If you have been injured because of someone else's negligence, you need Guster Law Firm on your team.
Birmingham Brain Injury Attorney
Legal Guidance After a Traumatic Brain Injury—(205) 581-9777
There has been a great deal of discussion in recent years regarding brain injuries and how they affect the lives of sufferers and those close to them. Brain injuries have been the subject of many news specials, scholarly articles, and even a Hollywood movie starring Will Smith. This surge in interest on the topic is, no doubt, due to the effects of brain trauma we've witnessed in veterans returning from wars in the Middle East and notable former professional athletes.
There's no doubt about it—brain injuries can drastically impact the future of the victim and their family. If you or a family member has suffered a brain injury, the years ahead may be very trying. You need to prepare for this uncertain future by contacting a skilled brain injury attorney in Birmingham. Guster Law Firm, LLC has been successfully representing Alabama injury victims and their families since we opened our doors in 2002.
Call us today for a free consultation at (205) 581-9777.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries
While we hear a lot about brain injuries resulting from combat and contact sports, the majority of brain injuries are caused by more common and mundane accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most brain injuries are caused by falls—55% for children aged 14 and under, and 81% for adults aged 65 and older. Overall, falls cause 40.5% of brain injuries. Being unintentionally struck by an object, motor vehicle accidents, and assaults are other major causes of brain injuries.
Car Accidents & Traumatic Brain Injuries
In the world of personal injury law, TBI cases tend to result from either falls or auto accidents. The CDC reports that 20% of TBI-related hospitalizations in the U.S. are a direct result of car crashes. In 2014, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of hospitalizations for TBIs in people between the ages of 15 to 44.
Car crashes can lead to brain injuries in many ways, including:
- Whiplash: Whiplash is caused when a sudden jolt causes the head to move backward and then forward with great force, often causing the brain to shift inside the skull. Whiplash injuries vary from mild to severe and are common in rear-end car accidents.
- Being stuck by or against something: Car accidents often lead to victims being hit by or against an object, such as a windshield. This can cause minor to serious head trauma.
- Penetrating injuries: The impact of a car crash can cause high-velocity projectiles or objects of lower velocity—such as bone fragments from a skull fracture—to enter the brain. Brain injuries caused by a penetrative object are typically extremely serious medical emergencies that may cause permanent disability or death.
Effects of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can have mild to severe effects on a person. Some effects may go unnoticed until they get worse, and others that may not emerge for years to come.
Traumatic brain injuries can have the following effects on an accident victim:
- Severe headaches
- Memory problems
- Attention deficits
- Difficulty thinking
- Mood swings
- Frustration
- Agitation
- Emotional and physical aggressiveness
- Impaired cognitive function
- Difficulty with speech or language
- Limited function of limbs
- Altered sexual functioning
- Depression
- Personality changes
- Dementia
- Partial or full paralysis
Compensation for Brain Injury Damages
The CDC estimates that 5.3 million Americans are living with disabilities related to brain injuries. From the symptoms listed above, you can easily imagine how hard it may be for some of these people to hold down a job, interact with family and friends, learn new skills, and function without assistance on a daily basis.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, you or they may be able to pursue compensation for any of the following damages:
- Medical bills—current and future
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Costs of in-home care
- Institutionalization
- Lost wages
- Loss of career or earning capacity
- Diminished earning capacity
- Hedonic damages for loss of joy of life
Contact a Dedicated Birmingham Brain Injury Lawyer
If you or a family member has suffered a brain injury, you need to contact a qualified Birmingham brain injury attorney on your side. The legal team at Guster Law Firm, LLC can help you and your family secure a future where the brain injury victim will have the care they need. Let us fight against the responsible parties and their insurance companies so you can focus on recovery during this trying time.
Call our Birmingham office at (205) 581-9777 to schedule a free consultation.
Additional Information
Reasons to Hire a Birmingham Brain Injury Lawyer
Because a brain injury can have permanent and life-altering effects on your life, it is vital that you receive adequate compensation to cover your medical bills and other expenses for good, not just the immediate aftermath of your injury. If you simply accept the first settlement offer you receive from an insurance company, chances are the compensation provided won’t be nearly enough to set you or your loved one up for the long run. This is because insurance companies typically only look out for their own bottom line, so they do their best not to pay more than they have to.
Hiring a brain injury attorney to negotiate a settlement on your behalf is often the only way to secure the funds you need. An experienced Birmingham brain injury lawyer understands the complexities involved with TBI treatment and recovery as well as how to navigate the legal system. Though taking legal action often means you have to wait longer to receive compensation, the result is worthwhile.
“Eric Guster and his team are some of the best attorneys in Birmingham. Mr. Guster and his team are knowledgeable, caring, and respected by other lawyers and the courts.”
- Falen C.
When you or a loved one has been injured by someone else's negligence, you need Alabama's Premier Personal Injury Law Firm on your side.
