Experienced Bakersfield Brain Injury Lawyers

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are extremely complex injury cases, as the full implications of the victim’s trauma may not become entirely evident for several weeks, months, or years. Depending upon the severity of the injuries, TBIs can have a long-lasting effect on victims and their families. 

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 64,000 traumatic brain injury-related fatalities in 2020. TBIs are serious public health problems, especially for the elderly. Adults 75 years and older accounted for 32% of TBI-related hospitalizations in the same year. 

Slip and falls were the leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations. Those who survived a TBI may face lifelong disabilities or long-term care, depending on the severity of the injury. The common effects of traumatic brain injury may include; memory loss, impaired movement or sensation, personality changes, depression, etc.

Farahi Law Firm’s Bakersfield brain injury lawyers have years of legal experience in fighting for fair compensation for personal injury victims.

If you or a loved one sustained a traumatic brain injury from an accident caused by the reckless actions of another person, it is within your rights to explore your legal options and file a personal injury claim. Contact us today! Our experienced team of attorneys will help guide you through your brain injury claim and fight to win you the compensation you deserve for your damages.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A TBI is caused by a bump, hit, or jolt to the head that interferes with normal brain activity. The severity of a TBI may vary from mild to severe. Mild cases can lead to a brief shift of mental state or consciousness, while a severe brain injury can lead to long periods of unconsciousness, coma, permanent brain damage, or even wrongful death.

According to John Hopkins Medicine, a brain injury can happen in one of two ways:

• Closed brain injury – These happen when there is a non-penetrating injury to the head without breakage in the skull. A closed brain injury is caused by the rapid back and forth movement of the brain inside the skull that may result in bruising and tearing of brain tissue and blood vessels. These severe injuries may arise from pedestrian accidents, motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, sexual abuse, and more. 
• Penetrating brain injury – Also known as open head injuries, these injuries happen when there is a break in the skull that pierces the brain.  

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Symptoms of brain injuries may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the severity of the injuries. Some symptoms are immediately visible. Others may appear only after some time after the accident. Our Bakersfield brain injury lawyers advise accident victims to seek the advice of medical professionals immediately after the incident occurs, even if your personal injury accident injury seems minor or non-existent. The following are common brain injury symptoms victims suffer from:

• Vomiting
• Headache
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Paralysis
• Coma
• Dilated pupils
• Ringing in the ears or hearing impairment
• Vision changes
• Dizziness and balance issues
• Breathing problems
• Slow pulse rate
• Slow breathing rate
• Increase in blood pressure
• Cognitive difficulties
• Abnormal emotional responses
• Speech difficulties
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Body numbness or tingling
• Facial numbness or weakness
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

Most Common Causes of a Traumatic Brain Injury

A TBI can be caused by any movement or hit that strikes and injures the brain. This type of injury can be the result of the following types of accidents:

• Falls 
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Struck by an object
• Physical assault 
• Blasts are a leading cause of TBI for active-duty military personnel in war zones

Who is the Most at Risk of Suffering a TBI?

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), data from 2019 shows that individuals in these categories are at the highest risk of suffering from severe brain injuries.

• Men are more likely to be victims of a TBI than women
• Active military members and veterans have an increased risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury
• American Indians/Alaska Natives have the highest hospitalization and death rate from traumatic brain injury
• People in correctional or detention facilities, research suggests that 46% of these individuals have a history of traumatic brain injury
• People experiencing homelessness are 2-4 times more likely to have a history of any type of traumatic brain injury
• Survivors of intimate partner violence
• People living in rural areas

What are the Costs of Suffering From a TBI?

In 2016, non-fatal TBIs totaled $40.6 billion in health care costs. No one can deny the importance of a sound mind. People suffering from a brain injury might be unaware of the extent of their traumatic injuries. The emotional and financial burden of surviving a brain injury takes a toll on the entire family. Often people need a longer duration of rehabilitation.

Our personal injury lawyers work hard to help our clients find the much-needed medical attention and financial compensation they will require as brain injury victims.

Medical treatment can result in exorbitant medical costs that may put someone in debt. As previously mentioned, traumatic brain injury can be caused by falls at home, traffic accidents, domestic violence, assault, or medical issues. Such debilitating physical injuries can take place anywhere at any time.

Traumatic Brain Injury Facts

• Nearly 50 people die on average due to traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. every year.
• Of all fatal injuries, traumatic brain injuries constitute 30% of cases in the U.S.
• There were about 233,135 traumatic brain injury-related hospitalizations in 2019

What Damages Can a Brain Injury Victim Claim?

If you or a loved one have sustained a traumatic brain injury from an accident caused by the negligent actions of an at-fault party. A knowledgeable Bakersfield personal injury lawyer will guide you through your claims for compensation to help you recover from your injuries and damages.

 The compensatory damages you are entitled to receive may include:

• Loss of income
• Medical bills
• Lost wages & earning capacity
• Past & future medical expenses
• Property damage
• Pain & suffering
• Shock/mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of companionship
• Occupational therapy and other rehabilitation services
• Other non-economic damages
• Punitive damages

In evaluating the accident that caused the head injury, the following factors are considered:

• What caused the accident?
• How did the injury affect your or your loved one’s health and ability to function both immediately and in the future?
• How will the injury impact the future livelihood of the victim and their family?
• What are the costs of medical care and continued therapy?

We understand the emotional distress you are facing. And nothing can undo the hardship you’re going through, but we also know that you can get justice and monetary compensation for your troubles.

Insurance Companies Taking Advantage of TBI Victims

Insurance companies often try to take advantage of TBI accident victims, especially if they lack legal counsel. An insurance adjuster will seek to lower the liability of their clients to avoid paying a fair settlement.

They may even rush you to accept an initial low-ball insurance settlement offer. And if you commit to a settlement without consulting a legal professional, you may miss out on the chance of any future TBI-related benefits. On the other hand, a personal injury attorney will protect your best interests and negotiate with insurance carriers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.

Our Bakersfield brain injury lawyers are familiar with the concerns associated with traumatic brain injury and strive to get our client’s compensation.

Why Should You Hire a Brain Injury Attorney?

Often, people who struggle with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at their wit’s end to make sense of the situation. The injury can be a physical, mental, emotional, and financial burden on the entire family. It is important to have a proper support system in place. Having a brain injury lawyer by your side who specializes in traumatic brain injuries can have the case properly evaluated and assessed to ensure that you get the proper compensation for your damages.

The injured party needs to prove the at-fault party’s liability. In the absence of substantial evidence, the liable party’s insurance company will look for reasons to deny your insurance claim. Thus, it is vital to hire an aggressive attorney immediately after the incident to protect your rights and guide you through the legal process of your claim.

A Bakersfield brain injury lawyer will have the resources to gather all the evidence to establish the liability of the accident and support your claim. They will build a strong case and legal strategy that effectively justifies how your brain injury has affected you, your life, health, future, relationships, and well-being. 

Expert Bakersfield Brain Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one is suffering from a traumatic brain injury as the result of the recklessness of a negligent party, our expert legal team of Bakersfield brain injury lawyers will offer supportive legal advice and guide you through your valid claims. 

Contact us or call us at (661) 669-7239 to schedule a free initial consultation. We offer a “no-fee guarantee” contingency basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win.