The #1 Edwardsville Brain Injury Lawyer

The Profound Impact of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are among the most severe consequences of car accidents, with potentially life-altering consequences for victims.

The brain governs every aspect of our being, from our ability to move and speak to our cognitive and emotional functions.

A severe injury to the head can alter the brain’s chemistry and physical structure, where brain cells and tissues get damaged or even destroyed.

In many cases, victims suffer from permanent brain damage, long-term disabilities, and even death.

While cognitive and physical functions are the primary areas affected, traumatic brain injuries can also cause significant emotional effects such as depression, anxiety, and mood swings.

The repercussions of brain injuries and head injuries can extend far beyond the physical damage, affecting one’s ability to work, engage in daily activities, and maintain personal relationships.

Brain injury victims often face daunting challenges, including the need for extensive medical care, rehabilitation therapy, and adaptive lifestyle changes.

Their families may also bear the emotional and financial burden of their loved one’s condition.

Seeking specialized legal representation from a traumatic brain injury lawyer is essential to ensure that victims receive the compensation needed to address these challenges and secure their future well-being.

Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

While the brain is one of the most vital organs in the human body, it’s also extremely fragile, and even a simple bump to the head can result in head injuries.

These injuries can vary widely in severity and symptoms, impacting victims differently.

Many different types of TBIs exist, depending on the force of impact and the circumstances of the injury.

Types of Brain Injuries Based on Force and Direction

A car accident can result in different types of TBIs, depending on the force and direction of impact.

Types of TBIs can include:

• Primary Brain Injuries: A primary brain injury occurs at the moment of impact and involves direct physical damage to the brain tissue.
  • Motor vehicle accidents, gunshots, and falls are common causes of primary brain injuries.
• Secondary Brain Injuries: A secondary brain injury occurs after the initial impact and often involves changes in blood flow or oxygen levels to the brain.
  • Secondary brain injuries can cause further damage to already injured tissues and cells.

Types of Brain Injuries Based on Severity

Traumatic brain injuries can also be categorized based on their severity, ranging from mild to severe.

A mild traumatic brain injury — more commonly known as a concussion — is often a meek and short-lived condition.

Victims may experience temporary symptoms including:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Balance problems
• Temporary tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

A mild head injury may not appear on diagnostic imaging tests and may not require extensive medical treatment.

Seeking prompt medical attention is essential to rule out any underlying complications.

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries are much more severe and can result in long-term or permanent damage to brain cells and tissues.

Victims may lose consciousness for an extended period and experience other symptoms.

Other symptoms include:

• Severe headaches that persist or worsen
• Convulsions or seizures
• Vomiting or nausea that continues
• Impaired coordination and motor skills
• Slurred speech
• Short-term memory loss
• Behavioral changes (irritability or mood swings)
• Inability to speak or move
• Coma

A moderate to severe head injury can be life-threatening and require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, or ongoing care for the victim’s lifetime.

It may also lead to long-term disabilities or even death.

Types of Brain Injuries Based on Penetration

Traumatic brain injuries can also be classified based on whether the injury involves a penetrating object or not.

Brain injuries based on penetration include:

• Closed Head Injuries: These injuries are the most common type of TBI, where there is no penetration into the brain.
  • Instead, the injury occurs due to an impact on the head, causing damage to brain tissues and blood vessels.
• Open Head Injuries: Also known as penetrating injuries, open head injuries happen when an object or projectile pierces through the skull and enters the brain.
  • An open head injury can result in severe damage to brain tissues, bleeding, and infection.

Other Types of TBIs

There are also other types of TBIs.

The other types include:

• Contusions: This type of TBI causes bruising of the brain tissue and can occur from a direct impact on the head or a violent shaking motion.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): These injuries involve stretching, tearing, or shearing of nerve fibers (axons) in the brain due to rotational forces during an accident. Axonal injuries can result in significant damage to brain function and may cause permanent disabilities, coma, or death.
• Coup-Contrecoup Injuries: This TBI — which means “blow” and “counterblow” in French — occurs when two points of impact are on opposite sides of the brain. The initial impact causes damage at the site of impact (coup injury), and a second impact can cause damage to the opposite side of the brain (contrecoup injury).
• Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (tSAH): This type of TBI occurs when bleeding occurs in the space between the brain and the skull (subarachnoid space). It can result from a direct impact on the head or indirect forces that cause the brain to move within the skull, damaging blood vessels.
• Hematoma: A hematoma is a collection of blood outside the blood vessels. Depending on the type of injury, it can occur in different areas of the brain.
• Skull Fractures: These occur when there is a break in one or more bones in the skull. Depending on the location and severity, skull fractures can cause damage to the brain tissue and require immediate medical attention.

