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  • Sports may cause brain injuries among young people

    An athletic activity needs not to be a combat sport, such as boxing or MMA, to cause brain trauma. Nor do the participants have to be adults to face severe injury risks. Many young persons competing in high school and college sports find themselves at significant risk for traumatic brain injuries. Florida parents and guardians may wish to keep a careful eye on the children’s sports injuries, as they could be worse than believed.

    Brain injuries and sports

    Brain injuries could derive from many different incidents. Slips and falls may lead to fractured skulls. Numerous car accidents cause harm to the brain. However, a study published in 2019 reveals that sports are the main cause of traumatic brain injuries to young people.

    Sports and recreational activities contributed to 38.3% of traumatic brain injuries suffered by young persons between the ages of 15 and 19. Shockingly, 59.3% of children and young teens between ages 10 to 14 also suffered from sports-related TBIs.

    Even with good quality safety equipment and proper training, a young athlete could suffer devastating injuries. Some sports come with contact, which increases the dangers. Tragically, some injuries could result from negligence.

    Negligence and youth sports

    When a drunk driver hits another car and inflicts injuries on its occupants, most understand the intoxicated driver could face a liability suit. The same might be true when coaches, school officials, or others’ actions or non-actions cause someone to suffer harm.

    Young persons forced to play when fatigued or after suffering a minor injury may get hurt worse. A bullying coach may then face a lawsuit for any inflicted brain injuries.

    Traumatic brain injuries could leave the victim suffering for the rest of their life. Care may become expensive. A personal injury suit might offer compensation to address such expenses.

  • Who Pays my Medical Bills After an Auto Accident?

    Understanding Compensation After a Tampa Bay Auto Accident: Who Pays for My Medical Bills in Florida?

    Auto accidents are one of the largest causes of unexpected medical bills. In the United States alone, approximately two million people suffer personal injuries in auto accidents and another 40,000 are wrongfully killed. Of these national statistics, Florida auto accidents account for about 236,000 injuries and 3,000 deaths. These are staggering figures which mean each day in Florida alone there are 647 people injured and eight people killed. Our Tampa Bay auto accident lawyers know this also means that many victims and their families are burdened with the high costs of emergency medical treatment, surgeries, and potentially years of physical therapy or revisionary procedures to try to repair the damage done. This is often coupled with the realization that the person injured in an auto accident may also be unable to work to pay these quickly accumulating costs.

    This is why one of the most common questions a victim may have after an auto accident is who can pay for my medical bills. Florida has taken great steps to help protect victims of a motor vehicle accident by enacting certain legislation to allow victims easier routes to recover compensation for medical bills. However, most people do not know what to do until they have already been in an accident.

    Here at Dumas & Sanclemente Law, we hope that no one has to live through another car accident. But we know that is not realistic given that 2 million people are injured every year in series wrecks. Thus, we want everyone to know what their rights are to have their medical bills paid before they are ever in a Florida auto accident to help ease the burdens of physical, emotional, and financial stress on a victim and his or her family.

    Florida Car Insurance 101: What a “No Fault” State Means

     

    Generally, the United States has two forms of car insurance. There are “at-fault” states and “no-fault” states. The difference dictates where a person injured in an auto accident will turn for medical bills and lost wages. At-fault states require parties to turn to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Whereas no-fault states like Florida require parties to turn to their own car insurance to submit a claim. The goal of a no-fault state is for victims to immediately begin having medical bills and lost wages paid for, and liability could be determined later in a lawsuit or between insurers.

    Components of No Fault Insurance

    Under Florida law, all motorists must have insurance for their motor vehicle in order to register and operate the vehicle on Florida roadways. Coverage must be for both personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL).

    What is the Minimum Car Insurance Required in Florida

    While motorists are free to purchase as much insurance as they can afford, the minimum car insurance required in Florida is the following:

    • $10,000 for personal injury protection or PIP, and
    • $10,000 for property damage liability or PDL.

    What is Covered by Florida No Fault Insurance?

    Under Florida law, PIP covers eighty percent (80%) of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses for a covered injury caused by an auto accident. The amount covered or reimbursed is up to the amount purchased by the motorist, which at a minimum must be $10,000. Additionally, PDL will cover up damage caused to another vehicle or property up to the amount chosen by the motorist, the minimum being $10,000.

