Accidents happen when you least expect them, and the damages they cause can be severe. Traumatic brain injury can occur during routine tasks, such as running errands, traveling to or from work or school, or even engaging in hobbies and recreational activities/sports with family and friends can end up leaving you with injuries that can be severe and potentially debilitating.

Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most common types of accidental injuries that occur, and the effects on nearly every area of your life can be devastating. At Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., our experienced accident attorneys use their legal knowledge and experience to help victims and their families get the compensation they need to recover.

Accidents Resulting In Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that more than two million people are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms throughout the United States as the result of accidents involving traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Sadly, more than 100 of these victims die each day as a result of their injuries. TBI can occur as the result of any sharp bump, blow, or jolt to the head, and can result in long term and even permanent impairments. Common types of accidents resulting in brain injuries include the following:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycling accidents
• Slips, trips, or falls
• Being hit or struck by an object
• Sports and recreational accidents
• On-the-job accidents

Types of Head Injuries That Result In TBI and Potential Impacts

According to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), traumatic brain injuries can have a profound effect on a person’s physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities, and the amount of impairment depends on the force of the bump or blow and the type of injury suffered. The BIAA lists the following as the most common types of head injuries resulting in TBI:

• Concussion: a direct blow or shaking of the head
• Contusion: bruising or bleeding in the brain 
• Diffuse axonal injury: injuries caused by violent shaking 
• Penetrating Injuries: the result of direct contact with sharp objects
• Anoxic or hypoxic brain injury: results from oxygen deprivation 
• Open head injuries: fracture of the skull bones surrounding the brain 
• Closed head injuries: swelling that occurs in the brain 

Impacts of TBI include memory loss, decreased ability to communicate or form thoughts or to comprehend what is being said, and impairment of vision and motor skills. TBI can also impact the brain’s ability to regulate body functions, resulting in heart and respiratory problems. In severe cases, victims may be left in a permanent vegetative state.

Compensation for Brain Injuries

In the aftermath of an accident, it is important to get medical care immediately, regardless of how minor your injuries may seem. The full extent of a brain injury can take days, weeks, or even months to appear, and while it is possible to make a full recovery from TBI, some victims are left with permanent impairments. As the result of your injury, you could find yourself facing heavy medical costs and the need for ongoing treatment and physical therapy, while being unable to work or perform the specific duties that are a normal part of your job. In these situations, there are two potential ways in which you may be able to receive compensation for the injuries you suffered.

• Through an Insurance Company Claim
  Depending on how you were injured, you may be entitled to compensation through an insurance company claim. A representative will likely contact you after your accident to discuss your accident and the injuries you suffered. When dealing with the insurer, bear in mind that they may attempt to downplay the amount of damages you suffered, or even deny your claim altogether.  We recommend that you not speak to an insurance claim representative without assistance of counsel as your telephone conversation with insurance representatives are usually recorded and thus an inadvertent error or miscommunication may negatively impact your potential claim.  
  
  
• Through A Personal Injury Lawsuit
  If there is no insurance or a settlement cannot be reached, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Types of damages you may be able to claim include medical expenses, lost wages, and future losses in income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering you endured as the result of your injury.

Do You Have a Case? Find Out Today

Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. is among New Jersey's oldest personal injury law practices. Our lawyers have represented thousands of injured victims over a century. If you are wondering whether or not you have a case, schedule a free, confidential meeting with one of our personal injury lawyers using the contact form or phone number below.