Get Help from our Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers in Sacramento
The human brain is a vital yet delicate organ. Any blow, sudden jolt, or shaking of the head can cause serious damage to the brain. People who suffer traumatic brain injuries in car accidents, slip-and falls, and other serious accidents may face irreversible damage, mounting medical costs, and the need for ongoing personal care.
One of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer in an accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Severe damage to the brain can occur when the victim’s head strikes or is struck by another object. Forceful movement of the head without contact can also cause a TBI. Conditions associated with a TBI could require a lifetime of treatment and care because there is generally no cure for these types of injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you and your family should not bear the costs alone. At Demas Law Group, our Sacramento traumatic brain injury lawyers understand that there is no way to reverse the physical and emotional suffering you have been put through. However, we can help you demand the financial compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost income, and more.
The record of success for Demas Law Group includes a $3 million settlement for a bicyclist who suffered a TBI after being struck by a commercial van. Call us or fill out an online contact form to receive a free consultation about your best legal options.
For more than 25 years, accident victims across Northern California have turned to our dedicated personal injury lawyers instead of fighting insurance companies on their own. Clients continue to recommend us to family and friends because:
- Our law firm has a 99 percent success rate. We have helped thousands of clients recover the full and fair compensation they deserve.
- We treat every client like a VIP. Each client receives personalized attention as well as our wholehearted compassion for what they have been put through.
- Our attorneys are dedicated to justice for the unjustly injured. We are focused on pursuing an outcome that will hold those at fault accountable and secure a financially stable future for our clients.
- Our firm has a “no win, no fee” guarantee. We do not charge a cent for our legal services if we do not recover compensation for our clients.
Don’t spend your energy struggling with insurance companies when you need to concentrate on your health. Our dedicated Sacramento traumatic brain injury attorneys will handle all the aspects of your personal injury claim, so you can focus on your recovery. Schedule a free consultation with our legal team today to learn how we can make a difference for you.
What Happens to the Brain During a Sacramento Car Accident
In a car crash, a person’s head may be thrust forward or backward suddenly and violently. When this happens, the head could strike the steering wheel, the headrest, the window or door, the dashboard, or another hard surface in the vehicle.
The force of the impact can damage the skull and the brain or could cause the brain to strike or scrape against the hard inner surface of the skull. These incidents can cause severe damage to the blood vessels, which releases blood cells into surrounding brain tissue.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury from Car Accidents
The symptoms of TBI can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. Some of the common physical symptoms of relatively mild TBIs include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of balance
- Disorientation
- Problems with speech
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue or drowsiness
An individual could also deal with sensory issues such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus), blurred vision, changes in the ability to smell, or increased sensitivity to light or sound. Possible cognitive symptoms can include mood swings, memory or concentration problems, and depression.
With more serious traumatic brain injuries, common physical symptoms include:
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Persistent or worsening headache
- Loss of coordination
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
- Convulsions or seizures
- Fluids draining from nose or ears
- Coma
Types of Brain Injuries From Car Accidents
There are essentially five major kinds of TBIs:
- Concussion —Concussions can have serious and possibly lifelong implications. Concussions are the most common kind of TBI and are frequently caused by direct blows to the head, violent shaking of the head, or the force of a whiplash injury. A concussion involves brain trauma from an impact or sudden movement. The blood vessels in the brain can be stretched, and cranial nerves may be damaged. Concussions do not always appear in diagnostic imaging tests. A concussion may cause diffuse axonal type injury that leads to temporary or permanent damage.
- Contusion — A contusion is a bruise of the brain causing bleeding. It is usually the result of direct impact to the head. A large contusion could require surgical removal.
- Coup-Contrecoup — A coup-contrecoup TBI involves contusions on both the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain. The injuries occur because the initial impact is not only enough to cause one contusion, but an additional contusion can happen when the brain strikes the other side of the skull’s interior.
- Diffuse Axonal — A diffuse axonal injury is a result of shaking or strong rotational forces in which a brain does not move as fast as a skull and brain structures tear. The tearing of nerve tissue causes chemicals to be released that lead to injury and disrupt brain function.
