
Car accident head injuries may be categorized and diagnosed differently than other wounds; however, all carry the risk of life-altering brain damage. No one should have to experience severe injuries due to someone else’s negligence, though finding the right lawyer is vital if it does happen.
If you or a loved one suffered a head injury in Central Florida, you could be entitled to compensation for medical treatment costs, pain and suffering, and other profound losses. Our experienced Orlando car accident lawyer could manage your case from start to finish and help bring the responsible parties to justice.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Causes of Severe Accidents That Result in Head Trauma
Motor vehicle accidents frequently happen under various circumstances, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that accidents almost always (over 90% of the time) result from driver error. The following are some of the driver-related reasons that your accident may have happened:
Distracted Driving
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) explains that distracted driving is broadly considered illegal and a factor in many auto accidents.
Drivers can be considered negligent when their inattention causes them to drive into another car, truck, pedestrian, or motorcycle rider.
For instance, the motor vehicle operator may be distracted by the following:
- Their cell phone, which they might use to text or for other purposes
- Another accident (“rubbernecking”)
- Their passengers
- Eating or drinking a beverage
- Attempting to pick up a dropped item while driving
- Adjusting the vehicle’s entertainment system
- A pet inside the vehicle
- The scenery outside
- A navigation device
In a legal sense, the fact that a driver was distracted could mean they were negligent and caused the accident.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving may refer to several acts, each of which may pose a risk to the driver and others. For example, a driver might be considered aggressive if they were:
- Speeding before or at the time of the accident.
- Driving closely behind your vehicle, causing a rear-end collision.
- Changing lanes in front of you when there was not enough room to safely do so.
- Weaving in and out of lanes in a way that ultimately led to your crash.
- Engaging in any behavior outside the norms of cautious driving.
Aggressive drivers can impact others in more than one way: they might be directly involved in an accident or make other motorists nervous, leading to a crash.
Driving Under the Influence
The at-fault driver could have been impaired by drugs or alcohol. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), impairment can cause:
- Poor concentration.
- Slower reaction times.
- Decreased coordination.
- Poor judgment.
Impairment is inconsistent with safe driving and may be the primary factor in the crash that harmed you or your loved one. Even being sleep deprived or in an emotionally compromised state can be considered a form of impairment.
Whatever the circumstances that caused your accident, an Orlando head injury attorney can help bring them to light as they pursue financial compensation in your case.
The Effects of a Serious Head Injury
Open-head injuries occur when the skull is penetrated by an object, such as a piece of shrapnel, while closed-head injuries are caused by violent shaking or blunt force trauma.
The symptoms of an open or closed head injury may remain with you or your loved one for quite some time. The Mayo Clinic explains that trauma to the head could cause:
- Loss of consciousness.
- Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.
- Sensitivity to light and noise.
- Difficulty with speech and concentration.
- Loss of coordination and balance.
- Short or long-term memory loss.
- Severe cognitive impairment.
- Altered personality.
- Aggressive behavior.
- Emotional outbursts.
- Loss of feeling.
Types of Brain Injury
The above symptoms could be a sign of:
- Concussion.
- Anoxic brain injury.
- Hypoxic brain injury.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Some head injury symptoms could be temporary, while others may be permanent, requiring a lifetime of medical care. Whether you sustained a mild brain injury or something far more severe, a lawyer from our Orlando personal injury law firm may be able to get you the compensation you deserve.
A Head and Brain Injury Lawyer Will Fight for You While You Recover
A lawyer could work on your behalf while you relax and focus on more important things. A head injury attorney from our legal team could:
- Investigate the accident that caused you or a loved one to sustain head trauma.
- Record your account and witness accounts of the accident.
- Gather evidence and collaborate with accident reconstruction experts to show how the collision happened.
- Calculate the full extent of your losses.
- File an insurance claim or lawsuit naming those responsible for your losses.
- Ensure that your case is completed, which could mean negotiating an insurance settlement or completing a trial.
Your Orlando brain injury lawyer will protect your rights throughout the negotiation and litigation process.
Time Limit for Filing a Lawsuit
When it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit, there is a time limit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. In Florida, the statute of limitations for claims rooted in negligence is four years from the accident date.
If you fail to file your brain injury claim within this four-year window, you may be barred from getting compensation for your losses. Therefore, it is crucial to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible so that they can begin working on your case and file within the allowable timeframe.
Contact an Experienced Orlando Lawyer
An Orlando head and brain injury attorney can provide a free consultation and advise you on your next steps. They could also take on your case while you focus on recovering from your head injury or caring for your injured loved one.
Don’t let an insurance company pressure you into accepting less than your accident is worth. Instead, reach out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for a free case evaluation. We are committed to helping injured Floridians get fair compensation for their losses.
Call our Orlando office today, or fill out the online contact form.