Causes of TBI
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most concerning risks associated with car accidents. TBIs can be extremely debilitating and dangerous, leading to long-term effects such as pain, functional limitations, and mental impairment. TBIs can also be difficult to detect right away, which can cause an accident victim to suffer more complications before even realizing they have an injury.
If you or someone you care about has experienced a brain injury as a result of the negligence of another person, you have the right to seek compensation. A skilled Kingston traumatic brain injury lawyer at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP can help investigate the circumstances of your injury, determine who may be held liable, negotiate with defense attorneys and insurance companies on your behalf, and get you the money you are owed.
What is TBI?
A traumatic brain injury is an injury that affects how the brain works. The injury is “traumatic” because it is caused by a sudden impact or trauma to the head. TBIs may be caused by a sudden blow, bump, or jolt to the head, or they may be caused by a penetrating injury such as from a sharp object or gunshot.
TBIs range from mild, including concussion, to moderate and severe. Multiple TBIs such as multiple concussions can lead to more serious symptoms, as can a more severe initial TBI. TBIs can lead to short-term and long-term health problems, depending upon the severity of the injury, whether the victim has suffered TBI before, age, and other risk factors. TBIs suffered by children can lead to developmental disabilities and other long-term troubles.
What Causes TBI?
TBI can result from any number of incidents in which the victim is struck on the head. The victim can suffer TBI at the time they are struck, or when their head hits the ground following a slip or sudden impact. At Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, we help TBI victims recover after all manner of incidents, including the following:
- Auto accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pickup truck and SUV accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trip and fall accidents
- Defective product malfunction
- Accidental weapons discharge
- Construction accidents
- Physical or sexual assault
- Sports accidents
- Falls from ladders or scaffolding
Symptoms of TBI
If you suffered a sudden blow to the head, you could have experienced a TBI. Symptoms might not manifest for hours or even days after an accident, but that won’t necessarily make them any less severe. If you experience any symptoms of a potential TBI after an impact to the head, see a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Early symptoms after head trauma often include:
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo
- Nausea and vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Headache
- Confusion
- Blurry vision
- Oversensitivity to stimuli including light, sounds, touch, taste, or smell
More severe TBI can lead to longer-lasting effects, both physical and mental. After a TBI, accident victims, as well as their friends and family, should be on the lookout for symptoms including:
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Weakness or numbness in the limbs
- Mood changes, including decreased sex drive
- Mental health issues including anxiety and depression
- Difficulty with memory, concentration, or focus
- Convulsions or seizures
- Loss of coordination
- Trouble sleeping or over-sleeping
- Slurred speech
- Over-dilation of the pupil
For help pursuing your legal options after a TBI in New York’s Hudson Valley, including Goshen, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Saugerties, and throughout Ulster County, contact a New York traumatic brain injury attorney from Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello for a free consultation, in Kingston at 845-331-4100, or in Marlboro at 845-236-4411.
