When you or a loved one suffers a traumatic brain injury, your entire life can be turned upside down in a split second. The impacts can affect your home life, career, and finances. However, if someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused the incident leading to your injury, a Belleville, IL brain injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation. 

Bradley Law understands how debilitating brain injuries can be and how they can destroy your life quality. While compensation can’t turn back time and make you well again, it could help you access innovative medical treatments and avert the financial instability that comes with a severe injury. You don’t have to go it alone. Get help today and contact us for a free case review.

What are the Most Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Belleville?

A brain injury can occur in various accidents and incidents. According to the National Library of Medicine, falls and motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries. Other causes include:

  • Getting struck by an object
  • Blast injuries in explosions
  • Sports injuries
  • Being hit by a bullet or a weapon

Whatever caused your brain injury, if another is responsible for the incident, such as a car accident, assault, or slip and fall, you could qualify for compensation. A Belleville, IL brain injury lawyer can help you understand your options and file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue damages.

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Common Brain Injuries in Personal Injury Claims

Brain injuries can be debilitating and lead to a range of cognitive issues, including memory loss, communication problems, and personality changes, among others. While minor brain injuries, such as mild concussions, may heal on their own, damage to the brain itself is typically irreversible. 

Here are some common brain injuries that can occur in slips and falls, motor vehicle accidents, and other personal injury incidents:

  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A TBI is typically caused by trauma to the head, for example, in a car crash, fall, or work accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBIs are a leading cause of disability and death.  
  • Concussion: A concussion can be common in even minor car accidents and is a type of TBI. Concussions are often considered minor injuries, but they can cause behavioral problems, mood swings, and temporary brain function disruption.
  • Penetrating Brain Injuries: Penetrating brain injuries involve an object piercing the skull and entering the brain. They occur in car crashes, shootings, assaults, and other incidents. Penetrating brain injuries are typically severe, life-threatening, and require immediate medical treatment.  
  • Skull Fractures: Skull fractures occasionally occur in serious motor vehicle accidents or when a person is hit with a weapon, such as a hammer or a baseball bat. While hairline fractures can be relatively harmless, more severe skull fractures can cause bleeding, infection, leaking of cerebrospinal fluid, and permanent brain damage. 

If you suffered these or other brain injuries in an accident or incident that was someone else’s fault, contact a Belleville, IL brain injury lawyer promptly. Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can assess your case and move forward with a compensation claim.

Why Choose a Belleville, IL Brain Injury Lawyer at Bradley Law?

Not all law firms are the same. Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers is a boutique law firm that treats you like an individual, not a number. We take the time to offer you personalized service and have the resources to match much larger firms. We can fight your case all the way to trial if needed. Other reasons to choose our Belleville, IL brain injury lawyers:

  • We can be by your side from start to finish of your legal claim
  • Our attorneys know how to value the full impact of a brain injury on your life
  • We can gather evidence to prove liability and build a strong case 
  • Our attorneys know how to handle the medical and legal complexities that brain injury claims entail
  • We don’t charge you anything upfront 
  • Our attorneys have earned several prestigious awards and top ratings from Martindale Hubbell and Avvo, underscoring our expertise 

We have seen the devastating impacts of brain injuries in our practice and understand what victims and families are going through. We know you need a fair settlement for the medical treatments and care required to rebuild your life. Our lawyers leave no stone unturned in helping brain injury victims recover maximum potential compensation.

You Could Be Entitled to Compensation

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If someone else’s negligence caused your brain injury and financial damages, you may be entitled to compensation. Here are some examples of damages recoverable in brain injury cases:

  • Medical Expenses: Healthcare costs can include all current and future medical bills related to your brain injury, such as surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
  • Lost Income: If your injury prevents you from working or reduces your future earning capacity, you could receive compensation for lost wages and future lost income.
  • Pain and Suffering: Brain injuries can cause significant physical pain and emotional distress. You could recover non-economic damages, including awards for pain, trauma, and mental anguish.
  • Disability and Impairment: If your brain injury results in permanent impairment, you may receive compensation for disability and loss of life enjoyment.
  • Loss of Consortium: If the injury impacts your relationships with loved ones, your spouse or family members could recover awards for the loss of your companionship, support, and guidance.
  • Punitive Damages: When the responsible party showed extreme recklessness or acted maliciously in causing your injuries, you could also recover punitive damages.

FAQs – Ask a Belleville, IL Brain Injury Lawyer 

How do I know whether I have a brain injury?

Sometimes, victims walk away from a car crash or fall feeling fine, only to discover later that they suffer from a serious injury. While symptoms of a brain injury can be non-specific and may seem harmless, make sure to get yourself checked out if you experience these (or other) symptoms of a traumatic brain injury:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Memory loss
  • Confusion
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures

Your best next step after a car accident is to seek medical advice instantly, especially if you’re experiencing any symptoms, no matter how minor they may seem. 

How long will my brain injury case take?

We understand that you’ll want to settle your case as soon as possible. After all, there are bills to pay. However, it’s impossible to tell at the outset how long your claim will take. The length of your case can depend on many factors, including the severity of your brain injury, your case’s complexity, and the willingness of the liable party or parties to settle. 

While settling out of court can be quicker and may only take a couple of months, going to trial may be necessary to get the compensation you truly deserve. While a case going to trial could take a year or longer, patience can pay off, especially when an insurance company is dragging its heels and trying to shortchange you. 

How much is my brain injury case worth?

No two brain injury claims are the same. The impact of an injury on your life can look different from the impact on another’s life. For example, a brain injury could stop you from working and supporting your family, while another victim may be retired. 

This is why you need an experienced Belleville, IL brain injury lawyer to assess your individual case and circumstances. They can calculate your specific damages and arrive at a fair compensation figure. You could recover the following damages and others: 

If you or a loved one experienced a brain injury, the consequences of the injury could last for many years and even a lifetime. Don’t accept less than you deserve. Our Belleville, IL brain injury lawyers know when an insurance company is lowballing you, and we can stand up for your rights.

When should I file a brain injury lawsuit in Belleville, IL?

According to the Illinois Statute of Limitations, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit and seek compensation for your injuries. The time starts ticking on the day you are injured. However, there can be factors that could shorten or lengthen the time available to file a lawsuit. It is crucial to know your deadline, as filing too late could prohibit you from recovering compensation. 

Consider seeking legal advice promptly after suffering a brain injury. A Belleville, IL brain injury lawyer can determine the best timing for your lawsuit and ensure you’re not missing any crucial deadlines. 

How much does a brain injury lawyer in Belleville, IL charge?

Most injury lawyers charge a contingency fee, meaning you only pay if they win your case and recover compensation for you. The attorney’s fee will be a percentage of your final recovery amount, typically around one-third. 

However, make sure to raise the topic of fees with your prospective attorney. Some handle cases on a retainer basis or charge hourly fees, and you could end up paying an attorney whether you win or lose your case. 

Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers don’t charge you anything while working on your case. We only get our fee when you win compensation. When working with us, you’ll never have to worry about any hidden fees or costs. 

We Don’t Leave Money on the Table

When you or a loved one suffers a brain injury, you may not know the full extent of your present and future damages. This is why it can be crucial to work with a skilled Belleville, IL brain injury lawyer, who can assess your past, present, and expected future damages comprehensively and pursue maximum compensation.

Our dedicated injury lawyers know how to fight the big insurance companies and won’t back down, even if it means going to trial. We never settle for an insurer’s best offer if you deserve more. Contact us today to determine your legal options and the best next steps in a free consultation.