Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Arkansas
Common Injuries from Auto, Truck and Motorcycle Accidents
You get into a car accident and bump your head on the steering wheel. It’s just a bump, and you feel lucky to be alive. Unfortunately, what may seem like an innocent blow to the head could be something more serious: a brain injury. Brain injuries are common after car and truck accidents.
During the crash, the head can hit hard objects in the vehicle, such as the dashboard, window, and steering wheel. When this occurs, the brain can suffer from trauma. This trauma can be a serious and life-threatening brain injury, or it can be a milder form of brain injury known as a concussion.
Yet, even concussions can result in significant complications, impairments, and a lifetime of chronic pain and suffering. That is why concussion accident victims need a skilled Arkansas car accident lawyer and trusted law firm on their side from the very start. Your personal injury attorney will be able to help you obtain the money you need and the compensation you deserve so you can put your life back together again after a brain injury.
What is a Concussion?
Traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of death and disability in Arkansas and across the United States. A traumatic brain injury occurs when a bump or blow to the head disrupts the normal function of the brain. The long-term consequences depend on the type of brain injury suffered and the severity of the injury.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. It often occurs alongside an impact to the head or after a whiplash injury. The symptoms of a concussion are relatively mild compared to more serious and life-threatening traumatic brain injuries. While concussions are not life-threatening, they do cause symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Some concussions can result in significant long-term disability and suffering.
Common Causes of Concussions
Any injury to the head can cause a concussion. However, the most common causes of brain injury or concussions include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Slip and fall
- Sports accidents
- Recreational activities
- Abuse or assault
Children who play contact sports, such as football and hockey, are at an increased risk for suffering concussions. Likewise, the elderly are at an increased risk of suffering a concussion from a fall.
Signs and Symptoms of Concussion
There are numerous signs and symptoms of a concussion. Sometimes the symptoms of a concussion appear immediately. However, many times, it can take hours, days, or even weeks for the full extent of your injury to become fully apparent.
If you notice any of these signs after a car or truck accident, seek medical help immediately:
Loss of consciousness | Nausea or vomiting |
Memory problems, | Difficulty balancing |
Fatigue or drowsiness | Slowed reaction to stimuli |
Dizziness | Slurred speech |
Vision changes | Abnormal eye movement |
Headaches | Irritability |
Confusion |
Diagnosis and Treatment of Concussion
If you believe you have a concussion, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. When arriving at the emergency room, your doctor will perform a series of medical tests and examinations to determine if a concussion or other brain injury is present. This may include physical exams, as well as MRIs or CT scans. Some doctors use a special eye test to check for concussions.
Treatment for a concussion depends largely on the seriousness of concussion symptoms. Most concussions do not require specific medical intervention. However, the majority of brain injury victims will be sent home with instructions to rest, avoid sports activities, and avoid driving a vehicle until they are fully recovered.
Experienced lawyers can help recognize a brain injury, but it is important that you seek both professional medical attention as well as legal counsel after a head injury. It is important to follow your doctor’s orders precisely after the car accident and diagnosis. Failure to follow your treatment plan could jeopardize your ability to collect the money you need.
Compensation for Brain Injuries
When seeking compensation after a brain injury, it is important to understand the long-term consequences and complications you may face. Insurance companies don’t usually want to pay concussion victims the maximum compensation to which they are entitled. As such, they will go to extraordinary lengths to try and pay as little as compensation possible. They may even claim that concussions aren’t a serious injury. They will claim this despite the fact that previous research has shown that 10 to 20 percent of all concussion patients continue to experience symptoms a year or more after their head injury.
Even if you suffered a mild brain injury, such as a concussion, you may need more compensation than you realize. Injured accident victims who suffer a brain injury often need to be compensated for:
- Medical expenses
- Hospitalizations
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
What to Do If You Think You Have a Concussion
Concussions may not be life-threatening, but they can cause significant injury and damage if left untreated. The most important step you can take after you have suffered a brain injury, such as a concussion, is to seek medical help and rest. Do not attempt to drive or “work through it.” These injuries should not be taken lightly, and accident victims need to take care of themselves first before they can move forward after an accident.
If you believe you have suffered a concussion or brain injury in an Arkansas car accident, it is important to take the following steps immediately:
- Seek medical attention (call 911)
- Gather the other driver’s contact information
- Obtain eyewitness contact information
- Talk to the police or fill out an accident report
- Take pictures of the crash, including any evidence that could help your case
- Keep copies of all receipts and details of your accident
- Contact an experienced and skilled Arkansas car accident lawyer
The sooner you involve a trusted law firm and experienced personal injury attorney, the better they will be able to guide you so you can be sure to receive maximum compensation. Don’t go through the complicated claims processes alone after a brain injury.
Our Experience Matters
Traumatic brain injuries and concussions are common after a car accident. However, not every law firm has the experience and resources needed to help brain injury victims obtain full compensation. Insurance companies are often skeptical of concussions and reluctant to pay these claims. As such, you need a dedicated lawyer and trustworthy law firm on your side to fight for you and your rights during this time.
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our Little Rock, Arkansas car accident lawyers have successfully represented numerous car accident victims who have suffered from concussions or traumatic brain injuries. Here are just a few of the clients we’ve helped in their quest for justice.
- $1,215,000 – Auto accident victim with head injuries and broken bones
- $992,000 – Truck accident victim with brain injury
- $700,000 – Car accident victim with brain injury and fractured back
- $550,000 – Car accident victim with brain injury and broken bones
We’re There When You Need Us
If you’ve suffered a concussion or a traumatic brain injury of any kind in an accident you need an experienced and skilled Arkansas brain injury attorney in your corner. At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton law firm, our brain injury attorneys know how devastating these injuries can be. We also know that even mild brain injuries take time to heal. This can mean a significant loss of income, as well as hefty medical bills.
With seven offices conveniently located throughout Arkansas and Tennessee—Little Rock, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Bryant, and Memphis—our personal injury lawyers are there whenever you need us. Fill out a free form or simply dial (800) 434-4800 and tell us about your story.