Traumatic Brain Injury as the Result of an Accident: What You Should Know

A traumatic brain injury is one of the worst types of accidents that can happen to you. Left untreated, it will afflict you for the rest of your life. It’s more than an injury–it’s an alarm bell that signifies your need for immediate attention and long-term care.

If it was an accident, then you are owed financial compensation. That’s where the help of an experienced personal injury attorney proves invaluable: There’s light at the end of the tunnel. Keep reading to understand the depth of your situation.

Traumatic Brain Injury: What They Don’t Tell You

The aftermath of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is messy. The path to understanding is littered with half-truths, misconceptions, and self-doubt.

You may have been told that recovery is only a matter of time. That rest will restore you to full health and the symptoms will resolve themselves. This narrative is often far from reality.

A broken bone or a visible wound is obvious. TBI is not. TBI is insidious.

It’s an invisible disease that doesn’t announce itself to the world. You may appear healthy from the outside but grapple with a maelstrom of problems within.

It can become increasingly difficult to explain your condition to coworkers, friends, and family. Moreover, the long-term implications of TBI are dire.

The Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury

The fallout from TBI lasts for longer than the initial trauma as it seeps into every aspect of your waking life. TBI can lead to cognitive impairment. Memory loss and difficulty concentrating are common.

In particular, your professional life is vulnerable in the wake of a TBI. You may find it more difficult to perform at your previous capacity. Even if you’re able to return to work, you may require additional accommodations to stay productive.

The ripple effect stretches to other aspects of your life: It wreaks havoc on your sense of self-worth and your relationship with your loved ones may become strained by emotional volatility and communication barriers.

The harshest reality is the financial strain. Medical bills pile up quickly, and the spiraling costs of medical expenses and accumulated interest compound the stress.

How Long Can Symptoms Take To Manifest?

Traumatic brain injuries are not a linear condition. Symptoms are unpredictable and can emerge days, weeks, and even months after an incident. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Frequent headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Memory lapses
• Vision problems
• Emotional instability

These delayed symptoms aren’t only trouble in their own right–they complicate the process of diagnosis and treatment. In many cases, what may seem like unrelated health issues can be traced back to the original injury.

Seeking Medical Attention After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Seeking immediate medical attention after a head injury is the most important thing you can do.

The nature of TBIs and potential long-term damage means that even if you feel fine, you should always submit to a thorough examination. It’s also vital to keep a detailed log tracking:

• Your symptoms
• Your level of discomfort
• Medical visits
• Medical treatments

Should you decide to seek compensation for your injury, this log will become an indispensable tool. It’s a testament to the gravity of your situation–and a necessary component in advocating for your physical and financial health.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury

Some of the most common causes of TBI include vehicular collisions, work accidents, and falls.

The sheer forces involved in car accidents cause the brain to suffer from rapid deceleration, while falls (particularly among the elderly) can lead to forceful head impacts.

No matter the cause, the consequences are often dire. Prevention is a key component in reducing the occurrence of TBI.

Yet when the worst comes to pass, it’s time to retake control of the reins.

Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney for Traumatic Brain Injury

When you hire a lawyer for TBI, you retake control of your life.

An injury lawyer–an expert at navigating the intricacies of injury law–is a vital partner in your path to recovery. As we outlined above, the symptoms of TBI can manifest long after a traumatic event, which only makes seeking due compensation more difficult.

An experienced injury lawyer will accompany you throughout the entire process of legal recourse by:

• Helping you understand the complexities of your case
• Walking you through the legal process
• Representing your best interests
• Negotiating with insurance companies and third parties
• Striving to ensure your financial needs are met in full

Selecting an attorney for a personal injury claim is a deliberate process. You should seek out a professional with a proven track record of winning traumatic brain injury cases–one who exhibits a welcome blend of compassion and confidence.

The relationship between you and your lawyer is a partnership: They succeed by your side and will do everything they can to ensure you get the compensation you’re owed.

Your Legal Recourse

What are your legal options following a traumatic brain injury?

Before you worry about the courts, know that an injury lawsuit is unlikely. The majority of insurers settle out of court–as long as you hire a lawyer to represent you. When filing your claim, the process happens in steps:

1. Establishing liability and collecting evidence
2. Demonstrating the extent of the harm
3. Filing a formal claim via an injury lawyer
4. Negotiating a settlement

Remember, time is a factor in legal matters and statutory deadlines can preclude you from filing a claim. The clock starts ticking from the moment of injury, so it’s always best to act promptly to secure legal representation, even if the symptoms have yet to fully manifest.

Supporting TBI Survivors in the Bronx

Hiring a personal injury attorney is a matter of prudence. Your journey to recovery is a long, rocky road, and the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury is devastating.

But we’re here to help.

At Stillman & Stillman, we make you our top priority. Our track record of successful multi-million dollar cases and combined experience of over four decades demonstrates our commitment to our clients, and you can arrange a free consultation by getting in touch.