Each type of brain injury presents unique challenges and requires tailored medical care and legal advocacy.

Brain Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries.

Road traffic collisions (RTC) are responsible for approximately 34 million global TBI victims annually.

Nearly 70% of all RTC fatalities involve head injuries, with 32% caused by isolated head injuries.

The sheer force involved in collisions can cause occupants to strike their heads on the steering wheel or other surfaces within the vehicle or experience violent shaking of the brain within the skull.

Even seemingly minor accidents can result in significant brain injuries with far-reaching consequences.

Critical Aspects of Brain Injury Legal Cases

Successfully pursuing a brain injury claim from a car accident requires a thorough understanding of the legal process and a meticulous approach to gathering evidence and establishing liability.

To have the best chances of securing maximum compensation, victims and their families are highly encouraged to work with an experienced car accident attorney who also specifically handles brain injury cases.

Thorough Investigation

Car accident lawyers conduct comprehensive investigations to gather evidence supporting the claim, including accident reports, medical records, and expert testimony regarding the injury’s extent and implications.

A thorough investigation is crucial in establishing liability and damages to present a strong case.

Proving Negligence

Proving negligence is a cornerstone of a brain injury case, as it establishes the legal basis for the claim.

This process often involves demonstrating how a driver’s reckless behavior or failure to uphold their duty of care directly led to the accident and subsequent brain injury.

Calculating Damages

Accurately assessing damages is critical in brain injury cases.

An experienced car accident lawyer works to ensure that settlement amounts reflect the full extent of the victim’s current and future needs.

Lawyers quantify both economic damages (such as medical expenses and lost wages) and non-economic damages (including pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and emotional distress) to advocate for maximum compensation.

The Role of Edwardsville Brain Injury Lawyers

An Edwardsville traumatic brain injury attorney advocates for victims’ rights and helps facilitate their recovery.

Roles of an Edwardsville brain injury lawyer include:

• Compassionate and assertive representation
• Understanding medical needs
• Negotiating with insurance companies

Compassionate and Assertive Representation

Lawyers will offer compassionate yet assertive representation tailored to the unique aspects of brain injury cases.

They understand the challenges faced by brain injury survivors and their families and work to secure fair compensation.

They handle the legal process and navigate court proceedings, ensuring that victims and their families can focus on healing.

Understanding Medical Needs

Given their in-depth knowledge of medical and rehabilitative needs associated with TBIs, Edwardsville brain injury lawyers advocate for comprehensive compensation.

Lawyers often collaborate with medical experts to assess the long-term implications of the injury and ensure that these factors are discussed in settlement negotiations.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Negotiations with insurance companies can be daunting, especially when insurers attempt to minimize payouts or deny claims.

Experienced attorneys understand how to counter lowball offers and secure settlements that adequately address the victim’s losses, both tangible and intangible.

In cases where negotiations fail, they are also equipped to take the case to court and fight for just compensation.

TorHoerman Law: Your Edwardsville Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

Traumatic brain injuries resulting from car accidents are life-altering events that require expert legal representation.

At TorHoerman Law, we understand the unique challenges of brain injury cases and are committed to providing support and compassion to our clients and their families.

Our team of experienced Edwardsville Brain Injury Lawyers combine legal experience with genuine compassion, aiming to secure the best possible resolution for our clients.

With our deep understanding of the legal process, medical implications, and insurance company tactics, we aggressively fight for our clients to receive the best possible outcome.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a car accident in Edwardsville, don’t hesitate to contact TorHoerman Law.

The road to recovery may be difficult, but having an experienced team by your side can make all the difference. 

Contact us for a free consultation.

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