Far too many motor vehicle accidents result in serious injuries. Among the most serious is the closed head injury. It can leave the victim with problems affecting memory, language, cognition, executive function, and motor control. It can also cause permanent changes in personality.
These are complex cases that require and attorney with experience and skill. The attorney needs to understand the medical and psychological aspects of closed head injuries. The attorney needs to know how to handle and prepare a complex case. The attorney needs to understand insurance issues so that all potential sources of recovery are fully explored. And the attorney needs to be able to have the communication and interpersonal skills necessary to work well with the victim of the injury and the victim's family.
Consider the report of a motor vehicle accident that took place in an intersection that was controlled by a stop sign as well as flashing lights. Instead of stopping or even slowing down, the driver of a van sped into the intersection slamming into a car driven by a woman.
The female victim, who was 31 year old at the time of the accident, spent five months in a coma after the accident. The coma was the result of a head injury she suffered from the impact. After the coma she was left with deficits with her short-term memory and concentration. She also experienced problems with her motor control. These deficits and problems left her permanently disabled. As a result, she was not only unable to return to her job where she had been earning $30,000 a year but she will require living assistance for the rest of her life.
The law firm that handled the matter sued not only the driver but also the driver's employer. The employer was liable because the driver was acting within the scope of his employment at the time of the accident. The firm reported that they were able to achieve a settlement from the defendants with a present value of $7 million. As part of the settlement the defendant made an upfront cash payment of $3 million.
This case is just one example that motor vehicle accidents involving head injuries can and do leave victims with devastating permanent disabilities, both cognitive and physical. Attorneys handling these cases need to make sure that the full nature and extent of the injuries are determined through comprehensive physical as well as neuropsychological testing. These cases are likely to involve complex medical, liability, insurance, and even asset protection issues and will require the use of experts. The attorney will need to use his or her skill and experience to navigate through these complex issues and to explore all possible sources of recovery.