Your world changed in an instant. One moment, you were driving as usual, and the next, a horrific car accident left you with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the grueling months since, fighting off debilitating symptoms has become your new normal as you struggle to rebuild your life.
Though the recovery journey has been long and arduous, don’t lose hope—there is light at the end of the tunnel. Your top priority must be focusing all your energy on healing. Follow your doctor’s advice diligently and get plenty of rest. Allow your body to mend without added stress.
Fortunately, you don’t have to face the complex legal issues alone. Leave that to the experts—your auto accident attorney has your back. In this article, we’ll provide insight into the process.
Collecting Proof at the Scene of a Car Accident
The police will be at the scene collecting evidence since the accident resulted in a TBI. Their detailed report can provide important information to help with any potential legal action, as a TBI patient may not be able to gather this themselves.
The police report will contain the officer’s documentation of the circumstances of the accident. It will likely include witness statements and the officer’s assessment of any traffic infractions or determinations of what may have caused the accident. Insurance companies and courts rely on the officer’s perspective, given their training and experience investigating accidents.
If able, a family member or friend should obtain a copy of the police report on behalf of the TBI patient. This will preserve crucial details like witness accounts and the officer’s assessment that could aid in determining liability during legal proceedings. While recovery from TBI is the priority, having the police report can help facilitate the legal process.
Additionally, if your vehicle has a dash camera, your support system will review any footage it captures. This may provide objective evidence of how the accident unfolded and who was at fault. Investing in one could help resolve insurance claims and legal issues more quickly.
We suggest you get legal help as soon as possible. This will help the process move smoothly, and also your focus can mainly be on your health.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Since you are recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in the accident, your lawyer will contact your auto insurance provider on your behalf. They will notify the provider and file any necessary claims.
Your attorney will give the insurance company vital information about the accident, such as the time and place. They will also provide details on the other cars and drivers involved, as well as how it transpired based on witness accounts or reports.
They will also share specific details with the insurer about your injuries and medical treatment needed as a result of the accident. This includes your diagnoses, care received so far from hospitals or physicians, and any anticipated future medical costs.
Your recovery may impact your long-term cognition and memory. Hence, having your lawyer handle interacting with insurance allows them to fully convey all necessary information to the company. Examples include the extent of lost wages or inability to work during treatment.
Your lawyer is best positioned to negotiate with the insurer on issues like determining fault and processing injury claims under your coverage. They can also resolve any payment disputes that could arise.
By facilitating communication between you as the policyholder and the insurance company, your legal representative helps ensure you receive all the protections and assistance your auto policy provides. This support is crucial during this challenging time.
Seek Guidance and Legal Assistance from an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer
As mentioned earlier, the sooner you engage a lawyer, the quicker you can commence the legal proceedings. You may have accumulated substantial medical expenses and been compelled to take time off work for recovery. Additionally, you might need to replace a vehicle due to extensive damage, all of which are unanticipated financial burdens. However, you need not confront these challenges alone.
A seasoned automobile accident attorney is readily available to guide you through every phase of the process.
Consider the situation in St. Louis as an illustration. As per TorHoerman Law, there has been a rise in fatal vehicular collisions in St. Louis, Missouri, over two years. The number climbed from 196 fatalities in 2015 to 228 fatalities in 2017. Additionally, in the year 2017, there were 1,380 reported instances of severe injuries resulting from automobile accidents within the city limits of St. Louis.
An additional troubling trend emerged in 2023, with 646 people hurt or harmed while walking or cycling in 533 documented crashes across both St. Louis City and County. Regrettably, the year 2023 became the deadliest on record for those on foot in St. Louis County.
In such instances, a local, experienced St. Louis auto accident lawyer can assist you in pursuing the justice you deserve. Having an experienced lawyer on your side can make all the difference in cases of severe injury such as traumatic brain injury. They are quite knowledgeable about the nuances of insurance claims as well as the pertinent laws.
With their expertise, individuals affected by accidents not of their making stand a better chance of receiving the compensation needed for their recovery. Their ultimate aim is to secure fair outcomes for clients amidst challenging legal battles.
Maintain Thorough Documentation
Due to the cognitive effects of your traumatic brain injury (TBI), it’s especially important to have a friend or family member present. They’ll help organize all paperwork and records related to your accident and ongoing recovery in one centralized location.
This file should contain the police report, medical records and invoices, vehicle repair estimates, photos from the scene, and any communication with insurers or other involved individuals. Keeping detailed records is critical for potential insurance claims or legal matters.
All parties will want to review objective information about what happened and the resulting damages or injuries. Being able to access relevant documentation easily can help strengthen your case if needed as your situation progresses. Staying organized from the outset makes it simpler to address matters as they arise. Documentation is key, given how a TBI can impact memory.
FAQs
1. Which three-pointers are crucial when submitting a claim on your auto insurance?
Compiling all pertinent data and supporting proof is essential when submitting an auto insurance claim following an accident. This contains police reports, witness contact details, and pictures from the location of the collision. Additionally, acquaint yourself with the procedure and have your insurance policy information at the ready when filing a claim. Finally, get in touch with your insurance provider as soon as possible and provide them with all the information they need on the incident.
2. What happens if neither driver admits fault?
Insurance companies may try to place the blame elsewhere in order to avoid having to pay claims when neither driver acknowledges culpability. At this point, having legal counsel is really beneficial. An attorney can take care of any correspondence with the insurance providers, protecting your rights and making sure you aren’t unfairly blamed.
3. What if my insurance company is blaming me for an accident?
If your insurance company is attributing fault to you for an accident, be prepared to defend your innocence. This may involve seeking legal recourse or working directly with your insurance company to dispute any claims against you. Engaging the services of a car accident attorney can be instrumental in such cases. They may be able to uncover crucial evidence that invalidates any allegations made against you.
To conclude, in the wake of suffering a traumatic brain injury from a car accident, seeking counsel from an experienced attorney is vital. They understand how a TBI impacts recovery and can guide you through pursuing appropriate compensation, whether from insurance claims or litigation if needed.
Don’t try to handle cognitive impairment by yourself, and try to negotiate the complicated legal system. Having an advocate by your side helps you get the assistance and justice you are entitled to. With their assistance complementing thorough documentation of your case, individuals can more optimally focus on recovery without bearing additional undue burdens.
Hey folks, meet Yasir Jamal here. As a blogger for more than six years, my passion has never faded. I love writing in a variety of niches including but not limited to Social Media captions. This site is mainly focused on Instagram captions and TikTok captions. I have a keen interest and bringing in the right information to my readers. So stay with me and enjoy reading helpful content on the go.