.
- Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents are exceptionally dangerous due to the unpredictable forces involved. As the vehicle rolls, occupants are thrown around, increasing the likelihood of severe head injuries, including skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries.
- Penetration Injuries: In high-impact crashes, debris like shattered glass or metal fragments can penetrate the skull and directly damage brain tissue. While less common, these injuries are often severe and can have devastating consequences.
Important considerations to prevent head injuries in car accidents:
- Seatbelt Use: Seatbelts are crucial in reducing the risk of head injuries by preventing occupants from being thrown around the vehicle or ejected.
- Check Airbag Functionality: Properly functioning airbags can cushion the head and neck during a collision, mitigating the severity of potential injuries.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Head injuries may not present immediate symptoms. Seeking prompt medical evaluation after any car accident is essential for diagnosing and treating potential injuries, even if seemingly minor.
Understanding the costs of a head injury from a car accident
Car accident head injuries carry a heavy burden that goes beyond immediate physical symptoms. They can leave lasting financial, physical, and emotional scars. Key areas where costs can quickly escalate include:
Medical Expenses:
- Emergency Care: Ambulance transport, emergency room visits, and potentially immediate surgeries or interventions.
- Hospitalizations: Extended hospital stays for monitoring, treatment, and critical care if the injury is severe.
- Ongoing Treatment and Therapies: This may encompass physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation to address the specific challenges caused by the brain injury.
- Medications: Prescriptions to manage pain, seizures, mood disorders, and other potential complications.
- Specialized Equipment: Mobility aids, in-home modifications, or assistive technology for those with long-term impairments.
Lost Wages:
- Current Income Reduction: Inability to work or reduced work hours while recovering from the initial injury.
- Future Earning Capacity: Permanent disabilities caused by the injury may prevent returning to your prior job or working to your full potential.
- Lost Opportunities: Brain injuries can derail career advancement or force a premature end to your working years.
Long-Term Care:
- In-Home Assistance: Help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and transportation.
- Assisted Living or Nursing Home: For those needing constant support, the high costs of these facilities can be devastating.
- Home Modifications: Making your home wheelchair-accessible or adding safety features for those with cognitive deficits can be expensive.
Pain and Suffering:
- Physical Discomfort: Chronic pain, lingering headaches, and physical limitations.
- Emotional Anguish: Depression, anxiety, personality changes, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common after brain injuries.
- Reduced Quality of Life: Loss of enjoyment in activities, strained relationships, and a diminished sense of self.
Property Damage:
- Vehicle Repairs: Depending on the accident’s severity, repair costs can be considerable.
- Replacement Vehicle: If your car is totaled, the cost of securing a new one can add to the financial strain.
The role of a personal injury attorney in a car accident head injury
Seeking compensation for a car accident head injury can be a complex process. An experienced car accident injury attorney can help in the following ways:
- Establishing Liability: Proving another driver’s fault is crucial for your claim. Your attorney will gather evidence, consult with experts, and build a strong case on your behalf.
- Determining the True Value of Your Claim: A head injury’s full impact may not be immediately clear. Your attorney will consider long-term implications and fight to secure compensation that covers the complete cost of your losses.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies frequently offer low settlements. A skilled attorney will aggressively negotiate for the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Fighting for Your Rights in Court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court.
How much compensation can I receive for a car accident head injury?
- The amount of compensation varies depending on the injury’s severity, its impact on your life, and the specific circumstances of your case.
What if I was partially at fault for the car accident?
- Florida follows a “comparative negligence” rule, meaning you may still recover compensation even if partially at fault, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Unfortunately, in 2023, Florida lawmakers made sweeping changes to many tort laws. These changes included comparative negligence. Therefore, it is important to consult with an expert car accident injury attorney to learn how these changes could affect your claim.
Should I accept a quick settlement offer from the insurance company?
- It’s wise to consult with an attorney before accepting any settlement. Early offers often undervalue the long-term consequences of a head injury.
Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
Our team of experienced expert car accident attorneys understands the devastating impact car accident head injuries can have. We are dedicated to helping car accident victims throughout Orlando and Central Florida pursue the compensation they rightfully deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury in a car accident, contact or call 407-955-5640 Todd Miner Law today for a free, confidential consultation. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on your recovery.
Disclaimer: This blog is informational and should not replace legal advice. Consult a car accident attorney to discuss your specific situation.
