A brain injury creates immense uncertainty with medical questions and growing financial pressures. A Glendale brain injury lawyer helps you find answers and pursue the financial support needed for your recovery.
Law Bear will connect you with a dedicated attorney to handle these pressures, allowing you to prioritize your health and family. They act as your advocate, protecting your rights from the very beginning.
Law Bear provides a free case evaluation to help you chart a path forward. Call us 24/7 at (309) 365-6510 to discuss your situation.
What To Do After Sustaining a Head Injury
Your actions after an accident can impact both your health and your potential legal claim. Take these steps to protect your well-being and your rights:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Visit a doctor or an emergency room right after any incident involving a blow to the head, as symptoms of a serious brain injury aren't always apparent right away.
- Follow All Medical Advice: Adhere to the treatment plan provided by your healthcare professionals, including attending all follow-up appointments and completing prescribed therapies.
- Keep Detailed Records: Maintain a complete file containing all of your medical bills, doctor reports, and receipts for any expenses related to the injury.
- Seek Legal Guidance: Contact a Glendale brain injury lawyer to discuss the details of your accident and learn about your options.
How a Glendale Brain Injury Lawyer Helps You
After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), your focus deserves to be on healing. A legal advocate handles the complex claims process for you. They build a strong foundation for your case from the very beginning. From the investigation to the resolution, your lawyer has got your back.
Leading a Comprehensive Investigation
Your attorney takes immediate action to preserve and gather all evidence related to your accident. They analyze police reports, secure scene photographs, and obtain statements from any available witnesses.
This independent investigation establishes a factual record of how your injury occurred and who is at fault.
Managing All Communication
Your Glendale brain injury lawyer becomes your exclusive point of contact for all case-related matters. They manage all correspondence and negotiations with insurance companies and the at-fault party's representatives.
This protects you from saying something that could be used against your claim and allows you to avoid stressful conversations.
Protecting Your Legal Rights
Opposing parties may ask you to provide a recorded statement or sign broad medical authorizations. Your attorney advises you on these requests to safeguard your privacy and legal position. They help prevent you from making any missteps that could harm your ability to recover fair compensation.
Uncovering the Full Value of Your Claim
A TBI affects every part of your life, from your ability to work to your personal relationships. A complete claim accounts for every loss, not just the initial medical bills. Your legal team works to document the full scope of your damages.
An accurate assessment is the only way to pursue the full compensation you require. A severe brain injury often requires lifetime care. Your legal team works with medical specialists and life-care planners to outline your future needs.
Fighting for Full and Fair Compensation
After calculating the full value of your claim, your lawyer presents a comprehensive demand to the responsible parties and their insurers. They'll then negotiate, using the strength of the evidence to argue for a complete settlement that covers all your damages.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, your attorney can file a lawsuit and present your case to a judge and jury to pursue the financial outcome you need.
Common Glendale Accidents That Cause Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries result from incidents where the head sustains a jolt or impact. A local attorney understands what to look for, whether your accident occurred on the busy streets near the Westgate Entertainment District or in a quieter neighborhood in Sahuaro Ranch.
Your legal options depend on the circumstances of the incident. We connect people who have sustained brain injuries with attorneys experienced in a wide range of accidents.
We can evaluate cases arising from these situations:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Crashes involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles on roads like Loop 101 or 59th Avenue cause TBIs.
- Premises Liability Incidents: Slips, trips, and falls on poorly maintained property can cause severe head injuries.
- Workplace Accidents: Work accidents, particularly in construction or industrial settings, often lead to TBIs.
- Acts of Violence: An assault can tragically result in a life-altering brain injury for the victim.
Compensation You Can Pursue After a TBI
A personal injury claim aims to recover financial compensation that helps you become whole again. This includes payment for both your economic and your non-economic losses. Every case is unique, and the value of your claim depends on the injury's severity and the facts of your case.
With the help of a TBI lawyer in Glendale, you may seek a settlement that reflects your new reality:
- Medical Treatment: Compensation covers all past, current, and future medical care related to the brain injury.
- Lost Income: This reimburses you for the wages and benefits you lost while unable to work.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: Many people cannot return to work or have to take a lower-paying job. You may seek compensation for this future loss.
- Pain and Suffering: You may pursue compensation for your physical pain and emotional distress.
- Rehabilitation Costs: This payment addresses therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
- Loss of Consortium: Sometimes, a spouse can pursue compensation for the loss of companionship and support.
