Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most serious injuries that can occur in car accidents. These injuries could result in paralysis, loss of cognitive functioning, personality changes, reoccurring nausea and headaches, sleeplessness, and other life-altering effects. If you suffered a TBI in a car crash, it may be in your best interest to discuss your eligibility for compensation with a St. Petersburg TBI and car accidents lawyer.
With help from a skilled car wreck attorney, you could work toward a fair compensation for the damages you have suffered. Local attorneys could help you navigate the complex legal system and build a strong case to help you achieve a favorable outcome.
Recoverable Damages in TBI Cases
A person with a TBI could collect compensation from an at-fault driver for a variety of damages. The three main categories of damages include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
What Are Economic Damages for Brain Injuries After a St. Petersburg Car Accident?
The most easily calculated type of damages is called “economic damages.” In St. Petersburg TBI and car accident cases, these could include items like medical costs, the value of replacing or repairing the injured person’s vehicle, and wages lost as a result of the TBI. Since TBIs could involve long-term or permanent disability, compensation for lost wages can be significant, depending on the case.
Non-Economic Damages
The less objective type of damages, non-economic damages, typically includes items that do not have clear values. In TBI cases, these could include the injured person’s pain and level of suffering, the difficulty of living with impaired brain function, loss of enjoyment in life, loss of ability to engage in hobbies, loss of consortium with a spouse, and more.
Are Punitive Damages Available to Car Crash TBI Victims?
This type of damage is used in rare cases that involve deliberate or especially dangerous negligence. The purpose of these damages is to punish the defendant for their behavior and offer the plaintiff additional compensation. Florida Statutes §768.73 limits punitive damages to either three times the amount of economic and non-economic compensation or $500,000 (whichever is the greater amount).
Personal injury attorneys in St. Petersburg who are familiar with TBI and car crash cases could help claimants catalog their damages. Seasoned lawyers could also enlist the aid of expert witnesses who could argue for fairer values to be assigned to the injured person’s non-economic damages.
Medical Treatments Necessary for TBIs
Depending on the severity of the injury, a traumatic brain injury could require many kinds of medical care. These could include:
- Simple bed rest
- Treatment for hormonal imbalances
- Pain relief
- Use of a breathing machine
- Stabilization of the spinal column
- Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring
- Cognitive rehabilitation therapy
- Brain surgery
For TBIs that are more severe and require intensive therapy, the medical treatments could be costly. A person who was injured in a car accident that was the fault of another driver may not need to bear the burden of costly medical care and the pain and anguish of recovering their full mental capacity.
A skilled car accident lawyer could help individuals suffering from TBIs build a powerful claim for compensation to pay for their medical treatment and other expenses.
Talk to a St. Petersburg TBI and Car Collision Attorney
Contact a St. Petersburg attorney as soon as possible if you suffered a TBI in a car collision. Since Florida law sets the statute of limitations for St. Petersburg TBI and car accident claims at four years after the date of the initial accident, waiting more than four years to file a claim can result in the loss of your right to recover compensation for your injuries.
If you suffered a TBI in a car accident, contact a dedicated personal injury lawyer today. They could begin collecting and preserving the evidence necessary to show the negligence of the other driver and build a strong case for compensation. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more likely your case could result in higher compensation for you and your family.