- Penetration — A penetrating injury occurs when a sharp object that forces its way into the brain, for example, a bone fragment or a sharp piece of metal. This causes direct damage to the affected area of the brain.
All TBIs involve some external trauma, which is much different from acquired brain injuries, which are usually the result of medical conditions such as strokes, tumors, or hypoxia.
Lifetime Care and Expenses for TBI Victims
Northwestern University reported that the unemployment rate for the average adult with TBI two years after diagnosis was 60 percent, compared to the national average of 5.1 percent. Northwestern also states that the lifetime costs of treatment for a TBI could be as much as $3 million or more.
Many TBI victims will require extensive rehabilitation, including physical therapy sessions. Some TBI victims may be in need of full-time daily care for assistance with multiple needs.
$5.23 Million Settlement for a TBI Case
Demas Law Group turned a $1.2 million offer into a $5.23 million settlement for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a vehicle while cycling. The defendant driver was under the influence of pain medications and anxiety drugs, leading to a DUI conviction. Despite the defense disputing various aspects of the case and hiring multiple experts, Demas Law Group’s relentless pursuit of justice ensured a substantial settlement for the client, securing their financial stability and future.
Statistics on TBIs in Car Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes were the third overall leading cause of TBI -related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths among all age groups, accounting for 14 percent of cases..
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) states that national statistics estimate motor vehicle crashes cause 50 to 70 percent of TBI accidents. A report from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance found that 30 percent of the over 55,000 teenage drivers and passengers seriously injured in auto accidents suffered acute head injuries such as concussions, skull fractures, and TBIs.
Why You Need a Brain Injury Attorney
An insurance company may approach you after a serious accident with a tempting settlement check to help cover your immediate medical expenses. Don’t fall for it. A traumatic brain injury can change your life ─ and your financial future ─ in ways you cannot imagine.
At Demas Law Group, our experienced brain injury lawyers understand the uncertainties that lie ahead of you right now. We know what it takes to thoroughly evaluate a case and make a solid demand for maximum compensation. You can trust our law firm to:
- Investigate the incident that caused your brain injury to determine exactly what happened and who should be held legal responsible, or liable. We will identify all the at-fault parties and insurance companies involved.
- Calculate the full cost of your medical bills, both now and in the future. Our team will examine your medical records and consult with specialists to determine how your injury will affect you in the years to come.
- Document your loss of income and project how your earning capacity may be reduced going forward. We will collect your employment and earnings records, as well as work with financial experts, to determine this.
- Take statements from you, your family members, your friends, your co-workers, and anyone else who can help explain the pain and suffering you have endured due to your injury.
- Help you find traumatic brain injury specialists in the Sacramento area if you are having a hard time receiving the treatment or therapy you need.
- Aggressively negotiate with insurers from a position of strength, demanding a full and fair settlement for you. If the insurance company refuses to do what’s right, we will not hesitate to pursue justice through a personal injury lawsuit.
Schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable head injury attorneys today to discuss the details of your case and learn how we can help.
Our TBI Lawyers Will Seek Compensation for You
Because a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be so catastrophic, treatment can be overwhelmingly expensive. When we take on your case, we will evaluate every way in which this injury has affected your life ─ and will continue to affect you.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, we may demand compensation for:
- All current and future medical expenses, including costs for surgeries, rehabilitative therapy, counseling, and long-term care
- All current and future income losses
- Property damage, such as in an accident involving a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.
- Pain and suffering, including due to disruption of lifestyle and loss of enjoyment of life
If you have lost a family member due to a fatal head wound, our attorneys may also be able to help you pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. Learn about your rights to compensation today by calling (916) 764-3059 or filling out our online form.
What to Expect After Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to the disruption of normal brain function by some external force. In a violent blow or jolt to the head, the brain is pushed against the inside of the skull, which damages delicate brain tissue. In penetrating head injuries, a foreign object, such as a bullet or debris from a car accident, breaks through the skull and tears into the brain.
