Steps After Suffering a Trucking Accident Brain Injury
If you have suffered a brain injury due to a trucking accident in Oakland, it can be difficult to figure out what to do next. After all, a brain injury can impact your cognitive abilities and you may feel completely “out of it.” You may also be unfamiliar with the legal process that immediately follows a trucking accident in California. On top of all of this, you may also be struggling with various medical appointments, hospital bills, tests, and many other healthcare obligations. With all of these factors in mind, it is important to develop a clear, step-by-step plan and move forward in an efficient manner.
This overall process is much easier when you are working with an experienced personal injury attorney. These legal professionals can guide you forward, helping make sure that you are covering all your bases. After suffering a trucking accident brain injury in Oakland, the next few weeks and months can seem quite overwhelming. In truth, it is too much for just one person to handle. When you enlist the help of an injury attorney, you can let them do the heavy lifting. Instead of worrying about the legal process, you can focus on what is important — getting the treatment you need and healing.
If you have been searching for a personal injury attorney in Oakland, it is important to work with someone you feel you can depend on. Mary Alexander & Associates has been working with brain injury victims for many years, and this firm is passionate about fighting for your rights. With our assistance, you can receive the settlement you need to handle medical expenses, missed wages, and any other damages you might have incurred due to your accident.
Step One: Get Medical Attention Immediately
Your health is the primary concern after suffering a brain injury. Although you may be concerned about the legal aspects of your accident, this can wait. The first thing you need to do is get medical treatment for your head injury. In some cases, you will be transported directly to the hospital after your accident. In other situations, it could be your responsibility to get yourself assessed and treated by a medical professional.
Remember, head injuries are often difficult to spot. In some cases, you might be totally unaware that you have even suffered a head injury. For example, you might be in a state of shock after your crash. Or perhaps your head injury has triggered a state of amnesia or confusion, leading you to believe that your crash was much less serious than it actually was.
Even if you are transported directly to a hospital, your medical treatment does not end after you have been discharged. You need to be quite proactive and follow up with visits to various specialists, such as neurologists. You also need to get various tests done, such as a CT scan. These tests can help you determine how serious your injury really is.
Step Two: Gather Evidence
Once you feel confident about your medical treatment, you can start collecting evidence. While you should always focus on your health after an accident, you might want to take photographs of the crash scene before you leave. Once you start getting medical treatment, make sure to keep your receipts and ask for copies of your medical records. Ask doctors to put their prognoses and diagnoses in writing so that you have a clear written record. If you get tests done like a CT scan, request copies of the images.
These medical records and documents are incredibly important for your personal injury lawsuit, especially in the case of a brain injury. When a plaintiff walks into a courtroom with a broken leg, the jury can immediately see that they have suffered a serious injury. However, that might not be the case with a brain injury victim. These individuals may appear to be completely normal for all intents and purposes while dealing with severe mental and emotional difficulties.
Medical records help you and your attorney show that your brain injury is legitimate and potentially life-altering. This is why it is so important to actually get the medical treatment you need after suffering a brain injury. If you do not get medical treatment, these medical records are never “created,” so to speak. And if you do not have any medical records to back up your claims, you are walking into the courtroom empty-handed.
Step Three: Get in Touch With a Lawyer
After getting the treatment you need and gathering evidence along the way, you should get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible. After you connect with a personal injury attorney, you can begin the process of filing a personal injury claim. At this point, your attorney will handle many of the important tasks going forward. They can also help you compile and gather even more evidence. In addition, your attorney can help you negotiate with insurance companies before the trial in order to help you get an adequate settlement that will cover all of your expenses.
Choosing the right attorney is important. You should choose a lawyer who has considerable experience with personal injury cases. Ideally, you should team up with an attorney who has handled head injury lawsuits in the past. In addition, it’s important to work with a lawyer who you feel you can trust. Over the next few weeks and months, you’ll be working closely with your attorney, and it helps to develop a strong working relationship.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you have been searching the Oakland area for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. We understand that suffering a brain injury can be incredibly traumatic, and we can help you move forward in a calm, confident manner. No one should have to suffer needlessly while dealing with this serious injury, especially when a negligent truck driver or operator is at fault. Reach out today, and we can schedule a consultation. We will listen to your specific priorities and concerns and create an effective strategy based on these factors. You deserve the compensation you need to handle medical expenses and missed wages, so do not delay.
