Los Angeles, California, is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the United States with a population of over 10 million citizens. Everyday someone is injured in a car accident and suffers severe injuries. Common car accident injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and even death.

If a Los Angeles driver has been injured in a car accident and suffered car accident injury because of the negligence of another driver, they may be able to receive car accident injury compensation for medical bills, property damage and lost wages. If the car accident injuries were the result of another driver’s reckless and dangerous actions punitive damages may also be available.

Los Angeles drivers who want to discuss filing a car accident claim can contact a car accident lawyer who understands car accident law.

What if there is an accident in a car?

There are a few things that should be done immediately if a driver has suffered car accident injuries.

1. Don’t flee the scene. A person who flees the scene could be charged with a hit and run.
2. Check on the other drivers, make sure they have not been injured and call 911.
3. Don’t admit fault or make any statements except to the police.
4. Exchange information with other drivers who were injured in the car accident.
5. Seek medical attention.
6. Contact your insurance company.
7. Do not agree to any settlement offers without consulting with a car accident lawyer.

Do I have a car accident claim?

Los Angeles drivers who have been injured in a car accident and have filed a car accident injury claim must prove the other driver was negligent to win their car accident law suit. To prove negligence the plaintiff must prove three things:

1. The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to act reasonably and safely.
2. The defendant breached their duty of care.
3. The plaintiff’s car accident injuries were a result of the defendant’s negligence. Negligence is defined as failing to conform to a standard of conduct which puts other individuals at risk.

If the claimant in the car accident proves the defendant was negligent, the judge or jury may award the plaintiff damages to compensate the defendant for their car accident injuries. Damages for common car accident injuries can include lost wages, medical costs and pain and suffering. In some cases the judge or jury may award additional damages to punish the defendant for flagrant disregard of the law (ex. drunk driving).

What can car accident attorneys do for me?

Car accident attorneys can help California drivers recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for permanent disabilities like brain injuries suffered in a car accident. Car accident lawyers can help negotiate with the car accident insurance company, file all of the necessary court documents and manage the paperwork and claims process.

In the state of California, a claimant has 2 years to file a car accident claim against anyone who caused their car accident injuries. If a negotiation has not been reached, it is important to file a car accident law suit before the California statute of limitations expires.

In observance of Brain Injury Awareness Month, we at PersonalInjuryPlace.com have teamed with CareMeridian to provide you with some information about traumatic brain injuries and ways to deal with their consequences.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

The brain is a complex and vital organ that shapes who we are. It allows us to understand questions and solve intricate problems, it produces our emotions while crafting our personality, and it helps us to live on both a biological and spiritual level. If it should experience damage than the essence of who we are could be lost forever. This is why traumatic brain injuries can cause grave damage to the life of its victim.

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a traumatic brain injury (also known as TBI) is an affliction that 1.4 million Americans sustain each year, 50,000 of which don’t survive. While TBI’s have differing levels of severity (ranging from mild to severe), they are usually acquired from a simple injury to the head and/or neck. Falls are the leading cause accounting for 28% of TBI’s, while motor vehicle accidents account for 20%. However, motor vehicle accidents have a higher frequency when it comes to TBI hospitalizations, which studies have shown effect over 280,000 people each year. The causes of the injury are wide in variety and can occur from open or closed head injuries to deceleration injuries (also known as a diffuse axonal injuries), but its complexities delve much deeper.

A traumatic brain injury can have life-altering effects on a victim’s emotional and physical well-being, but can also do severe damage to the physical nature of the brain. The injury may require years, if not decades, of special care and rehabilitation from care facilities like CareMeridian. The impairments from a brain injury can affect speech, vision, coordination, the short term and long term memory, and may even result in mood swings and behavioral changes in personality. Considering that every brain injury is different, rehabilitation depends on the individual case and injury; yet, prevention is possible.

For an injury as debilitating as TBI, prevention is essential. Luckily, prevention is not difficult. When driving, the best way to avert a TBI is by wearing a seatbelt and not being under the influence of alcohol. In fact, according to the Brain Injury Association of America more than 50% of people with a brain injury were intoxicated at the time of their injury. It’s also smart to always wear a helmet when riding a bike, thus reducing the risk of a head injury by almost 90%. If the right precautions are taken, the severity of TBI’s can be reduced if not prevented.

There is a lot that is still unknown about the inner workings of the human brain. However, one thing known for certain is the life changing affects that a TBI can have on its victims as a result of irreversible damage to its function.