A Kansas high school sophomore is currently in rehabilitation after he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a car accident. He spent the last three months in rehabilitation, learning how to engage in day-to-day activities again. The family is attempting to transfer him into a clinic that specializes in traumatic brain injuries. Unfortunately, many teenagers suffer traumatic brain injuries in car accidents in Kansas and throughout the United States every year.
Teens are particularly susceptible to brain injuries not only from automobile accidents but also from sports, being struck in the head by an object, and falling.
How Do Car Accidents Cause TBIs?
Passengers and drivers traveling at high speeds can sustain a blow to the head when the vehicle changes directions or suddenly stops in a car accident. When an airbag fails to deploy, a victim can slam their head against the steering wheel, causing a traumatic brain injury. Even when the airbags are working properly, a passenger or driver can suffer a brain injury from the airbag’s impact. A traumatic brain injury is defined as “an injury to the brain caused by a blow or jolt to the head from blunt or penetrating trauma.”
Traumatic brain injuries can cause the following symptoms and may be particularly difficult to diagnose in children and teenagers as they may not be able to verbalize symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Memory loss
- Confusion/disorientation
- Loss of consciousness
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Poor concentration
- Depression and anxiety
- Mood swings and problems controlling emotions
- Vision and hearing changes
- Difficulties with word finding and speech
Recovering Damages After a Severe Car Accident
Traumatic brain injuries often have a lifelong impact, especially children and teenagers. In some cases, the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury will go away after a few months. However, many victims continue to have ongoing symptoms that can be painful and prevent them from living the life they previously lived. Seeking compensation after a traumatic brain injury accident is one way to provide financially for yourself and your family.
Depending on your unique circumstances, you may have a right to submit an insurance claim for compensation. In Kansas, victims have a right to file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s policy. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury in a commercial venue, you might be able to bring obtain compensation from the property owner. An experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer will evaluate your case and determine the best avenue for seeking compensation.
Your lawyer can also help you compose a detailed list of the expenses related to your traumatic brain injury. Coming up with an accurate estimate of the cost of medical care you will need going forward is crucial to your case. Finally, your lawyer will conduct an in-depth investigation to gather evidence of the at-fault driver’s negligence or recklessness.
Contact a Kansas TBI Lawyer Today
If you or your loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to financial damages. Recovering compensation in a personal injury lawsuit is always challenging, but it is even more complex in traumatic brain injury cases. You need an attorney who has an in-depth understanding of traumatic brain injuries and how they affect victims’ day-to-day lives. At Griggs Injury Law, we focus a large part of our practice on helping TBI victims recover the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