The severity of brain injuries can vary drastically due to the highly complex makeup of the brain – no two TBIs are alike. A mild traumatic brain injury may result in temporary damage that may heal over time, whereas serious head injuries can cause long-term consequences or even death.
A mild TBI is known as a concussion. The blow that leads to a concussion may cause momentary confusion and the sensation of “seeing stars.” Sometimes there is a short loss of consciousness. Many concussion victims recover fully with rest over a few weeks. However, having had a concussion makes the individual more susceptible to injury from additional head trauma.
Other symptoms of having suffered a concussive blow to the head include:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sleeping more than usual
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Sensory abnormalities, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light or sound, a bad taste in the mouth, or changes in the ability to smell
- Memory or concentration problems
- Mood swings
- Depression or anxiety
A moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, in which the victim usually suffers extended unconsciousness or amnesia following the initial injury, can cause long-term complications or be fatal. Internally, it causes bruised and torn tissue, bleeding, and other physical damage to the brain.
Potential symptoms of a moderate to severe TBI include the symptoms of a concussion, plus:
- Persistent headache or headache that worsens
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
- Clear drainage from the nose or ears
- Inability to awaken from sleep
- Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
- Loss of coordination
- Profound confusion
- Agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Coma and other disorders of consciousness
If you are experiencing any symptoms of a head injury after a car accident, fall, or other serious accident, seek medical help immediately. You may risk further injury without a proper diagnosis and treatment.
TBI Attorney: Different Types of Injuries
Although a concussion is the type of brain injury most people have heard of, medically, a TBI may be described as:
- Focal Brain Injury — a TBI affecting a single area within the brain
- Diffuse Axonal Injury — a TBI that has caused widespread brain damage
- Brain Herniation — swelling of the brain that can interfere with respiration or cause paralysis
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage — bleeding in the membrane that protects and cushions the brain, which can result in severe cognitive or neural impairment, or death
A person who has suffered a severe TBI may also suffer a stroke, which is a disruption of the blood supply to the brain that, if not remedied, causes rapid loss of brain function and death. Even with immediate medical intervention, a stoke may cause lasting brain damage.
Treatment for a Traumatic Brain Injury
A head wound that causes severe TBI is a medical emergency, which typically requires surgery to repair damage and/or relieve pressure on the brain. Once a TBI patient has recovered from surgery, he or she will begin a potentially lengthy course of rehabilitative therapy (“rehab”).
Rehab may focus on regaining or strengthening:
- Memory
- Physical strength
- Speech
- Mobility (ability to walk)
- Cognition (thought processes)
- Manual dexterity
- Ability to perform daily life activities, e.g., bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, etc.
A patient who has suffered a severe head injury will work with an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals, including a primary care physician, neurologist, surgeon, rehabilitation and behavioral health specialists, and psychologist. This may require transporting the patient from a hospital to a clinic specializing in brain injury. Eventually, rehab may take place on an outpatient basis.
Psychological counseling may help the TBI victim learn coping skills for the challenges of living with the injury, as well as loss of the life led before the accident.
A severe traumatic brain injury also changes the lives of the accident victim’s spouse and other family members. They may benefit from individual and/or support group counseling.
Some patients recover fully from TBIs, and others can live fulfilling lives despite varying levels of disability. However, some patients are bedridden and may have to reside in a nursing home or similar long-term care facility for a life shortened by their injury.
Contact our Sacramento Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys for Help Now
Demas Law Group is ready to perform a complete investigation of your crash and preserve critical evidence while working with your doctors to prove the severity of your injuries. We understand that the physical symptoms of TBIs often lead to insurance companies not fully appreciating the damage caused. We are prepared to work tirelessly to prove all of the ways the injury has affected your life.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an accident that could have been prevented, don’t wait to seek legal advice. The skilled Sacramento personal injury attorneys of Demas Law Group in Sacramento will review your injury case for free and outline all your options for pursuing full and fair compensation.
Call (916) 764-3059 or contact us online now.
This literature may be considered attorney advertising or an offer of professional services, according to rule 1-400 Rules of Professional Conduct by the State Bar of California. The information does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction regarding the outcome of your potential legal matter.
