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Brain Injury Lawyer Decatur, Alabama

Brain Injury Attorney Decatur, Alabama

Brain Injury It's a familiar story: you're driving in your car, and you stop at a stoplight. Suddenly, you are rear-ended by another car. Here's what can happen to you under such circumstances, especially if you aren't wearing a seat belt.

First, the head will snap forward due to the laws of motion and momentum. It will be abruptly stopped by an airbag or some other object with which it impacts, or simply because the seat belt does its work and prevents the body from flying forward too far. Then there is a "contrecoup" motion, the snapping back of the head. This results in the brain sloshing first to the front of the head, and then the back, possibly bruising itself twice.

There is a popular misconception among many people that TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) cause an immediate loss of consciousness. In fact, this is untrue. It's quite possible to sustain a TBI without losing consciousness.

This is why it's important to get a competent physician as soon as possible after your accident. Symptoms of brain injuries may take a certain amount of time to make themselves apparent. The sooner you get a competent doctor's diagnosis, the easier it will be to build a civil case.

What is a TBI?

A traumatic brain injury is medically defined as damage to the tissues of the brain by external forces, which consists of at least one of the following symptoms: (A) a loss of consciousness, however temporary, (B) amnesia (meaning the person cannot recall the event), or (C) skull fractures, seizures, or abnormal brain scans.

What Causes TBI?

The CDC collected brain injury data between 2002 and 2006 and found that the foremost cause of brain injuries was falls, at 35% of the total. Car crashes made up 17% of the total. Car crashes were found to be the most common cause of moderate to severe brain injuries (ones which necessitate the victim being admitted to a neurological intensive care unit).

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control conducted a study in 2006, which showed that 1.4 million Americans received traumatic brain injuries on an annual basis. Of that number, well over a quarter of a million (280,000) people received a TBI in a motor vehicle accident.

Symptoms of TBI

The brain consists of roughly three pounds of soft, porous tissue suspended in cerebrospinal fluid within the skull cavity. The brain is protected by three layers of membranes, meaning that it is immune, to some degree, to sudden jolts or impacts. If the impact is strong enough, however, the brain's defenses will be overwhelmed and the organ will slosh around inside the skull, bruising itself against the walls of its prison. This can lead to brain bruising, hemorrhaging, and damage to the axons and neurons of the brain cells. A violent impact (such a car accident) can also cause something called DAI, or diffuse axonal injury, which is a whole-brain injury caused by the stretching of the brain fibers during impact. This frequently results in a loss of consciousness and a loss of function in the brain, as a DAI may pull, stretch, or even tear the neurons (the brain's individual cells) and axons (the fibers connecting the neurons and allowing them to communicate with each other). If these brain components are damaged, they will die, and the person may suffer permanent brain damage. This type of TBI is difficult to detect on brain scans.

Even days after the accident, secondary injuries may develop: fatigue, weakness, loss of concentration or memory, learning problems, hallucinations, dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, sensitivity to light or sound, sleeping difficulty, confusion, disorientation, even fainting and/or seizures. These are typically the result of the brain's blood vessels being torn or damaged and the brain not receiving the oxygen it needs.

It's important to remember that even low-speed accidents can cause life-altering and debilitating brain injuries. If you or someone you care about has been involved in an accident and has sustained a brain injury, you need to get in touch with a competent brain injury attorney and protect your legal rights.

Why You Should Hire a Brain Injury Lawyer

There are a number of reasons to hire a competent brain injury lawyer if you've been involved in an accident and sustained a TBI or even a mild traumatic brain injury (MBTI). While the CDC has found that brain injuries (even mild ones) can have long-lasting and drastic consequences for injured persons, insurance companies will nonetheless attempt to deny your claim. Brain injuries often require years of treatment, and this can be very costly for insurance companies. In particular, insurance companies often refuse to pay settlements to anyone who did not lose consciousness while receiving a brain injury. But as we've seen, even traumatic brain injuries may not result in a loss of consciousness. You should give serious consideration to hiring an aggressive, experienced brain injury attorney to help you seek justice for the life-changing damage and inconvenience caused you.


Get Competent Legal Help From the Reeves Law Firm

TBIs and MTBIs are no joking matter: if you've been in an accident recently and have displayed any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should get in touch with a brain injury lawyer. These injuries can cause lifelong complications and drastically alter individuals' lifestyles. We fight for victims' rights in Decatur, Huntsville, and all across Alabama and Tennessee. Call us today at 256-355-3311 for a free consultation

Client Reviews
★★★★★
“Mr. Reeves came highly recommended from a family member. He worked tirelessly on my personal injury case with the end results being greater than I ever expected. Mr. Reeves and his staff did an outstanding job keeping me up to date on everything going on with my case. I highly recommend Greg Reeves if you want results beyond your expectations.” Paula G.
★★★★★
“I was injured by an uninsured motorist - out of state. Mr. Reeves went above and beyond to ensure my case was handled accordingly. I had no idea how to begin due to the extenuating circumstances. He handled everything and kept me informed throughout the process.” Stacy
★★★★★
“My daughter and I were in a serious car wreck. Without hesitation we chose Greg to represent us. He worked tirelessly and we ended up gaining more than we ever imagined. Greg is a caring, dependable, and assertive lawyer and we were blessed to have him on our side.” S. Rice
★★★★★
"Mr. Reeves did a great job for me on my accident claim. He is top notch in my book. Always responsive ( and that is most important to me ) and gave me good advice. I would definitely recommend him in an accident or personal injury case. If I ever have to deal with something like this again you can bet I will consult with him." D. Harville
★★★★★
"I am grateful I had Greg Reeves as a personal injury attorney and I highly recommend him. He was meticulous during the discovery phase and "left no stone unturned". I appreciate his patience and professionalism during the process. Greg's support staff was a pleasure to work with as well." M. J.
★★★★★
"Greg helped my father with a personal injury case. He did an exceptional job! He kept my Dad informed throughout the entire process and got very fair results. Greg was very supportive during a difficult time in our life which is very appreciative when you don't know what to expect. His integrity, honesty, and knowledge exceeded anything we could have expected. He went above and beyond! My family highly recommends Greg." A. Bowen