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North Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer | Tatum & Atkinson

North Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

Home / Brain Injury Lawyer / North Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

Accidents are unfortunate events that affect many citizens across the U.S. on a daily basis. In these unfortunate events, accident injury victims, along with their loved ones and families, are often profoundly impacted. For those who are injured, the effects could be catastrophic. In the majority of situations, traumatic brain injury victims require extensive medical care, therapy, and aid to return to their lives. Their quality of life may suffer as a result of the inability to participate in previously enjoyed activities. In 2020, there were a total of 247,214 car crashes in North Carolina. Accidents such as these cause emotional, physical, and financial trauma to the sufferers who’ve sustained a traumatic brain injury. Tatum and Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters’ have a team of skilled legal professionals and qualified traumatic brain injury lawyers available to assist you following a traumatic brain injury, so that you can get your life back on track to an optimal state.

How Do Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen?

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) most frequently occur due to intense force and impact such as from a car collision or from falls. Head traumas, such as striking the head against the steering wheel of a vehicle or hitting the head against any hard surface may lead to brain damage. Traumatic brain injuries are often considered complex because the patient may appear unaffected,  and to aggravate the matter, many traumatic brain injuries will not appear on CT scans or MRIs. Furthermore, because the symptoms are either delayed or sometimes wrongly attributed to the patients’ other collision-related injuries, these injuries can be difficult to detect. 

The CDC estimates that 2% of the population will have a TBI, which equates to approximately 208,000 people in North Carolina.  At Tatum and Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters’ we are an experienced team of traumatic brain injury attorneys, who understand how difficult it is to contend with these complex injuries. During a free consultation with our firm, we will listen to the unique circumstances surrounding your claim and present you with the best course of action, so that you may get the ball rolling and focus on recovering.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury

As mentioned above, traumatic brain injury symptoms may be difficult to detect. However, traumatic brain injuries, no matter the type or severity often present with a similar set of symptoms, which may include:

  • Loss of memory
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Difficulty in communicating
  • Lack of judgment
  • Cognitive deficits
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Balance problems
  • Sleeping problems

Car Accident Traumatic Brain Injury

When a person is involved in a car collision it is extremely likely their head will be suddenly jolted. It is not uncommon for car accident injury victims to have their heads strike the dashboard, steering wheel, glass, or other solid item when involved in a collision. But even without a direct hit or jolt to the head, a person’s brain might still sustain damage. The power of the rapid movement and impact often causes a person’s head to become jolted backward and forward causing the brain to crash into the cranial cavity. A brain hemorrhage or infection can develop within the brain or outside the brain due to the rupture of some blood vessels.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can range from minor injuries to permanent, lifelong damage. Traumatic brain injuries can have a significant impact on your life, alter the quality of it, and impact your functional capacities. Below find a list of some of the most common types of traumatic brain injury:

Concussions

Concussions are a type of minor TBI, or mTBI that occur when the brain is jolted inside the cranial cavity. Concussions can lead to symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Concussions may also present with a brief loss of consciousness.

Contusions

A contusion is the medical term for a bruise. Contusions to the brain may occur when force is applied to the head, causing the brain to strike the skull, damaging the small blood vessels.

Skull Fractures

Skull fractures are considered open traumatic brain injuries. Open brain injuries are also referred to as penetrating brain injuries, indicating that the skull has been penetrated.  Skull fractures occur due to extreme impact during an accident and may require surgery to correct.

Hematomas

Hematomas are blood clots that often occur due to the force of impact as the head strikes anything hard, leading to the rupture of a blood vessel and the formation of blood clots within the brain.

What to Do after a Traumatic Brain Injury

Seek Medical Treatment

If you are experiencing  any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should not ignore them or try to tough it out. Seek immediate medical assistance and explain in detail to medical professionals whatever symptoms you are facing so they can help you accordingly. Whenever you are involved in an accident or have injured your head, it is best to receive an evaluation from a medical professional. Symptoms may not present themselves right away due to shock and adrenaline related to the accident. Ensure that you follow your doctor’s recommendations, including any instructions for follow up care. When it comes to receiving compensation for damages that were incurred due to the negligence of another, medical records stand as critical evidence. Without them, the integrity of your claim could be severely diminished.

Receive Legal Advice

Traumatic brain injuries are often costly. Medical expenses could easily exceed thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, you may be facing property damage, lost income, and other losses associated with the accident.  Tatum and Atkinson’s traumatic brain injury lawyers can assist you to ensure that you receive the most robust financial compensation possible following the accident and that you never settle for less than you deserve. We acknowledge the importance of preserving critical evidence and will take action on your case as soon as possible, allowing you to focus on recovering rather than negotiating with insurance companies who do not have your best interests at heart.

Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

A traumatic brain injury sustained in any type of accident can be classified as minor or severe, but in any case,  recovery is often a slow process that may put your life on hold. Rehabilitation is an important aspect of recovering from a moderate to severe brain injury. In some instances, even after a minor brain injury, there are several rehab centers that can help you recover physically and mentally after the incident. They help you recover from post-traumatic stress and assist you in focusing on yourself so that you can get the most out of the healing process.

Why You Should Claim Compensation After Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries affect your daily lifestyle. They can have temporary effects or some effects that may be permanent, depending on the severity and location of the injury. These effects may include:

  • Inability to perform your daily tasks
  • Unable to return to work
  • Loss of personal relations
  • Medical bills
  • Emotional and mental trauma
  • Property damage
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Permanent disability
  • And more

These damages can affect you not only financially but also psychologically. Our law firm knows how difficult it is to recover after a traumatic incident, and we are dedicated to working diligently to make sure you receive the justice you deserve.

North Carolina Contributory Negligence Law

North Carolina follows the doctrine of contributory negligence. According to this legal rule, if you were even slightly at fault in causing the accident, you will be unable to recover the damages you suffered due to the accident. Therefore, it is very important that you get legal support following the accident and avoid making any statements to insurance companies or others before contacting us so you don’t make any mistakes that could prevent you from recovering your loss.

North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations for Recovering Damages

The statute of limitations in North Carolina for recovering damages is a specific time period in which the victim can file a lawsuit for the recovery of their damages. Personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury claims, are typically given three years from the date of the injury to file. It is best to contact a professional who has relevant and strong experience in traumatic brain injury cases so that you can be properly guided.

North Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury, contact our law firm as soon as possible. Our experienced traumatic brain injury attorneys will assist you so that you can rest assured that your rights are protected. Generally speaking, traumatic brain injuries are complex and can be difficult to prove in court, but our experienced brain injury lawyers are determined to work passionately for your claim so that you may obtain the best outcome. We can assist you by:

  • Providing you with top-notch legal advice
  • Investigating your case thoroughly ensuring no evidence is left behind
  • Managing all of your paperwork
  • Making sure you’re aware of all laws related to your case
  • Negotiating with the insurance companies for you and ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve
  • Preparing and filing a lawsuit when necessary

At Tatum & Atkinson, ’the Heavy Hitters,” you’ll have a trusted and committed legal advocate fighting for your rights and working towards a just outcome. Don’t wait; call (800) 529-0804 or connect with us online today to start your journey toward getting the justice and peace of mind you deserve.