Modern medicine is well aware of how important it is to take care of your brain. When you suffer a head injury, it can radically alter your quality of life, and can also pose life-threatening circumstances.
Nearly 1.5 million people in the United States survive brain injuries annually. Motorcycles travel at high speeds with much less protection than automobiles. As such, you are far more likely to suffer a brain injury.
The tips below can assist you when you have suffered a motorcycle accident head injury and need the help of professionals who can look out for you.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of injury to the brain that creates significant and potentially life-changing damage. These injuries cause enough damage to affect the way that your brain functions.
Since your brain is the supercomputer that gives instructions to the rest of your body, suffering a TBI can also affect several other systems. These injuries typically come about due to some form of blunt force trauma, which is why TBIs from motorcycle accident cases are such a risk factor.
Assess How the Accident Played Out
If you are hoping to recover injuries from TBIs from motorcycle accident situations, you need to have your legal matters in order. This starts with examining how the accident took place and all of the details that led up to it.
For starters, work to recover an accident report so that all of these points are laid out in writing. The responding officer will take account of things like speed of travel, direction of travel, which vehicles struck you, and what played out for this to happen.
Consider how your motorcycle accident happened so that you can prove that the plaintiff is at fault.
Get Medical Evaluations
Since TBIs are so serious, it’s important that you get an extensive medical evaluation. A physician will confirm that you suffered a TBI, and can help you figure out what kind.
Some examples of TBI include:
- Injuries that penetrate the brain
- Concussions of varying degrees
- Contusions
- Hemorrhages of the brain
- Second impact syndrome
In addition to your initial doctor visit, your physician will refer you to a specialist who can assess the extent of your neurological damage. This is crucial in proving your case, especially since these injuries can have lingering effects for the next several years. Keep accurate records of your medical expenses so that you’re covered in the event of a lawsuit or settlement.
Aside from physical injuries, emotional distress is often a major factor. Look into damages for pain and suffering so that you are monitoring every part of your case.
Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
After suffering your injuries, you need to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. The sooner you speak to a personal injury lawyer, the more detail you can use to pursue your motorcycle accident head injury case.
Check with the State Bar of Georgia to find some lawyers who are licensed and capable of helping you. This is an excellent way to find some leads and can help you with a settlement or trial. Find out about their ratings, and look for verified reviews from clients who have used them in the past.
Keep Addressing Your Medical Visits
The best way to prove your TBI damages is by attending your medical visits on schedule. This signals to the judge that you are taking matters seriously, and you will have several records that will back your claim.
It’s also important to stay on track with these visits so that you can protect your health for the next several years. Neglecting your medical needs can cause a significant dip in your quality of life, which will also make it harder for you to work out the details of your motorcycle accident case.
Keep copies of all of your bills and medical documents so that you can use them as evidence for your medical expenses. Your lawyer will help you substantiate your claims using these records and can push for a settlement that is useful to you.
Decide on Whether to Settle or Sue
When you are interested in recovering damages from your case, you will often need to decide whether you should settle the case or sue the other party. A big part of this depends on how they respond to the situation. For instance, if the other party is cooperative and accepting fault, it’s generally a pretty straightforward process.
However, if they hesitate to accept responsibility, or if the insurance company is dragging its feet, you will likely need to file a lawsuit. The majority of these sorts of cases end with a settlement, rather than being taken to trial. Because of this, it’s important that you hire an attorney who has skills and experience negotiating.
Doing this will help you get a settlement amount that is fair and that pays for the full scope of your injuries and damages. At the same time, choose an attorney with plenty of trial experience. This will help you prove your case before a judge so that you walk away with a winning judgment.
The attorney will help you through every aspect of the case, such as depositions, discovery, and everything in between.
Pay Attention to the Statute of Limitations
If you intend to pursue damages in a TBI case, you’ll need to always make sure that the law is on your side. You can compromise your own case when you fail to file or settle within the statute of limitations.
In the state of Georgia, this means a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injuries. These injuries also include emotional distress. Georgia also has a 4-year statute of limitations for damage to your personal property. Take account of every detail and work with a lawyer who will push your case ahead.
Handle Your Motorcycle Accident Head Injury Case
Handling your motorcycle accident head injury takes some focus, understanding, and the help of a good motorcycle accident attorney. This is the last ingredient that you will need to recover damages from one of these cases.
Scholle Law serves the Duluth, Lawrenceville, Decatur, Perimeter, and Midtown areas. We would be happy to assist you with your situation so that you’re paid what you are entitled to. To find out how much your motorcycle accident case is worth, schedule a consultation online or call us at (866)592-1296.