Should I see a doctor if I hit my head in an accident in Sacramento, but have no pain or other symptoms?
You should always see a doctor as soon as possible if you’ve sustained a hard blow to the head, even if you have no immediate symptoms. The brain is a delicate organ, and any hard impact can damage its intricate structure, but symptoms may not show up for days, weeks or even longer. This is especially important for children ages 0-14 and adults ages 65 and over, the two groups whose brains are the most vulnerable to traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, from what medical researchers are learning about the long-term symptoms of TBI, the best advice for all ages is to go to the doctor immediately. If you’ve suffered a hard blow to the head and haven’t gone to the doctor yet, go now. It’s that important.
What are the symptoms of traumatic brain injury?
That depends on the severity of the traumatic brain injury. Physicians measure the severity of TBI using the Glasgow Coma Scale, which ranks TBIs ranging from mild to severe. It’s important to point out that this is just for measuring purposes. Every case of TBI is serious, and no case is “mild.” Using the scale, it’s possible to look at the vast range of TBI symptoms that can manifest in any case, either immediately or over a period of time. “Mild” TBI The most common form of traumatic brain injury is a concussion, which is classified on the “mild” end of the Glasgow Coma Scale. When someone takes a hit to the head and describes it as having their “bell rung” they’re describing a concussion. Some brain injury accident victims who’ve had a concussion will resist medical treatment. You don’t have to be knocked unconscious to sustain a concussion; it is still a serious brain injury. If you or a loved one has sustained a concussion, you may notice the following symptoms immediately or much later:
- Problems thinking clearly, difficulty concentrating, loss of short-term memory
- Headaches, blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, light sensitivity
- Emotional issues, irritability, depression, anxiety
- Trouble falling asleep or sleeping more than usual
If these symptoms appear, seek medical help immediately. TBI victims may resist treatment for symptoms such as faulty thinking or emotional issues because they fear it may be considered a sign of weakness. It’s possible that a blood clot may form in the brain and prove to be fatal. If you or a loved one have suffered a head injury, and you notice any of the following symptoms, do not hesitate to call an ambulance or go to an emergency room immediately:
- Headache that worsens and does not go away
- Weakness, numbness and impaired coordination
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Slurred speech
- Nonstop crying or refusal to nurse or eat (in small children)
Fortunately, most people recover quickly from concussions and other “mild” TBIs, especially with prompt treatment. But for more severe cases of traumatic brain injury on the Glasgow Coma Scale, the long-term prognosis can be much more discouraging. Many severe TBI victims are knocked unconscious for an extended period of time, slipping into a coma. Some victims awake from the coma with amnesia (total loss of memory). Some victims appear to be fully recovered, but weeks later, develop the same TBI symptoms noted above, only more extreme:
- Difficulty thinking, including complete short-term memory loss
- Aggression and impulse control issues that alienate family and loved ones
- Abrupt personality change
- Deterioration in coordination, balance and motor skills requiring hospitalization
- Loss of speech ability and other high cognitive functions
- Death
Traumatic brain injuries can cause epilepsy and can increase the risk of developing other neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
What accidents cause traumatic brain injuries?
- Falls – At least 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually in the United States. More than a third of those injuries are caused by accidental falls, which occur more often with children ages 0-14 years and adults 65 years and older. Sometimes, these accidents are just accidents, and no one is at fault. On the other hand, the fall may be the result of someone else’s negligence. The fall may be the result of a poorly maintained property, and the property owner and the person responsible for maintaining it could be held liable for the injury.
- Vehicle Accidents – Automobile, motorcycle, truck and other vehicle accidents cause about one in five traumatic brain injuries and account for one-third of the 52,000 people killed annually by TBI. If you’ve sustained a head injury in a vehicle accident through no fault of your own, anyone else found at fault – another driver, a trucking company, a government agency – is legally obliged to pay full financial compensation for your injury.
- Struck By Accidents – “Struck by/against” events are the next largest portion of traumatic brain injuries. In these accidents, the victim’s head collides with a stationary or moving object. For example, a heavy tool may fall from a construction site and strike a victim in the head. Struck by/against events frequently occur in high impact high school sports such as hockey and football. If someone else’s negligence is responsible for your TBI, they may be liable for damages.
