The potential causes of a brain injury are almost as numerous as the types of brain injuries themselves. However, one of the most common causes of a severe brain injury is a severe accident. If another person or entity’s recklessness, negligence, or carelessness caused the accident in which you or your loved one suffered a brain injury, then the at-fault person or entity may be liable. The standard for liability is whether or not the at-fault person behaved reasonably under the circumstances that existed at the time of the accident. If the evidence shows that the at-fault person did not behave reasonably, then he or she can be liable for damages resulting from the accident victim’s injuries. This includes brain injuries.
Some examples of accidents that can lead to a head or brain injury include:
- Premises accidents – When an individual suffers a head injury in an accident that occurs on someone else’s property, such as a slip-and-fall accident where the accident victim sustains a blow to the head, a serious brain injury can follow.
- Medical negligence – Health care providers owe a duty to their patients to act in accordance with prevailing medical standards and to provide reasonable medical care at all times. When a healthcare provider is negligent and/or makes a serious medical mistake that results in an injury to the victim’s brain, then the provider may be liable for all of the damages that result.
- Bicycle accidents – Motor vehicle operators have a duty to be on the lookout for bicycle operators who are on or near the road. What a motor vehicle driver negligently strikes a bicyclist, causing the bicyclist to suffer a head or brain injury, then the negligent motor vehicle driver may be liable for the resulting damages.
- Motorcycle accidents – Similarly, when the driver of a car or truck negligently strikes a motorcyclist and brings about injuries, then the negligent motorist may be liable for any and all resulting damages.
- Motor vehicle collisions – Car and truck operators owe a duty of care to all other motorists on the road to operate their vehicles in a careful and prudent manner while driving. Whenever a motor vehicle operator violates a traffic law, such as driving over the speed limit or engaging in distracted driving, and causes an accident, then the at-fault driver can be responsible for any injuries (including brain injuries) that result.
A knowledgeable brain injury attorney in Atlanta can assist you with making a claim against the at-fault person or entity in your case and can help you pursue the monetary damages that you need and which you deserve.
