San Francisco Brain Injury Lawyer
No win, no fee: You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
A traumatic brain injury isn’t always visible, but it can have a massive impact on someone’s health and ability to work. Sometimes, the effects never fully go away.
If your brain injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you have every right to seek damages for the harm it caused. Those responsible should be held accountable.
But time matters. In California, you generally only have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Leave it any longer than this, and you might lose out on compensation that’s legally yours.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a “brain injury that is caused by an outside force,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It is often caused by a blow, jolt, or bump to the head or body. Some injuries appear immediately, while others develop over time.
In many cases, a traumatic brain injury requires extensive medical treatment and long-term care. It might prevent someone from being able to work and carry out everyday tasks.
A San Francisco brain injury attorney can determine whether someone else’s negligence caused what happened to you. If it did, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for losses that result from the accident.
Recommended reading: Brain Injuries: Advice From a San Francisco Attorney
Common Causes of Brain Injuries in San Francisco
Unfortunately, brain injuries often happen during accidents that could have been prevented. Some of the most common causes include:
Automobile accidents
Road traffic collisions are a major cause of traumatic brain injury. Even if a vehicle has airbags and other safety features, the sheer force of an impact can cause long-lasting head trauma. Speak with an automobile accident attorney in San Francisco if you’ve been involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle crash.
Recommended reading: Most Dangerous Streets in San Francisco
Slip and fall accidents
Falling on a concrete sidewalk or other hard surface may lead to a brain injury, with falls accounting for nearly half of all TBI-related hospitalizations in the U.S. A slip and fall lawyer can help determine who’s responsible.
Pedestrian accidents
Pedestrians are vulnerable to serious injuries in traffic collisions because they have little protection against the force of a moving vehicle. These accidents are more likely to occur in busy locations such as the Mission District and Union Square. Contact a San Francisco pedestrian accident attorney if you’ve been hit by a car while walking.
Defective products
Faulty household items, medical devices, and other defective products can also contribute to brain injuries.
How a Brain Injury Can Affect Your Life
The effects of a TBI are serious and often extend beyond the initial accident.
Victims may experience:
- Headaches
- Speech problems
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Mood changes
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Depression or anxiety
And that’s just the physical side of things. In some cases, these injuries can interfere with someone’s relationship, career, and overall quality of life.
Research shows that one year after a TBI, the number of people who were working decreased by 55 percent, while the number of those without jobs increased by 425 percent. People with a TBI are also more likely to see their incomes decrease and have to claim public assistance.
This is why filing a brain injury claim is so important. Doing so lets you hold the negligent party accountable and pursue compensation under California personal injury law. While no amount of money can make up for what you’ve been through, it could help you rebuild your life.
Do You Have a Valid Brain Injury Claim?
Not every head injury qualifies for compensation. However, we find that many victims don’t take legal action because they assume they don’t have a case.
You may be able to file a brain injury claim in California if:
- You slipped and hit your head in a store, restaurant, or another public place
- You were involved in a car or pedestrian accident somewhere in San Francisco
- A property owner failed to fix a known hazard, such as broken stairs or poor lighting
- You were struck by a falling object at a construction site
These are just a few examples, and brain injury claims can result from many different situations. As long as your injury happened because of someone else’s negligence, you could have grounds to pursue compensation. Contact a personal injury lawyer in San Francisco to learn more.
How Much Is a Brain Injury Case Worth in San Francisco?
It depends on the situation. A case involving a mild TBI may result in a settlement ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Those with more severe injuries, such as long-term cognitive impairment, might receive even higher payouts.
Factors that can affect how much compensation you may receive include:
- The extent of your medical treatment
- Whether you require ongoing care or support
- The impact of your injury on your ability to work
- How easy it is to prove liability
Why Hire a San Francisco Brain Injury Lawyer?
Brain injury claims can be exhausting, especially when you’re trying to focus on recovery. An experienced brain injury attorney in the Bay Area like Stoll & Haynes can:
- Investigate your case and find out who’s responsible
- Calculate the full value of your damages
- Negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Represent you in court, if it comes to that
Brain Injury FAQs
You may have a claim if your brain injury was caused by someone else’s negligence. It’s important to seek medical attention and legal guidance as soon as possible.
You need to show that another party’s negligence caused your injury and that the injury resulted in real harm. This may involve collecting evidence such as medical records, witness testimonies, and accident reports. A brain injury lawyer in San Francisco can help.
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and other damages.
Not always. In fact, most personal injury cases settle before going to trial. If your case can’t be resolved through settlement negotiation, your attorney might recommend filing a lawsuit.
Some brain injury law firms work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay any attorney’s fees unless they recover compensation for you.
Contact a San Francisco Brain Injury Lawyer
Brain injury claims have strict deadlines under California law. Waiting too long could mean you lose out on compensation.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need advice about your specific situation, please contact Stoll & Haynes directly.