Seeking Compensation for Head and Brain Injuries in Illinois

 Posted on July 18, 2022 in Catastrophic Injuries

Head injuries are unlike other types of personal injury in that even a seemingly minor accident can have life-altering consequences. When a victim’s head is struck or moved in a violent or sudden manner, the brain may bump against the skull, causing severe injury. Brain injuries are often caused by car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, but they can also be caused by falls, workplace accidents, and more.

Regardless of how a brain injury occurs, the effects can be dramatic. Some who suffer brain injuries are unable to work or enjoy their lives in the way they did before the injury. In many cases, brain injuries incur substantial medical costs, including emergency room visits and ongoing doctor visits and tests. If you were injured as a result of another party’s negligence or carelessness, you might be able to receive compensation for your damages.

Brain Injuries Caused by Motor Vehicle Accidents

Many victims suffer brain injuries when they are involved in car accidents. If an accident was caused by a party who was driving recklessly or negligently, it is very likely that he or she will be liable for the accident. Distracted driving, including texting while driving, is often considered a negligent act, but proving that the other party was distracted can be challenging.

When a drunk driver causes an accident in which another individual was injured, the drunk driver is almost always considered legally responsible for the damages caused. In certain cases, individuals who are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) and caused injuries or death can also be sued for punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to be an additional punishment that helps dissuade drivers from driving while intoxicated in the future.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

There are a few types of brain injuries that can be caused by an accident. Concussions are among the most common brain injuries. A concussion occurs when a force—such as an abruptly stopping vehicle—causes the head to violently accelerate and stop. Concussions can cause pain, blurred vision, confusion, memory loss, and nausea. Direct trauma brain injuries occur when a person’s skull comes into contact with a hard surface, such as during a slip and fall accident. Indirect trauma can be caused by whiplash, traffic accidents, and more. The resulting nerve damage from an injury such as this can cause brain damage and even death. A diffuse axonal injury occurs when the fibers which connect the brain and nerve cells are damaged. Brain injuries can also occur when the brain is deprived of oxygen. Exposure to toxic substances in an unsafe work environment is one-way hypoxia injuries occur.

Contact a Rolling Meadows Brain Injury Attorney

If you have suffered a brain injury in a car wreck or any other type of accident caused by another’s negligence, it is important to seek legal help immediately. Contact an experienced Arlington Heights car accident lawyer to get the guidance and representation you need. Call 847-797-8000 for a free consultation with a member of the team at Newland & Newland, LLP today.

Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557