Traumatic Brain Injuries In Florida Accidents
Some of the most dangerous and potentially life-changing injuries that one can sustain in an auto accident involve the brain. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affect thousands every year, and can lead to a host of complications that range from mood changes to physical weakness to neurological disorders. If you or a loved one has sustained a TBI in a traffic crash, seeking the compensation you deserve is doubly important, to keep your family afloat while the injured person has a chance to heal.
Frequency & Causes
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that in 2014, there were almost 3 million emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths related to traumatic brain injuries and their complications. It is estimated that roughly 57,000 deaths were caused at least in part by TBIs, including around 3,000 children. TBIs are also one of the conditions most likely to cause lifelong changes even after the initial period of recovery. One underestimates the severity of a TBI at their peril.
While one can sustain a TBI in several different ways, auto accidents are one of the most common methods, along with falls. Motor vehicle crashes were responsible for the second highest number of TBI-related hospitalizations, with the statistics being even further skewed in younger age groups. Drivers under the age of 35 tend to routinely drive faster than their elder counterparts, and as such, the number of TBIs sustained in that age group is generally higher.
If You Are Injured
Cases involving TBIs are often extremely complex, and if you suspect that you or a loved one has sustained one due to another person’s negligence, it is crucial to seek medical treatment immediately, if you have not already. Most often, establishing the presence of a TBI requires medical expert testimony, and if you do not seek medical treatment, an expert witness has no records on which to base their opinion.
It is important to keep in mind that your own negligence does not bar recovery in most cases; many people choose not to bring personal injury lawsuits in these types of cases because they fear that they will be judged to have caused their own injuries. In Florida, any negligence on the part of the plaintiff will diminish your recovery, but it does not totally bar it – in other words, if the judge or jury finds you to have been 40 percent responsible for your own injuries, you would still be able to recover 60 percent of your expenses.
Call An Orlando Auto Accident Lawyer
Even the most “mild” traumatic brain injury is still an extremely serious injury, and should be evaluated immediately. If you have questions or concerns about receiving compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, calling an attorney with experience in these cases is a good idea. The Orlando car accident lawyers at the Hornsby Law Group are happy to try and assist you. Call us today for a free consultation.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html
https://www.hornsbylawgroup.com/traumatic-brain-injuries-personal-injury-cases/
