Brain Injury Lawyer in Washington State
Home / Practice Areas / Head & Brain Injuries
Brain injuries often change victims’ lives in a matter of seconds. Whether they happen in a car accident, slip and fall, or in another type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the impacts may be life-long.
The medical bills you’ll experience can instantly destroy your financial standing, while the damage can prevent you from working again. It is vital that you get brain injury legal support in Washington as soon as possible to recover the compensation you deserve. Choose Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group to work with a Washington State brain injury attorney who will fight for you.
We understand the complexities of brain injuries and have the experience, backed by a proven success rate with these claims. In just the last five years, our dedicated team has helped our clients obtain over $113 million in compensation for their injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a brain trauma lawyer in Washington and learn more about how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
The Impact of Brain Injuries on Victims and Their Families
Every brain injury is different, and when someone sustains one in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, the impacts can be profound. Some traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are closed, meaning that the brain has suffered injury by violently coming into contact with the skull. Penetrating traumatic brain injuries occur when an object has punctured through the skull and into the brain.
When brain injuries occur, they can be mild, moderate, or severe. The most troubling aspect of these types of injuries is that in closed TBIs, the symptoms may not appear immediately. It may take hours or days to notice that something is wrong, and by that time, the damage may already be done.
For these reasons, it is vital to seek immediate medical treatment after a car crash or other type of accident to check for these types of injuries and get the care you need. The medical bills that come from treating these injuries as well as the amount of time missed at work can put you in a precarious financial situation. Additionally, families often see emotional changes in their loved ones, such as irritability and personality changes, making brain injuries even more difficult to overcome.
If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact us today to discuss your case with a Washington State brain injury attorney.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can occur in a variety of ways, with motor vehicle accidents among the most common.
Motor Vehicle Crashes
Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents often lead to victims suffering from traumatic brain injuries. While these injuries occur when the head directly hits an object such as the steering wheel or pavement, it is important to note that a TBI can occur through the force of the crash.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Faulty railings on stairways, broken steps, cracks in the pavement, and icy sidewalks are just a few examples of things that can lead to a slip and fall. When these incidents occur, victims can hit their heads, leaving them suffering a brain injury.
Workplace Injuries
Some worksites are more dangerous than others, particularly those in the construction and industrial field. If someone falls from a great height or suffers an accident that causes them to hit their head, they may end up with a head injury.
Regardless of the accident type, brain injuries can take hours, days, or even weeks to appear, highlighting the need for prompt medical care following these types of events. You may experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, mood or behavioral changes, and sleep disturbances, among other symptoms.
No matter how a TBI is caused, if it was the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation. First, get immediate medical care, then seek the representation of a brain trauma lawyer in Washington from Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group.
Legal Processes Involved in Brain Injury Cases
If your brain injury was caused by the negligent actions of another person or entity, personal injury law allows you to seek compensation for your losses. This will require proving that the other party was negligent in order to hold them liable.
There are four elements of negligence that all must be satisfied to have a valid claim. This requires showing the defendant owed you a duty of care, such as in a car accident where all drivers on the road owe one another the duty of following traffic laws and driving safely. This duty can be breached by the defendant’s behavior, such as by drinking and driving or running a red light. The breach needs to have caused injuries and harm and result in damages.
On paper, this may sound simple but there are a variety of challenges that can arise. Since Washington is an at-fault state, it is possible to be partially blamed for causing your injuries. Under the pure comparative negligence rule that the state follows, you may still pursue a claim as long as you are 99% or less at fault, though this would significantly reduce your settlement.
Insurance companies will always seek out ways to reduce the payout awarded or deny the claim entirely. It is in your best interests to get brain injury legal support in Washington to avoid the common pitfalls that can arise in these scenarios.
The Role of a Lawyer in Negotiating Settlements and Court Proceedings
When you or a family member have sustained a traumatic brain injury from an accident that a careless person caused, it can be a challenge to advocate for what you deserve without an attorney. Insurers tend to take advantage because they know you are sinking into debt from the medical bills while being unable to work.
It adds more stress to your recovery, since you should be following doctors’ orders rather than trying to find your way through the legal landscape. An attorney from Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group ensures that you have an advocate who will step up for you.
Investigating and Gathering Evidence
When an accident causes brain injuries, some people may seem fine in the aftermath. Others may lose consciousness at the scene and be rushed to the hospital. In either scenario, having an attorney is vital to launch a thorough investigation and gather evidence that proves the other party’s liability.
Calculating the Full Value of Your Compensation
Insurance agents are trained to exude sympathy but it’s a common tactic to get you to make statements that can be used against you. They may also tell you that they can only offer you a limited payout, which may be far less than the expenses you incurred as a result of their negligent policyholder. Our attorneys examine the facts of the case and diligently calculate the full extent of your damages.
Negotiating for What’s Fair
After suffering a brain injury, you shouldn’t be put into the position of having to negotiate for the money you deserve. Your lawyer knows how to stand up to the big insurance companies and seek full and fair compensation for your losses.
Courtroom Advocate
While it’s certainly true that most personal injury cases settle before they go to the courtroom, our attorneys are always ready to take a case to trial. We will do everything we can to reach a fair settlement through negotiations, but if the other side refuses to agree, we’re ready to litigate.
Client-Focused Approach
When a brain injury happens to you or someone you love, it can feel like the world has turned upside down. The physical injury along with the mental impacts and symptoms it causes can make your recovery far more challenging than that of other TBI victims. Our attorneys make sure to prioritize your needs and give you the full legal support you deserve to help see you through to better days ahead.
Compensation for Brain Injuries in Washington State
Accident victims who sustain traumatic brain injuries can receive economic and non-economic damages. You will likely be able to recover the financial losses from your medical bills, including hospitalization, surgery, and physical therapy. You may also be able to seek lost wages or modifications to your future earning capacity.
Victims of TBI often have life-altering consequences that impede them from being able to enjoy life as they once did. There may be permanent damage that can never be repaired, allowing you to seek pain and suffering damages as well as damages for permanent disability and loss of enjoyment of life.
The steps you take after these traumatic events are crucial in getting the compensation you deserve. Right after your accident, call 911 so the police can file a report and you can get medical attention. Then, seek our legal assistance to help you ensure that your settlement is full and fair. Contact Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group today to schedule your free initial consultation.