    What to Do if Personal Injuries are More Than the Coverage?

    In some instances, the personal injuries sustained by a victim of a Tampa Bay auto accident may be more than the amount of no-fault coverage. In this situation there are two options for motorists.

    Option 1: Commence a Legal Action

    Where the personal injuries sustained are more than the PIP limits of a policy, a victim may commence a personal injury action where he or she suffered a “serious injury” against the at-fault driver. This is a threshold consideration that keeps mild or moderate injuries out of litigation and in the no-fault realm. It is important to seek a lawyer’s assistance to determine if you have a serious injury and may be entitled to compensation in a Florida lawsuit.

    Option 2: UM/UIM Coverage

    Uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, sometimes referred to as supplemental uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage, is an additional and voluntary option for motorists to purchase on top of their PIP. This policy add-on covers a driver and his or her family if the damages go above the PIP and bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage that the at-fault driver has. The total amount of UM/UIM is the total amount of compensation that a victim may be entitled to recover. This means if you have a total of $100,000 in medical bills and obtain $10,000 from PIP, you would be entitled to recover another $90,000 (total $100,000) if your UM/UIM policy was for $100,000.

    This coverage is only for the individual who purchases it, meaning buying this coverage benefits just you and your family. Our Tampa Bay auto accident lawyers recommend obtaining as much UM/UIM as you can reasonably afford, trying at least for $200,000 in coverage in possible but $400,000-$500,000 is best.

    When Workers Compensation Could Apply

    In addition to no-fault insurance paying medical bills, if a victim was injured while within the scope of employment workers compensation may be the exclusive remedy. This is tricky because it can usurp no-fault insurance. It is also not preferred, as workers compensation will place a lien on your file and if you are able to collect compensation in a lawsuit against a defendant, you may have to pay back all or a portion of your workers compensation lien.

    Do You Have Medical Bills After a Florida Auto Accident? Ask Us for Help

    At Dumas & Sanclemente Law, we understand that being involved in a Florida auto accident can be a frustrating and confusing time. This is particularly if your medical bills are higher than the policy coverage, or if an insurance adjuster is undervaluing or even disclaiming your valid claim. This is why our Tampa Bay auto accident lawyers offer free consultations to advise you of your rights and, if we accept your case, there is no upfront fee for our lawyers to begin to work on your case. We also pay all upfront costs and disbursements of litigation. We only get paid our counsel fees and reimbursement of costs and disbursements if we recover compensation for you. This means there is no financial risk for you to hire our law firm.

    Learn more about how we can help you today during a FREE case evaluation by dialing (844) 400-2667. You can also send us a message with our convenient and easy-to-use message box at the bottom of our contact us page available here.

  • What is life like after a brain injury?

    Short-term outcomes of brain injuries

    A brain injury refers to damage or impairment of the brain tissue, caused by a traumatic event such as a car accident, fall, assault, or exposure to toxins. This type of injury can have a profound and lasting impact on every aspect of a person’s life. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Florida, it may be helpful to know what the road ahead could look like.

    Brain injuries can have a wide range of short-term effects, depending on the location and severity of the injury. In the most common type of brain injury, known as a concussion, the individual may experience a temporary period of unconsciousness, followed by a headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.

    More serious brain injuries can cause more significant and long-lasting effects, including:

    • Confusion
    • Memory problems
    • Mood swings
    • Sleep disturbances
    • Difficulties with speech
    • Impaired motor skills

    In the most severe cases, a brain injury can lead to coma or even death. Fortunately, most people who suffer a concussion will make a full recovery within a few weeks. However, more serious brain injuries can have lifelong effects.

    Long-term outcomes of brain injuries

    Depending on the severity of the injury and the location of the damaged tissue, a serious brain injury can affect various aspects of a person’s functioning, including:

    • Thinking
    • Perception
    • Language abilities
    • Reasoning abilities
    • Memory function
    • Cognitive skills
    • Emotional stability

    Treatment for a brain injury is typically focused on helping patients to relearn or improve these various functions and promoting recovery through physical therapy and other interventions. They may need assistance with daily activities such as eating and bathing, and they may have difficulty communicating or processing information.

