BenGlassLaw Car Accident Lawyers Win $115,000 Verdict after Emmet Street Accident
Our client was traveling north in the 400 block of Emmet Street, South when he slowed to a stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, as required by law. Unfortunately, the defendant was driving directly behind him, was not paying attention and rear-ended him.
The Property Damage
Due to the impact, his vehicle sustained $3,361.40 in property damage
The Injury from the Car Accident
Following the crash, he felt unusual pressure in the back of his head, but thought his bell war rung and he would recover shortly.
When he did not get better soon, and became increasingly irritable, developed chronic insomnia and had some cognitive issues, he sought treatment with head injury specialist. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with a closed head injury, a mild traumatic brain injury after a concussion.
A “closed head injury” means someone has hurt their head, but there’s no break in the skull. Imagine bumping your head really hard on something but without getting a cut. Inside the head, the brain can still be hurt from moving around suddenly or hitting against the skull. This can happen from things like falling, being in a car crash, or hitting your head during sports. Even though you might not see any injuries outside, the inside of the head can be injured, which can cause headaches, confusion, or feeling dizzy. It’s important to see a doctor if someone hits their head hard, even if they look okay, because the brain is very delicate and needs to be checked.
He underwent additional testing, including a brain MRI, and EEG and further cognitive testing.
Over the course of about a year, he gradually recovered back to his pre-injury condition, but spent a lot of time with head injury specialists over the course of most of that year.
Even a Minor Impact Car Accident Can Cause a Significant Head Injury
When involved in a car accident, especially one where your vehicle is hit from behind, it’s crucial to pay attention to any post-accident symptoms, such as increased irritability, sleep loss, and cognitive decline. These symptoms could be indicative of a head injury, even if the accident occurred at a low speed and resulted in minor property damage. The force of a rear-end collision can cause the head to snap back and forth rapidly, potentially leading to concussions or other forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which may not immediately present severe symptoms. Consulting with a head injury specialist is imperative in these situations. A specialist can conduct thorough evaluations and tests to diagnose any potential injuries accurately. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing long-term consequences and ensuring a proper recovery.
At BenGlassLaw, we understand the complexities of post-accident trauma and the importance of specialized medical care, advocating for the well-being of our clients to secure the best possible outcome for their case.
The Insurance Company Refused to Make a Reasonable Offer Because of the “Low Impact”
The defendant’s insurance company never took the case seriously, making a final offer of just $17,345, citing the fact that there was minor property damage.
The Charlottesville Jury Verdict
The case went to trial over the course of two days, our evidence was presented. Defense experts who felt this was no big deal were cross examined and then final arguments were made to the jury.
The jury awarded $115,000 our client.
BenGlassLaw has represented car accident victims, including those who have suffered a head injury from an accident, for over 25 years.
Brian Glass heads up the car accident division of BenGlassLaw and has a great deal of experience in representing car accident victims who have suffered a brain injury from a minor impact case.
BenGlassLaw represents personal injury and long term disability clients all over Virginia and the Fairfax law firm has over 300 reviews online for its injury and disability work.
Other Important Virginia Personal Injury Articles
- The Essential Duties of a Car Accident Lawyer
- How Are My Medical Bills Paid After a Car Accident In Virginia?
- Injured in an Uber? Tips for Virginia Ridesharing Claims