After you hit your head in a car accident, you should do everything possible to protect your health and strive for a financial recovery. With these goals in mind, two steps you should take are: getting medical attention, as you may have a brain injury; and hiring a Spring Hill car accident lawyer.
Anytime you suffer a possible injury, seeing a doctor must be your first priority. You must also make sure you can pay for the doctor—and that’s why you should hire a car accident attorney to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Take Care of Your Health First After Hitting Your Head in a Car Accident
Some symptoms of traumatic brain injuries can take weeks to emerge. Even if you received medical observation or care at your accident scene, you should see a qualified doctor because:
- Undiagnosed brain injuries can be fatal
- If you don’t care properly for a brain injury, you may cause long-term or even permanent symptoms
- If you did not suffer a brain injury, a doctor can explain as much
- You may avoid unnecessary stress and worry by receiving a comprehensive evaluation and precise diagnoses of accident-related injuries
You must also establish a documented connection between your car accident and all resulting injuries, including any skull and brain injuries. Seeing a doctor will provide such documentation.
Let Your Car Accident Lawyer Worry About the Cost of Your Medical Care
Too many auto accident victims delay or avoid medical treatment for financial reasons. Keep in mind, if you have any concerns about the cost of care, you can hire an attorney to seek compensation covering your healthcare expenses.
Even “minor” brain injuries can cause long-term health problems and may even be fatal in some cases. Get the care you need and let a proven, determined attorney fight for compensation covering that care.
Second, Hire a Car Accident Attorney to Demand the Compensation You Deserve
You may hire your car accident lawyer:
- If you have an opportunity before seeking medical treatment
- As you undergo treatment (there can be downtime and gaps between appointments, and you should not delay hiring your lawyer unless you have to)
- After you have received all urgent medical attention and have the time to speak with prospective law firms
The key point is to hire your car accident attorney as soon as you can. You can find personal injury law firms in your area online, and you should look for law firms with:
- Online reviews revealing the firms’ strengths and alert you to any weaknesses
- Case results, and pay specific attention to the value of the firm’s recoveries and whether the firm has won car accident cases at trial
- Messaging, as some law firms’ accolades and values may resonate with you more so than others
- Location, to keep things manageable, you should hire a law firm that is as near to you or your work as possible
You can find a pool of qualified law firms by weighing these criteria. You can also use your instincts and unique preferences to choose the firm to lead your car accident case.
Car Accident Victims Don’t Always Feel the Immediate Impact of a Head Injury
Never brush off a car accident as minor, especially if you hit your head. Bumps and jolts to the head are two of the most common causes of brain injuries, and you should:
- Assume you suffered an injury until you are certain you have not
- Assume that the cost of medical care, lost income, and other damages will be high
- Recognize your need to prioritize health and recovery, and hire a lawyer who can capably handle your insurance claim or lawsuit
If you assume you aren’t seriously injured, you can fail to take critical steps (like hiring a lawyer) that might otherwise lead to a fair financial recovery. There is no downside in retaining representation after a head on car collision—whatever your circumstances and losses are, your lawyer will fight for the money you deserve.
How Car Accident Lawyers Get Compensation for Clients with Head Injuries
When you choose your lawyer, they will gather all relevant information about your accident and related case. They will:
- Obtain and record your account of the accident
- Secure and review any police report from the accident
- Interview witnesses (and review existing witness accounts)
- Obtain and review all relevant evidence
- Review all insurance policies that may apply to your losses
After they have complete information, your lawyer will explain how they can seek compensation for your losses (with your lawyer leading the way). Three common ways that car accident victims secure compensation are:
- Filing a claim with their insurance provider: You may file a claim with your auto insurance provider if you are in a no-fault insurance state. You may also file such a claim if the motorist who caused your accident was uninsured or underinsured.
- Filing a claim with another person or organization’s insurance provider: If you did not cause your accident, there is a significant chance you will file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurer. Employers’ insurance providers may also be liable if an employee causes an accident.
- Suing liable parties: Filing a lawsuit is not always the first course of action for car accident victims, but it is an option. Your car accident lawyer will help you determine if suing is the right decision. Often, car accident victims will initially file an insurance claim and then file a lawsuit if insurers refuse to offer a fair settlement.
Most car accident cases lead to a settlement, but each case takes a different path to that conclusion—while some lead to court and jury verdicts. A lawyer will provide an initial case plan, and they will adjust their plan as necessary. You will be informed about, and confident in, every plan and update related to your case.
Steps to Expect in Your Car Accident Case (Your Lawyer Will Handle Each of Them)
Your lawyer will lead every step of any insurance claims or lawsuit filed in your name. That said, you may benefit from knowing what steps can lie ahead, as this may help you understand your case’s progress.
Some of the common procedures in car accident cases include:
Detailing the Accident with Evidence and Witness Accounts
Winning a car accident case starts with determining what happened. Your lawyer may do this by gathering and evaluating:
- Testimony from witnesses to your accident
- Video footage, which can come from traffic cameras, dashboard cameras, and other sources
- Any police report related to your collision
- Your account of the collision
- Photograph of the scene, as well as damage to vehicles
- Any other testimony or evidence that helps explain how and why the collision occurred
Your attorney may even work with one or more experts, and they may reconstruct the collision and help prove fault for your damages.