    Additionally, people with traumatic brain injuries may be more susceptible to seizures, drug poisoning, infections, or pneumonia in addition to a wide range of chronic health problems.

    Navigating the aftermath of a brain injury

    The road to recovery can be long and difficult, but with rehabilitation and support, many people with brain injuries are able to make significant progress.

    In some cases, however, the effects of a brain injury can be permanent and result in moderate to severe disability. This can be a difficult reality to accept, but with time and adjusting to their new abilities and limitations, many people learn to live fulfilling lives.

  • What really causes motorcycle accidents in Florida?

    Motorcycle accidents are some of the most common and dangerous types of accidents on the road. Although many people attribute these accidents to speeding, there are actually a number of other factors that can contribute to a motorcycle crash.

    Poor visibility

    One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents is simply not being seen by other drivers. Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles on the road, which can make them difficult to spot. Drivers of larger vehicles may not see a motorcycle until it is too late, resulting in a collision.

    Poor road conditions

    Potholes, debris and wet or icy roads can be dangerous for motorcyclists. These conditions can cause a rider to lose control of their bike, leading to an accident. For instance, potholes can cause a motorcycle to veer into oncoming traffic or off the road entirely.

    Inexperience

    Many motorcycle accidents are caused by inexperienced riders who are not familiar with the proper way to operate a motorcycle. These riders may not know how to handle their bike in different weather or road conditions, which can lead to a crash.

    Mechanical problems

    Mechanical problems with the motorcycle itself can also lead to fatal accidents. If a bike has faulty brakes or tires, it can be very dangerous for the rider and can easily lead to an accident. Similarly, if a motorcycle is not properly maintained, it is more likely to cause an accident. This is why mechanics and motorcycle manufacturers are sometimes held liable for motorcycle accidents.

    These are just some of the main sources of motorcycle accidents. If you are a rider, it is important to be aware of these dangers and take steps to avoid them. Always wear proper safety gear, ride defensively and maintain your bike to help reduce your risk of being involved in an accident.

  • When Do You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

    Learn the Signs of When You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney to Protect Your Rights in Tampa Bay

    We have all heard the expression that “accidents happen.” And it is true that some accidents do happen. But sometimes these accidents are due to the reckless, careless, and otherwise negligent conduct of another person, business, or government agency. Sometimes these accidents are also avoidable and preventable. This means that you may suffer needless harm and personal injuries from an accident that never should have happened. Unfortunately, many times these negligent accidents also cause serious or catastrophic personal injuries. The worst part is that many Floridians do not even realize that they have been victims of someone else’s negligence. Sometimes victims even blame themselves for their injuries. But this is exactly why you need to hire a Tampa Bay personal injury lawyer to review what happened and to advise you of your rights.

    Many times the catastrophic injuries that a victim suffered were due to negligent accidents. For instance, according to research from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center the leading causes of spinal cord injuries are motor vehicle accidents (38%) and falls (30.5%). The other top causes of SCIs were due to violence (intentional harm known as a “tort”), sports accidents (can include due to negligence), and medical or surgical mistakes (medical malpractice). It is similarly true for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that falls accounted for 48% of all emergency department visits and the first and second leading causes of all TBI-related hospitalizations were falls and motor vehicle accidents. The CDC also reports that another common cause of TBIs are being struck by an object or crushed between an object, which is also a common workplace or construction site accident.

    Unfortunately, many of the victims injured in these types of accidents may not realize that they have rights under Florida law to recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages from an accident. This inequitably leaves victims and their families with the burden of both physical and emotional harm, while saddled with crushing financial damages. Do not let this happen to you. Learn when it is important to seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer.

    Signs When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Florida

    There are many common signs and indications why an individual should seek a lawyer to review a case. Generally, anytime you have suffered any type of physical, emotional, or financial injury due to another’s conduct or while on the property of another, you may have a case. This includes even if you think it was partially your fault.

