SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT CLAIMS & INJURIES YOU’RE CLAIM PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS When someone is involved in a serious car accident they may receive injuries as severe as broken bones, head injuries, concussions, whiplash or spinal cord injuries. If you are seriously injured in a car accident it is important to learn what your rights are, and who you can trust to help. Filing a claim for a serious injury can be confusing and frustrating. Often you will feel like it is you against the insurance company. While the adjustor who works for your insurance company may answer your questions, you will quickly learn the adjustor works for the insurance company and will protect the company's interests above your own. Do not be surprised to find that the insurance company will resist offering you full and fair money damages for your injury and financial losses. Remember, as soon as you come in contact with the insurance adjuster, they work to lessen their exposure and shift blame to you. Because of the dual role insurance companies play it is important to have an experienced car accident lawyer working for you before you begin dealing with the insurance company, or give a statement to the company adjuster. WIDE PERSPECTIVE It is also vital to maintain a wide perspective. In some cases a claim for personal injuries from a car accident may also be brought against individuals other than the negligent driver. If the driver was employed by a company or individual then the employer may be responsible for the driver's negligence and the resulting damages. Moreover, if the driver was driving someone else's car during the accident, the owner of the vehicle may also be liable for the negligence of the driver. Also, if your car accident happened while you were at work, you may be entitled to compensation from your own employer. An experienced car accident lawyer working on your behalf will know how to approach your individual incident from every perspective. Remember; you have been faithfully paying your car insurance premiums for years. You deserve to get everything you are entitled to, and everything for which you have paid. Be smart; do not face the insurance company alone. Shook & Stone will stand beside you and aggressively fight for the justice you deserve. We will protect your current rights and your future security. We believe in our clients. You deserve “The Benefits of the Shook & Stone Excellence!" YOUR INJURIES Head Injuries Brain trauma can be caused by a direct impact or by sudden acceleration or declaration alone. This violent movement of the fragile brain tissue within the skull can cause internal bleeding, bruising or even swelling. Car Accidents are one of the leading causes of head and brain injuries in America. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) causes over 50,000 deaths and approximately 80,000 long-term disabilities each year. The financial cost of Traumatic Brain Injury in Americas exceeds $30 billion annually. The brain is a complex organ that is composed of many sections, each controlling different functions of the body. When the brain is injured it can result in devastating effects to the victim. The personality, physical being and mental state of the victim may be altered after a brain injury. A person who has suffered a brain injury may not be able to continue living the way they did before the injury. Some areas that may be affected as a result of brain injury may include: · Speech & language · Sequencing · Attention · Personality · Physical movement · Abstract reasoning · Problem solving · Visual skills · Reading · Memory · Mood · Hand eye coordination · Seizures · Balance · Swallowing Furthermore, TBI can impact the lives of family members and loved ones as they now have to help in the recovery process and deal with emotions, doctors, hospital staff and insurance companies. This process can be emotionally and financial draining on both the victim and their loved ones. Fortunately, there have recently been significant developments in the science of diagnosis and treatment. These advancements have decreased death rates and long term disabilities and significantly improved the overall outcome of TBI. Depending on the injury, treatment may be minimal, or in serious injuries it may include emergency surgery. Long term treatment may even include physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy for rehabilitation. It is easy to see the costs can be staggering and well beyond the limits of ordinary people. Most people quickly realize they need professional legal help. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, Shook & Stone will fight to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for their actions. In the past we have worked tirelessly to help many victims throughout Nevada to secure substantial financial settlements in TBI cases. Today, we can do the same for you. You deserve “The Benefits of the Shook & Stone Excellence!" Concussions Concussion comes from the Latin 'concutera' which means to shake violently; it is the most common type of TBI and the brain injury with which most people are familiar. The concussion may be caused by a blow to the head or by sudden acceleration without any direct impact. It is not known if the concussed brain is structurally damaged the way it is in other types of brain injury or whether concussions mainly entails the loss of function with physiological but not structural changes. However, the concussion can disrupt cellular processes in the brain for days or weeks. The concussion can cause a variety of physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Symptoms