In a Car Accident Settlement, How are TBIs Calculated?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 2.87 million people in the United States suffer from some form of brain injury. Around 50,000 will die due to their injuries, and another 80,000 will experience long-term disability.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur due to various causes, including falls, car accidents, and sports-related activities. In particular, traffic accidents, such as motorcycle crashes and bicycle accidents, can result in life-threatening injuries, especially if victims are not wearing a helmet.
The effects of brain injuries can be devastating. Many survivors experience lifelong disabilities such as paralysis, cognitive impairments, and personality changes. These disabilities can make it difficult or impossible for survivors to live independently or hold down a job.
Fortunately, there are many resources available to help survivors and their families cope with the challenges of brain injury. Many people can lead full and productive lives despite their injuries with the proper support.
If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, it is crucial to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. Brain injuries can worsen over time, so it is important to have someone on your side who can fight insurance companies on your behalf and ensure that you have the money you need to put your life back together again.
How Do Insurance Companies Evaluate TBIs?
Insurance companies often arrive at a number for pain and suffering and injury in a car accident settlement by calculating the victim's medical bills. However, the calculation is often much more complicated for brain injuries. This is because the full extent of a brain injury may not be immediately apparent. In addition, the long-term effects of such an injury can be challenging to predict. As a result, insurance companies typically err on the side of caution when calculating settlements for victims of TBIs.
Insurance companies use a few different methods to calculate settlements for TBIs. One approach is to multiply the victim's medical bills by a particular factor. This factor is usually between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of the victim's injuries.
Another method that insurance companies use to calculate TBIs' settlements is the "permanent impairment rating." This method considers the victim's age, education level, and employment history. The insurance company then assigns a percentage of impairment based on these factors. This percentage is then used to calculate the settlement amount.
Finally, some insurance companies use a combination of both medical bills and the permanent impairment rating to determine settlements for TBIs.
No matter which method is used, it is important to keep in mind that these calculations are only estimates. The final settlement amount is always something you can fight for. For this reason, it is important to have an experienced lawyer in your corner from the very start.
If you have been involved in a car accident and have suffered a TBI, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney is important. An attorney can help you understand the different methods that insurance companies use to calculate settlements and fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Denver TBI Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury in a Denver accident, we can help. Call The Gold Law Firm today.
We can meet with you for a FREE and 100% confidential evaluation to answer all your questions. Call us today for a free consultation at 303-694-4653. With offices in Denver, Brush, Durango, and Loveland, we are here to help you.