Accidental injuries can drastically change the course of your life. Although many injuries have relatively simple treatments available, others can have more lasting effects. A broken bone, for example, can be set and begin to heal within hours of the trauma. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), on the other hand, continue to impact someone for the rest of their life, despite skilled medical care.
Because of the long-term consequences and potentially life-altering symptoms of brain injuries, it often becomes necessary for those whose brains get hurt in an accident to look at a combination of insurance benefits and civil lawsuits to cover the expenses and losses associated with their injury.
Traumatic brain injuries can mean the end of a career
One of the hardest things about a brain injury is that it can change everything about who you are and how your life goes. Your brain houses your personality and your memory, as well as your motor control. If any of these areas suffer permanent consequences as a result of a brain injury, you may not be able to continue in your chosen profession.
That could mean a drastic reduction in or total elimination of your income. If you can't stay at your job, that will make it harder for you to continue connecting with the services you need as someone with a brain injury.
Many times, brain injuries are the result of preventable accidents
People can wind up hurting their heads for a number of reasons. Sometimes, they slip and strike their head on the floor or a piece of furniture. Other times, they engage in recreational activities, like trampoline bouncing, which results in an accident and an injury. It could also be a motor vehicle accident that causes injury to someone's head.
Regardless of how someone suffers their injuries, one of the most important questions to answer is who is responsible for the injury. Did you get hurt in a store because someone didn't mop the floor? Did another driver run a red light, causing you to crash? Once you determine who has legal responsibility for the accident, you will be better informed about how to protect yourself and get compensation for your injuries.
In some cases, business, vehicle or property insurance in New York will cover some or all of your costs. Other times, they will only offer a certain amount of coverage. At that point, you may need to consider civil action.
Sitting down to talk about your situation with an experienced New York personal injury attorney can help you make sense of liability and potential options. The sooner you start exploring your rights, the sooner you may be able to connect with compensation that can offset your lost wages and help you cover the medical costs associated with your injury.