- Assault – One in ten traumatic brain injuries is caused by a criminal assault. This includes blows to the head and gunshot wounds, the latter of which are a form of “open-TBI” that can be lethal. If you’ve been criminally assaulted, the perpetrator can be held responsible for paying full restitution for your injuries in both criminal and civil court. There are many different ways to incur a serious head injury. The cause listed by the CDC for one out of every four traumatic brain injuries is “other.” No matter what the cause, if someone else is at fault, you need Demas Law Group, P.C., on your side.
What is the difference between Closed-TBI and Open-TBI?
In closed-TBI, the skull and brain have not been penetrated by a foreign object. There may appear to be no injury. That’s one reason why the later effects of closed-TBIs are difficult to detect. In open-TBIs, there is an obvious breach of the skull and the brain, and hospitalization is required. Closed-TBIs are generally less severe than open-TBIs and account for the vast majority of TBI cases. Of the 1.7 million people who suffer a traumatic brain injury every year in the United States, 1.4 million people (82 percent) are treated and released by hospital emergency departments.
Why is treating traumatic brain injury so expensive?
Treating TBI is expensive because it is or can become a long-term, progressive disease that affects both the mental and physical faculties of the brain. That covers a wide range of the medical spectrum, from neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, physical therapists and you’re your own primary care physician. Each case is different, but even in less severe cases of TBI, all of these medical resources may need to be accessed. In more severe cases, permanent long-term care needs may be required. The most important thing to remember about TBI is – see a doctor immediately.
How can traumatic brain injury cases be more difficult than other personal injury accidents?
Below are some reasons why TBI cases can be more complex than other personal injury cases:
- Head and brain injuries can have serious physical, emotional and cognitive effects that may impact a person’s life forever. Attorneys have to be very knowledgeable and experienced to be able to effectively capture the impact a brain injury may have on someone’s life and to aggressively represent the victim to ensure the maximum compensation possible.
- Brain injury cases can be very expensive. Not only can the medical cost of treating brain injuries be enormous, but the cost of hiring medical experts to prove and build up a case can also be significant. A brain injury attorney should have the resources available to pursue such cases. At Demas Law Group, P.C., we strive to hire the best experts in the field such as investigators, neurologists, neuropsychologists, vocational rehab counselors, and economists. In prior cases, we have invested over $200,000 in costs alone to hire the best scientists and experts in the field.
- Some brain injuries may be difficult to prove. Head and brain injuries are subtle and not easily identifiable (even with an x-ray or CAT-scan). To show that an accident caused a brain injury, lawyers may rely on many different experts and witnesses, whose testimony may not always be considered objective by the defense. To show that a trauma caused brain injury, lawyers often need to call on witnesses who knew the victim before the injury occurred and who have seen the effects of brain damage on the victim.
- Because the science involved in serious brain injuries is evolving constantly, brain injury lawyers need to remain up-to-date with current treatments and medical research. They also need to be familiar with the best medical treatments and experts in the field to best serve their clients.
Where can I obtain more information about suing the responsible party to recover my medical expenses and other damages?
Brain injury cases can be very complex. We urge you to contact Demas Law Group, P.C., for more information on how you can pursue your case. You may also want to visit our General FAQs page for answers to the questions below:
- How do I pay my expensive medical bills after sustaining a brain injury?
- The insurance company is offering a settlement for the TBI I suffered after an accident. Do I still need an attorney?
- What can I be compensated for after a traumatic brain injury that wasn’t my fault?
- What is my head injury case worth?
- What will it cost me to hire Demas Law Group, P.C., in a head injury case?
What are helpful resources for brain injury victims and their families?
- The Center for Disease Control is the comprehensive source for TBI information: http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/index.html
- The Brain Injury Association of America offers help to victims of TBI: http://www.biausa.org/
- The Brain Injury Association of California (BIACAL) provides information, resources, education, advocacy and support for those affected by brain injury: http://biacal.org/
