Brain Scan After a Traumatic Brain InjuryCar accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which estimates that there are more than 5.3 million Americans—or roughly two percent of the population—living with disabilities caused by a TBI. These injuries can irreversibly change an accident victim's life, resulting in the need for ongoing medical treatment, assistive care, and other costly accommodations. In fact, one Northwestern University study found that living with a TBI can cost between $85,000 and $3 million over the course of a lifetime.

The Wide Range of Economic and Non-Economic Damages

Fortunately, victims who sustain TBIs in car accidents caused by another person or entity's negligence can file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court and seek money for a wide range of economic and non-economic damages. A monetary recovery or judgment for economic damages is intended to compensate an accident victims for quantifiable financial losses arising from the accident and the accident related injuries. Examples of economic damages—also known as special damages—include:

  • Medical bills
  • Future accident-related medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Other past and future accident-related financial losses

The payment or award of money for non-economic damages, also known as general damages, have pay for items where there is no direct monetary value.  Non-economic damages in car accident TBI case can include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Disability
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of companionship and consortium

These damages are harder to calculate into dollars and cents, but they are real and an injured person can greatly benefit from the financial assistance for the losses suffered by the TBI victim.

Finally, there is a third type of damages known as punitive damages.  Money may be awarded in cases where the defendant's behavior was particularly egregious or wanton.  An attorney can help you determine if a request for punitive damages might apply in your case.

Consult a Knowledgeable California Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one sustained a TBI in a car accident caused by another person or company's negligence, the skilled attorneys with the Inland Empire Law Group can investigate your case, and help you understand your rights and legal options.  The injury professionals at the Inland Empire Law Group can provide quality legal services, from pre-litigation settlement demands to taking a case to trial if necessary to secure the best result for your injury claim.  Contact us today at (888) 694-3529 or (909) 481-0100 to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation.

 

David Ricks
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Rancho Cucamonga Personal Injury Lawyer Serving the Inland Empire Community