are dependent on the severity of the injury. With a mild concussion the victim may remain conscious or may lose consciousness for a few second or minutes. Other symptoms include headaches, vomiting, dizziness, lack of motor coordination and blurred vision. Emotional symptoms may include behavioral or mood changes, confusion, trouble with memory, concentration, attention or thinking. Any time you or a loved one receives a violent strike to the head you should seek medical attention immediately. Treatment of concussions involves monitoring and rest. Symptoms usually go away entirely within three weeks, however they may persist much longer, or more severe complications may occur. Spinal Cord Injury Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) are the result of a traumatic event that damages the cells within the spinal cord or actually severs the nerve tracts that relay signals up and down the spinal cord. There are several types of SCI; contusion is a bruising of the spinal cord, compression is caused by pressure on the spinal cord, laceration is the severing or tearing of nerve fibers, and central cord syndrome which is specific damage to the cortico spinal tracts of the cervical region of the spinal cord. A spinal cord injury can result in partial paralysis, paraplegia, and in the worst case, quadriplegia. Paralysis is the loss of strength in a limb or muscle group, resulting in limited motion or limited mobility. Paralysis is usually the result of damage to the nerve cells that run from the brain, down the spinal cord, to the various muscles throughout the body. The severity of the paralysis depends upon the location of the injury. The different types of paralysis follow: · Paraplegia - legs are partially or completely paralyzed · Quadriplegia – both legs and arms are paralyzed · Monoplegia – one limb is paralyzed · Diplegia – The same region of the body on both sides is paralyzed · Hemiplegia – one side of the body is paralyzed If someone is the victim of any degree of paralysis they may require a lifetime of medical care and constant supervision. Some paralysis victims are never able to live independently again. Because of the possibility of a lifetime of disadvantages from SCI, Shook & Stone will fight to make sure you get compensation to cover not only medical bills, but also living expenses for the lifetime of the patient. You deserve “The Benefits of the Shook & Stone Excellence!" Neck Injury and Whiplash Injuries to the soft tissues of the neck can occur if the neck is extended beyond its normal range of motion. This condition is commonly known as whiplash, and is usually caused when the head snaps backwards or forwards very quickly. Whiplash like many car accident injuries may not be apparent for several days after the accident. Fortunately, whiplash is one of the easiest injuries to diagnose. The doctor will either examine the range of head movement and associated discomfort or use x-rays to check for fractures of the vertebrae or a misalignment of the neck. The long term results of whiplash can be unbearable headaches, neck and back pain, and the restriction of ordinary movement. Whiplash can also reconfigure the natural shape of the neck and cause even more vertebrae pain and suffering. The pain and suffering from whiplash can last for a long time, and serious cases can result in arthritic degeneration. One out of ten cases of whiplash injuries can lead to long-term or chronic disability. Because whiplash is familiar, and the most common of neck injuries, many people believe whiplash is insignificant and can be treated with heating pads and a few aspirin. Do not dismiss the consequences of whiplash. Shook & Stone vigorously pursue compensation to cover treatment costs and the often forgotten price of pain and suffering. Experience has taught Shook & Stone to treat whiplash seriously! So should you! You deserve “The Benefits of the Shook & Stone Excellence!" Medical Treatment The Shook & Stone law firm has dealt with thousands of serious car accident injuries and urges you to seek immediate medical attention after any car accident. Remember, you are not a trained medical professional; do not self diagnose. Only a doctor can diagnose the extent of your injury and your need for further treatment. Legal Assistance If you or someone you love was injured in a Nevada motor vehicle accident, you must contact Shook and Stone. We are an experienced motor vehicle accident and personal injury law firm. In the fight for your rights Shook & Stone will use several strategies. Ø Shook & Stone will establish the implication of your injuries. Insurance companies will argue that the estimated costs of an injury are questionable. The insurance companies will offer medical testimony they believe supports their claim. Shook & Stone is prepared for these kinds of tactics. Ø Shook & Stone will work with medical doctors and rehabilitation professionals. We will ground your case in medical science and the testimony of nationally recognized experts in their fields. Ø Shook & Stone will evaluate and prepare your case in order to explain the long term implication of your specific injuries. Ø Shook & Stone will use the latest technology and media presentation tools to paint a complete picture of what you will have to go through on a day to day basis. We put a face on our client's suffering. We show the juror that it's not just about money; it's about our clients lives. We communicate this message loud and clear to jurors to make sure the insurance company pays a fair settlement to our clients. You deserve "The Benefits of the Shook & Stone Excellence!" |