Securing All Proof of Your Accident-Related Damages
Car accident victims who hit their heads often face both economic and non-economic damages. Your lawyer will need proof of those damages, which may include:
- Photographs, X-rays, CT scans, and other images of your injuries (including any skull and brain injuries)
- Doctors’ records detailing your injuries, symptoms, injury causes, and treatment plans
- Bills from all accident-related medical services (as well as any medications, medical equipment, and other items related to your injuries)
- Invoices for a rental vehicle, ridesharing services, and vehicle repairs
- Bank statements and employment records illustrating professional harm
- Your account of accident-related pain and suffering (including any pain and traumatic brain injury symptoms from hitting your head)
- A mental health expert’s evaluation of mood changes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep problems, and other forms of pain and suffering
By securing objective documentation of your damages, your lawyer will enter settlement negotiations on solid ground.
Ensuring Insurance Companies Process Your Claims Promptly
You should not have to endure a claims process that drags on. Your lawyer will remain in frequent contact with insurance representatives, urging them to move toward a settlement offer.
Your attorney will promptly provide all information the insurance companies need from you—statements about the accident, documentation of medical care, and any other necessary documentation. This way, the insurance companies will have no excuse to delay.
Determining How Much Money You Deserve (a Fair Settlement Value)
As your lawyer evaluates your accident-related losses, they will determine the value of each of those losses. Your car accident attorney’s financial demands to insurance companies will reflect:
- Pain and suffering you endured during the accident
- Medical care you’ve received
- Medical treatment (and possibly rehabilitation) you’ll need in the future
- All other current and future harm caused by at-fault parties’ negligence
Every damage has a cost. Your lawyer will calculate the collective value of your damages and demand equivalent compensation from insurance companies.
Negotiating a Financial Settlement for You
Your attorney will respond appropriately to the insurance company’s initial response to your claim, which may include:
- Denying your claim outright
- Refusing to cover certain losses
- Undervaluing your losses
Each of the above outcomes means the insurance company has offered less money than you deserve. In this case, your attorney will:
- Identify the specific reason why the insurance company undervalued (or denied) your claim
- Gather and present any documentation, evidence, or arguments that address the reason for a lowball offer
- Present their settlement demands to insurance companies
The term “lawyer” also means “negotiator.” Whenever they represent car accident victims, experienced lawyers prepare for a vigorous negotiation with one or more insurance providers.
Guiding You Through the Legal Process, Should You File a Lawsuit or Go to Court
Filing a lawsuit is sometimes the right decision for a car accident victim. This option will be on the table for you and your lawyer. Together, you can decide whether suing one or more parties is the proper decision.
If you do choose to sue, your attorney will:
- Identify those who should be defendants in the lawsuit
- Draft and file the lawsuit in the appropriate venue before the statute of limitations expires
- Complete all pre-trial proceedings, including discovery
- Help you decide whether to go to trial or accept a settlement offer before trial is set to begin
Your lawyer will compose a one-of-a-kind strategy specific to you. They will make all necessary adjustments to that strategy, updating you when the direction of your case changes or moves forward.
Damages That Can Occur Because of Car Accidents (Particularly If You’ve Hit Your Head)
Every type of evidence your lawyer gathers, every form of documentation they collect, and every argument they compose will be for the same purpose: To secure the money you are entitled to.
Obtaining fair compensation for your damages is the metric by which you’ll judge your lawyer, and you should expect them to seek money for:
Pain and Suffering
This category of damages can include:
- Physical pain
- Depression
- Anxiety (which may include a fear of being in a motor vehicle or near a roadway)
- PTSD
Lost quality of life, scarring, sleep problems, and many other forms of pain and suffering can emerge after a car accident. Your lawyer will reflect such losses in your case, and they will also consider the cost of any mental health services you require.
Healthcare and Rehabilitation Costs
Car accident lawyers fight for compensation covering all of their client’s medical needs. If you need rehabilitation, medical equipment, medications, or any other health-related resources, your attorney will demand fair compensation from insurers.
Property Expenses
Common property-related expenses among car accident victims include:
- Vehicle repairs
- The replacement cost of a totaled vehicle
- Ridesharing, rental vehicles, and other types of temporary transportation
If you face any other expenses because of damaged property, your case will include those costs.
Professional Losses
Lost income, diminished earning power, the stalling of career progress, lost benefits, and other professional damages may be part of your car accident case.
Never Worry About the Financial Expense of a Car Accident Attorney, Call Today
Car accident lawyers cover their clients’ case costs. Your Spring Hill personal injury attorney must earn their fee, as they will receive a percentage of any verdict or settlement they obtain for you. In other words, there is no financial barrier between you and a lawyer’s services, so don’t wait to locate your car accident attorney today.
James Wayne Holliday
James Wayne Holliday has been practicing law since 1995. He has been named as a “Best Attorney” Lifetime Charter Member in Florida, an honor awarded to less than one percent of the nation’s lawyers.
Mr. Holliday has earned a reputation as a relentless trial lawyer because of his outstanding work ethic and thorough preparation of his cases for trial.
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