Securing Your Future With a Life Care Plan
A life care plan is a detailed document that provides a long-term roadmap for a brain injury survivor's medical and personal needs. It projects the costs for every aspect of necessary care over a person's lifetime and translates a person's future requirements into a clear, itemized financial plan.
Certified professionals develop a life care plan. These individuals work alongside your doctors and other medical providers to get a complete picture of your diagnosis and prognosis. They review your medical records and conduct thorough assessments to create an evidence-based report.
The Outline
The plan itemizes all anticipated medical treatments, therapies, and equipment. It can include costs for future surgeries, physician visits, and different types of therapy such as physical, occupational, and cognitive.
The document also accounts for needs like home modifications, assistive technology, and potential in-home nursing care.
How the Plan Strengthens Your Claim
A life care plan is robust evidence in your personal injury claim. It provides a credible, data-driven justification for the amount of future damages you're pursuing. This tool gives insurance companies and juries a concrete basis for a compensation award that truly addresses your long-term needs.
Proving Liability in a Brain Injury Case
To secure a brain injury settlement in Glendale, your attorney must demonstrate that another party was negligent. This requires proving four specific elements. Lawyers know how to assemble the evidence needed to establish each point.
The core elements of a negligence claim are:
- Duty: The defendant had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care.
- Breach: The defendant failed to meet that obligation through their actions or inaction.
- Causation: The defendant's breach directly caused your brain injury.
- Damages: You suffered quantifiable losses as a result of the injury.
Building a case requires detailed evidence. Your attorney may use accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony. A Glendale brain injury lawyer manages this entire process for you.
Arizona Laws That Come Into Play
A huge advantage of working with an attorney is making sure you file paperwork correctly and on time. Similarly, lawyers know how to minimize fault in order to maximize their clients' payouts. Even a small misstep can cost you.
Statute of Limitations
In Arizona, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. You must file your lawsuit within this timeframe, or you may lose your right to pursue compensation.
There are exceptions to this rule, so it is always best to discuss your specific situation with an attorney.
Comparative Negligence
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially to blame for the accident that caused your injury. However, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
FAQ for Glendale Brain Injury Lawyer
What Should I Do if the Other Party's Insurance Adjuster Contacts Me?
You're not obligated to provide a statement to an insurance adjuster for the at-fault party. Politely decline to give a recorded statement, as these can be used to limit your claim. Direct any inquiries from the insurance company to your legal representative.
Do I Still Have a Case if My Symptoms Were Delayed?
Yes, you still have a case even if your symptoms didn't immediately appear. It's very common for the symptoms of a brain injury, such as headaches, memory issues, or mood changes, to manifest days or even weeks after the initial accident.
Seek medical attention as soon as you notice any new symptoms and inform the doctor how they relate to your accident.
How Long Does It Take To Resolve a TBI Claim?
The timeline for resolving a brain injury claim has no fixed schedule. The duration depends on several factors, including the complexity of your case and the severity of your injuries.
Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and the opposing side's willingness to negotiate fairly also influence the length of the process.
How Does a Glendale Brain Injury Lawyer Prove the Extent of My Injury?
An attorney uses extensive medical evidence to prove the severity and impact of a brain injury. This includes your medical records, imaging scans like MRIs and CT scans, and doctor reports.
They also often work with medical and financial experts to create a life care plan that documents your future needs. Similarly, they may collect testimony from these professionals on your future needs and limitations.
Do I Have To Go to Court for My TBI Case?
Most personal injury cases settle out of court through negotiations with the at-fault party's insurance company. Your lawyer will negotiate for a fair settlement based on the facts of the case and your losses and future needs.
If the insurer refuses a just settlement, your lawyer may take your case to court to secure fair payment.
What Kinds of Evidence Does a Glendale TBI Attorney Need for My Claim?
Attorneys use a wide range of evidence to build a strong brain injury claim, including police and accident reports, photos and videos from the scene, and eyewitness testimony.
They also gather medical records, employment records to show lost wages, and expert reports to build a comprehensive picture of your accident and your losses.
Illuminate Your Path Forward
You don't have to handle the stress of a legal claim alone while recovering from a serious injury. A clear direction and a strong advocate can make a significant difference. You can gain peace of mind by having a dedicated professional champion your rights.
Let Law Bear provide a free evaluation of your case. Call us at (309) 365-6510 to find a qualified Glendale brain injury lawyer who can pursue the compensation you need.