Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

Accidents happen every day, but unfortunately, some result in serious injuries and can even result in death. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are among the most serious injuries that accident victims can suffer, and are also surprisingly common. If you have suffered a brain injury, you may be facing months or even years of recovery. This could result in catastrophic medical expenses, lost income, and even permanent disability. If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, you need a Laurel accident law firm that can help you get the compensation you need. 

What Constitutes a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injuries are more common than many people realize, and we are just beginning to understand the long-term effects of even mild brain injuries. According to the CDC, a traumatic brain injury is any disruption to the normal functions of the brain resulting from a bump, jolt, or blow to the head. As a result, you can suffer a traumatic brain injury even though you haven’t suffered a skull fracture or similar or other severe head trauma. Traumatic brain injuries can range from severe to mild, many of which may not be immediately apparent. Concussions are the most common type of TBI, but can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. 

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

As mentioned above, TBIs can be caused by any physical blow to the head. Common, everyday accidents routinely result in traumatic brain injuries: 

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian and cycling accidents
• Slip, trip, and fall accidents
• Construction site accidents

According to statistics, traumatic brain injuries can be especially dangerous for people over the age of 65 and are more likely to result in death. Falls in nursing homes due to negligent supervision account for a significant number of brain injuries every year. 

Many traumatic brain injuries are the result of someone else’s negligence. If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident, a Laurel accident law firm can determine whether someone else may be liable for your injuries.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Because TBIs can range from mild to severe, the symptoms you may experience can vary widely. In the case of mild brain injuries, many of these symptoms are subjective – they are not obvious like a broken arm or other external injuries. Many people doubt that they have an injury, even though they have recently been in an accident. Regardless, the bottom line is that you should listen to your body – if you experience any symptoms that suggest a traumatic brain injury, you should get a thorough medical examination as soon as possible. 

Mild Brain Injuries

Most concussions qualify as mild brain injuries and are accompanied by the following symptoms: 

• A loss of consciousness of 30 minutes or less at the time the accident occurred
• Nausea
• Persistent headaches
• Dizziness, loss of balance
• Clouded thinking or difficulty concentrating
• Sensitivity to light and noise

Moderate Brain Injuries

If you lost consciousness anywhere from 30 minutes up to 24 hours, you likely have suffered a moderate brain injury. You may experience the same symptoms as a mild brain injury more intensely, in addition to the following: 

• Slurred speech
• Seizures
• Memory loss
• Strong, recurring headaches
• Fluid draining from your nose or ears

Moderate brain injuries are often immediately identifiable and usually result in hospitalization. 

Severe Brain Injuries

Severe brain injuries are typically coupled with a loss of consciousness of 24 hours or more. When a person suffers a severe brain injury, they will experience the following symptoms: 

• Significant mobility issues
• Blurred vision
• Disorientation
• Difficulty speaking
• Loss of bladder or bowel control 
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sleep disturbances

Severe brain injuries typically result in immediate hospitalization. They also require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation and often result in permanent disabilities. 

Whether mild or severe, a traumatic brain injury can leave you unable to work or take care of your family. If you have suffered a TBI, a Laurel accident law firm can help you get the compensation you need to put your life back together. 

Psychological Harms Associated with Traumatic Brain Injuries

More severe brain injuries can result in significant behavioral changes. People who suffer TBIs also often experience depression and anxiety, and in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Whether these are caused by the accident or the brain injury itself is debatable, but the fact is that the psychological trauma can make recovery all the more difficult. Furthermore, it’s important to note that you may be entitled to compensation for any emotional or psychological distress you may experience as a result of your accident. 

What Your Claim May Be Worth

If your brain injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the following: 

• Your medical expenses
• Your lost income
• Your pain and suffering

The insurance company will attempt to settle your claim for as little as possible. Many victims settle their claims for far less than they are worth, leaving them with uncovered losses. An experienced attorney at a Laurel accident law firm can help you make sure you get the compensation you need. 

Will You Be Able to Return to Work?

One of the most serious life-changing impacts of a TBI is the effect it may have on your ability to work. Serious brain injuries can require months of recovery, during which time you may be completely unable to work. Even after completing treatment, many victims are unable to work at their prior jobs or can only work on a part-time basis. Many brain injuries can even result in permanent, total disability. 

If you’ve suffered a severe TBI, an experienced attorney at a Laurel accident law firm can help you get compensation for any current lost income as well as the future income that may be lost as a result of your injury. 

The Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles, Helping People with Traumatic Brain Injuries

If you’ve suffered a brain injury, you need a Laurel accident law firm that will fight for your rights. With over 25 years of experience, attorney Thomas E. Pyles has helped thousands of people across the state of Maryland get the compensation they need.  We have office locations in Waldorf and Leonardtown for your convenience.  To schedule a free consultation, call us at 301-705-5066 or fill out our online contact form today.