    Some common examples of when to consult with a Tampa Bay personal injury lawyer include the following:

    Motor Vehicle Accidents in Florida

    Anytime you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, trucking wreck, motorcycle collision, hit by a car as a pedestrian or bicyclist, or otherwise injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. This is true even in single-car accidents if you were forced off the road to avoid another vehicle that swung into your lane but did not hit you. In some instances, a municipality such as a town, county, or the State may be liable to you in a single-car accident due to negligent maintenance of the roadway, poor roadway design, or other errors. This is particularly true for motorcyclists and bituminous crack fillers or sealers which can become soft or tacky in the Florida sun and cause a motorcyclist to lose balance and crash.

    Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accidents

    Premises liability cases are accidents that occur due to the use or occupation of land. The most common types of premises liability cases are slip and falls or trip and falls. These cases are different because the mechanism of injury is different, meaning that there could be different injuries and a need for a different type of expert to support your claim.

    Slip and Fall – A slip and fall is when a person loses balance by stepping onto a slippery surface. The slippery surface could be a spilled product in a store, tracked in rainwater, or excessive wax or soap on a floor. Common injuries include bi- and trimalleolar fractures, torn meniscus, or torn knee ligaments such as ACL, MCL, PCL, or LCL.

    Trip and Fall – A trip and fall is when a person’s foot is caused to get stuck, twist, or otherwise strike an unexpected object that causes a person to lose balance and fall. This type of injury can be caused by debris in a store floor, broken curbs, or a hole in the ground. Unique trip and fall injuries could include spiral fractures which are caused when a person’s leg muscles are internally pulling one way (to walk) and an external force is pulling another way (gravity falling in the opposite direction). These are very serious and painful injuries.

    Construction Accidents

    Some of the most damaging types of personal injury accidents are construction accidents. The CDC report affirms this, as the second most common cause for TBI hospital visits were due to falling objects or being crushed—both common construction site accidents. Other common causes of injury include falling from a height, explosions, burns, chemical exposure, electrocution, vehicle accidents, and other reckless causes.

    Workplace Accidents

    Any injury that occurs at a place of employment or due to employment could result in liability. Generally, workers compensation insurance will cover these types of injury claims. However, there are some instances where a victim suffering personal injuries at work may be entitled to recover compensation against a third-party that caused those injuries or against an employer who failed to have workers compensation when he or she was required by Florida law.

    Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

    One of the most painful and damaging injuries are caused by dog bites and animal attacks. This is especially true if an infection occurs, which is very common in these types of injuries. While some states require prior knowledge of a dog’s propensity to bite or harm another, Florida is a “strict liability” state when it comes to dog bites. This means that the owner of a dog is usually automatically liable if his or her animal attacks or bites another person. However, there are some common defenses that insurance adjusters will use to try to prevent a victim from recovering compensation. Always ask a Tampa Bay personal injury lawyer for help with a dog bite case.

    Medical Malpractice and Birth Injuries

    While a healthcare provider cannot guarantee a particular result, a healthcare provider must provide the appropriate standard of care that a reasonably prudent healthcare provider with similar training, education, and in the related field would have in similar circumstances This means that an OB/GYN must provide the same level of care and treatment that another OB/GYN would have in similar instances, or a nurse must provide the same level of care that another nurse in a similar specialty would have. Any type of healthcare provider could be liable for medical malpractice, including doctors, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, dentists, hygienists, and in some instances medical students, residents, internists, and other technicians. Any time a patient’s result does not come out as expected, it could be due to healthcare negligence.

    Other Types of Personal Injury Cases

    In addition to the specific types above, there are many other types of negligent cases that could allow a victim to recover compensation including the following:

    • Swimming pool accidents
    • Falls on stairs
    • Negligent security at a hotel or lodging room
    • Watercraft accidents
    • Intentional assaults
    • Sexual offenses and crimes against a person
    • Cruise ship accidents
    • Fire and burn injuries
    • Nursing home negligence including pressure sores, ulcers, or other damages
    • Prescription medication errors and mishaps
    • Negligent security at a bar
    • Roadway design errors
    • Improper construction or architectural/engineering negligence
    • Drownings, and
    • Any other types of incidents that cause another harm including wrongful death.

