No matter how careful and cautious you are, there is always the chance that you will be in an accident. Accidents in which you hurt your head are some of the most dangerous kinds. A knock to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury, which can have a devastating impact on your lifestyle and mental health. You should never disregard the symptoms of a TBI, and you should remain alert for signs of one in the days, weeks, and months following your accident. An overlooked or undiagnosed brain injury can make it hard to claim compensation for it later on. However, some brain injuries are so subtle and difficult to find that you have to wait sometime before they can be detected.
Once your physician has diagnosed a brain injury, you should hire a Reno traumatic brain injury lawyer. A Reno brain injury lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve to pay your medical bills and rebuild your life.
What Causes Traumatic Brain Injury
TBIs are usually the result of a violent blow or shock to your head. The consequence of such a force is the brain hitting the inside of your skull and damaging delicate tissue. A traumatic brain injury can result from slip-and-falls, vehicle accidents, violent assaults, sports-related injuries, and industrial accidents. A concussion, which is the violent shaking of the brain, is the most common type of TBI. However, there are more severe conditions that can permanently alter your life.
Common Signs and Symptoms
If you injured your head in an accident, the physician who treats you at the hospital will carry out a range of tests that will determine whether you have TBI. Some of the symptoms they will look for include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Altered mental state
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
Some of the symptoms may not appear until well after you have left the hospital. These include mood changes, changes in sleeping habits, loss of memory, difficulty concentrating, and painful response to light. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, you should return to your physician for an examination. The first MRI or CT scan you underwent may not pick up the damage. Going through the same battery of tests a second time may yield different results.
If you do not receive a proper diagnosis of your traumatic brain injury, you will not be able to undergo the required treatment. The condition can degenerate and cause severe complications.
Protecting Your Legal Rights
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident that was caused by the negligence or recklessness of another person, then you should hold them accountable. You should not sign away your right to file a lawsuit by accepting a low-dollar settlement offer. You should protect your legal right to sue and get the compensation you deserve by hiring a personal injury attorney Reno NV and building a case.
The insurance company or legal team of the person responsible for the accident that caused your injury may try to reach out to you to settle the matter quickly. You should refer them to the personal injury law firm Reno Nevada you have hired to represent you. There is no need to describe, explain, or justify your position. All you need to do is tell them the contact information for your lawyer. Saying anything else can compromise your legal case. You should leave all communication and negotiation with the respondent to your Reno personal injury lawyer.
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury because of an accident, you should speak to the Reno brain injury attorneys at the Law Office of Stephen Osborne.