Concussions are common, they’re serious, and they can leave accident victims with lifelong complications.
If someone suffers a concussion in a car accident that wasn’t their fault, the at-fault party or their insurance should pay for the victim’s recovery and ongoing needs.
The Law Office of Chuck Geerhart has the experience to ensure that insurance companies and defendants pay up when they’re liable for someone else’s pain.
Over the years, Chuck Geerhart has recovered millions for car accident victims.
What are Concussions?
Concussions are traumatic brain injuries.
During a concussion-causing event, the brain moves around in the skull and suffers injury from chemical changes, the stretching of brain cells, and the damaging of brain cells.
This is just as scary as it sounds, and concussions can occur easily during common accidents and activities.
What Causes Concussions?
Concussions occur when someone suffers a hit to their head or a physical jolt that causes their head to move around rapidly.
All of this can occur during big and “small” car accidents alike.
Whether someone forcefully hits their head on a steering wheel or their body suddenly jerks forward from a rear-end collision, they are at risk for a concussion.
Car accident victims should seek medical attention immediately to address any potential ailments and make sure they receive proper screening and treatment for head injuries.
What Are the Signs of a Concussion After a Car Accident in California?
Whether they have obvious symptoms or not, car accident victims should seek medical attention as soon as possible after a collision.
If a victim did not seek immediate medical attention and has concerns about suffering a concussion after a car accident, these symptoms are indicators of a traumatic brain injury:
- A change in sleep patterns and habits,
- Sensitivity to light,
- Fatigue,
- Headaches,
- Difficulty concentrating,
- Sensitivity to noise,
- Irritability,
- Vision trouble,
- Memory problems (short-term or long-term),
- Fuzzy thinking,
- Sluggishness,
- Dizziness,
- Lack of balance,
- Heightened emotions,
- Lack of alertness,
- Nausea or vomiting, and
- Sadness.
Even if an accident victim doesn’t have these particular symptoms, they should speak to a medical professional if they feel different after an accident.
Many individuals with concussions don’t receive enough medical care for their condition.
It’s important for accident victims to stay on top of their medical care and routine visits to make sure they receive all necessary treatment for the best rehabilitation.
What Can an Accident Victim Recover in a Lawsuit or Claim?
An accident victim can take their accident claim to trial for an award or settle with the at-fault driver and the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
The accident victim chooses can recover damages to compensate for:
- Current financial losses,
- Future financial losses,
- Pain and suffering, and
- The at-fault driver’s particularly bad behavior.
Damages for a driver’s particularly bad behavior are called exemplary damages.
Victims don’t receive these damages at trial unless they can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted maliciously, fraudulently, or oppressively during the accident.
This is a hard standard of proof to reach without the help of an attorney.
How Much Can an Accident Victim Recover?
An at-fault driver needs to pay a victim for all of their losses related to a car accident. However, it’s often hard to get that amount of money directly from a driver.
Most victims have a better chance of getting payment from an at-fault driver’s insurance company.
The minimum coverage an auto insurance company must provide for bodily injury to one person under a liability-only policy is $15,000.
If a driver has a full coverage policy, the minimum for bodily injury to one person is $100,000.
An experienced attorney can help a victim identify all parties responsible for their injuries to maximize their damages.
Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer Today
A concussion can be scary and disorienting, and so can a lawsuit.
At the Law Office of Chuck Geerhart, we handle our clients’ legal needs and recover the compensation they deserve while they get well.
Chuck Geerhart is a top-tier personal injury attorney in California with over 30 years of experience.
Chuck has also worked for the other side in the past, so he can easily anticipate his legal opponents’ next moves.
Call us at 415-577-4992 or contact us online for a free consultation.