    You Can Recover Damages if You Were Partially At Fault

    Even if you believe that you may have caused your own personal injuries, you may still recover compensation. Florida is a “comparative fault” state, which means that the fault of a victim will be assessed against the overall liability of a defendant and the victim’s share will be proportionally reduced. For example, if a victim is awarded $100,000 but is 10% at fault for causing the accident, the victim’s award will likely be reduced to $90,000.

    Call Our Tampa Bay Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

    Unfortunately, many people are resistant to the idea of seeking legal advice because of a preconceived notation that lawyers are expensive. While that can be true, our Tampa Bay personal injury lawyers offer FREE case reviews to help explain what rights that a victim may have under Florida law. This means that seeing a lawyer at Dumas & Sanclemente Law is free to you to learn whether you may have rights to compensation for your injuries. If we accept your case, we also only receive a percentage of what we recover for you in a settlement or court award. This means that there is no fee if we do not win your case, and you will not have out-of-pocket expenses as we only take a percentage of what we recover for you plus. To schedule your free consultation, call [nap_phone id=”LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1″] to learn how we can help you and your family recover compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and other damages due to another’s negligence. You can also contact us through our convenient and easy-to-use message box at the bottom of our contact us page available here.

  • Stay on your feet while working as a nurse

    While working as a nurse in Florida, you might notice that there are times when it’s difficult to get your footing in certain situations. Since slips and falls are common incidents that occur in the healthcare setting that could result in an injury, it’s important to know a few ways that they can be prevented.

    The proper shoes

    Part of your attire as a nurse to help prevent slip-and-fall accidents should be slip-resistant shoes. They should have a sturdy foundation with the proper tread that almost clings to the floor so that they don’t slide around. Make sure your shoes are securely on your feet so that they don’t move around while you’re working as this could result in losing your balance or tripping.

    Barriers

    If there’s an area in your workplace that’s wet or that could be dangerous, then consider putting a barrier in front of that area so that nurses and other workers don’t go there. Once repairs are made or cleaning is performed, then the barrier can be removed. When the area can’t fully be blocked off, you can use signs to indicate that the floor is wet or that there could be a dangerous situation that could result in slipping and falling as long as the signs are large enough to be seen.

    Communicate

    Sometimes, other nurses might not know if there’s a spill somewhere or if there is cleaning taking place in an area of the building. Set up a communication system so that each department is aware of the potential for accidents to occur if they visit that area. The team can also talk about when the best time would be for cleaning if there are certain times that aren’t as busy as others in order to decrease the risk of accidents.

    As a healthcare worker, you need to be as prepared as possible to stay on your feet while working without falling down. If danger is present, then alerting others who are in the building can decrease the risk.

  • 2020 saw thousands of fatal car accidents

    People take risks when they travel in a car, even if they’ve avoided accidents for many years. One mistake could lead to a tragic incident, and there are times when collisions might be out of a careful driver’s control. Florida drivers and commuters may panic after learning government figures show an unfortunate increase in fatalities during 2020. Such information might lead some to be more careful, but negligent drivers make the road dangerous.

    The deadly year of 2020

    The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration keeps track of many statistics related to vehicle collisions. The federal entity noted that 38,680 people lost their lives in 2020 due to car accidents. The number represented a 7.2% increase over 2019, despite factors contributing to fewer drivers on the road.

    Many might wonder how a situation with fewer drivers traveling leads to more fatalities. Perhaps a decrease in fellow commuters caused some to take chances, such as speeding or driving recklessly. Fatal accidents don’t always require numerous cars on the road. Two vehicles colliding could prove tragic.

    Negligence and dangers on the road

    Not all the 2020 collisions involved cars, trucks, and SUVs. Fatal accidents also included crashes with motorcycles and pedestrians. And even if 2020’s tragic figures decline, there will always be dangers on the road.

    A motor vehicle accident that ends in someone’s passing may result in a wrongful death lawsuit. If a large truck crashes into a motorcyclist, the victim may have little chance of surviving. Even those who recover could suffer from severe injuries requiring extensive care. A lawsuit or insurance claim might help the victim or their families recover compensation.

  • What injuries can happen due to reckless driving in Florida?

    Reckless drivers can cause serious, life-threatening motor vehicle accidents that would otherwise be totally preventable. Reckless driving might seem harmless at the time, but the injuries to victims of a crash can take years to recover from. It’s important to spot the signs of a reckless driver and what some of the consequences of reckless driving can look like.

    What does reckless driving look like?

    Reckless driving can take many different forms. Some of the most recognizable forms are weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds or swerving erratically. Reckless is defined as any of the following:

    • Driving under the influence
    • Speeding
    • Ignoring weather conditions
    • Driving too close behind cars and tailgating
    • Ignoring traffic signs and stoplights

    Running a red light while going 10 or 20 miles over the speed limit can have devastating consequences. Because of the high speeds, injuries attained from a car accident with a reckless driver can be serious.

    What types of injuries can happen with reckless driving?

    At worst, accidents with a reckless driver result in death or lifelong disabilities such as paralysis, amputations and deformities. One of the most common injuries is a traumatic brain injury that can change a victim’s cognitive functioning. Soft tissue damage or orthopedic injuries are also very common in motor vehicle accidents.

    What should you do if you’re injured as a result of a reckless driver?

    Regardless of the severity of your injuries, they can still have devastating consequences on your finances. It’s important to work with police officers, doctors and your attorney to ensure that you get adequate support and compensation after an accident with a reckless driver.

  • Types of head injury from vehicle accidents

    Vehicle accidents are the second most common cause of brain injury after falls. A person in Florida may experience one of several types of brain injuries.

    Concussions

    A traumatic brain injury occurs when a blunt force interrupts the normal function of the brain, such as hitting a steering wheel. Concussions are commonly mild traumatic brain injuries that may cause dizziness, nausea or vomiting, and headaches.

    A mild TBI usually doesn’t cause a loss of consciousness, and if it does, it should only be brief. Concussions commonly don’t cause long-term effects, and they may heal in several weeks if they get treatment.

    Skull fractures

    A skull fracture commonly occurs from hitting the steering wheel or dashboard, being hurt by flying debris or getting ejected from the vehicle. A basal skull fracture, which occurs at the skull base, is the most serious fracture because it could cause a TBI.

    A closed skull fracture breaks the bone, but it does not pierce the skin over the injury site. An open fracture occurs when the bone pierces the skin or surrounding skin on the injury site, making the bone visible. Skull fractures may cause swelling, fatigue, severe headaches, ear or nose fluid, bleeding, and nausea or persistent vomiting.

    Contusions and hematoma

    A contusion is a bruise on the brain, commonly occurring from rapid movement of the brain pushing against the skull. Some contusion symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, vomiting, nausea, light sensitivity, headaches and speech issues.

    An intracerebral hematoma causes scattered bleeding under the surface of the brain, including the lobes, cerebellum and the poles. Common ICH symptoms include swelling, pain, confusion, seizures, severe headaches, sleep issues, redness and trouble moving limbs.

    People who have been injured in vehicle crashes may pursue claims against at-fault drivers. They should first get examined by a doctor for proof of injury.

  • Dealing with TBI after a car accident

    Were you recently involved in a car accident in Florida? You may have suffered what is known as a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. This is an injury that occurs when you receive a serious jolt or blow to the head. TBIs can occur for a number of reasons but are most commonly caused when you are in a car accident.

    How can a TBI affect your life?

    Brain injuries that can be classified under the heading of a TBI should be taken very seriously. This type of severe brain injury can have a negative impact on the quality of your life, including changes to your cognitive abilities, the average quality of your mental state and even your daily behavior.

    The symptoms that are most commonly associated with a brain injury of this type can range in severity. They will usually include loss of memory, insomnia, anxiety, headaches and loss of ability to focus. They can also include problems with your ability to speak and the loss of control over your emotions.

    What to do if you get a TBI

    It’s a very good idea to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident. This is due to the fact that your injuries may be far more severe than you may realize. Even if you don’t think you’re badly injured, you should still go to the hospital for a checkup. This will be the best way to discover potentially serious injuries.

    Another reason to go to the hospital is to get your injuries documented by a physician. This is evidence that you need to present to your insurance company when you file your claim. The more evidence you have for your injuries, the harder it will be for the company to dispute it.