A traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Sandy Springs, Georgia, can upend your life in an instant. From mounting medical bills to the struggle of daily living, these injuries create challenges that can feel overwhelming.
If you have suffered a TBI caused by someone else’s intentional actions or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A Sandy Springs brain injury attorney can help you explore your legal options for recovering the compensation you need.
At Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we have more than 50 years of combined experience representing injury victims in Sandy Springs, GA. Contact our law office at (678) 605-9838 to schedule a free consultation with a Sandy Springs brain injury lawyer to discuss how we can help you.
How Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Brain Injury In Sandy Springs, GA
At Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve been helping accident victims for nearly a decade, with over 50 years of combined experience. Our Sandy Springs, GA, firm has recovered tens of millions in compensation for clients, earning recognition from Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Here is how our Sandy Springs personal injury lawyers can help you after an accident:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to identify potentially liable parties and determine how your accident happened
- Gather evidence to build a strong case
- Work closely with experts to calculate your losses and provide expert testimony
- Handle all communications on your behalf
- Negotiate to seek a settlement agreement
- File a lawsuit and present your case to a jury if a fair settlement can’t be reached
- Provide support and legal advice throughout your case
Let our Sandy Springs personal injury attorneys shoulder the legal burden while you focus on your recovery. Call our law firm today for a free consultation with a Sandy Springs brain injury attorney so we can begin working on your case. Because we accept cases on a contingency fee basis, you do not pay anything out of pocket for the legal representation you deserve.
Overview of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are brain damage caused by an external force, whether it’s a physical blow or rapid back-and-forth movement that causes the brain to move within the skull. TBIs are different from acquired brain injuries (ABIs) which are caused by external forces like infection or stroke.
According to the CDC, there are more than 230,000 people hospitalized for traumatic brain injuries every year. About 50,000 people die from TBIs, and 85,000 are left with long-term disability.
What Are Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
TBIs vary in severity and type. Common examples include:
- Concussion (mild TBI)
- Hematoma
- Coup and contrecoup injuries
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
- Anoxic/hypoxic Injuries
- Second impact syndrome (SIS)
The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to evaluate brain injuries and classify them by severity. TBIs are classified as mild, moderate, or severe. However, even mild brain injuries can have serious and lasting effects.
What Are the Symptoms of a Brain Injury?
Mild brain injuries can be difficult to recognize, especially in oneself. It’s a common misconception that a brain injury requires a blow to the head or loss of consciousness. However, loss of consciousness is usually an indicator of a more serious injury.
Common signs of a traumatic brain injury include:
- Headache, especially a headache that worsens over time
- Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or sensitivity to sound
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty concentrating or foggy thinking
- Memory loss, particularly short-term memory
- Mood swings or irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of consciousness, even momentarily
Moderate to severe injuries may cause slurred speech, trouble understanding speech, behavioral changes, unequal pupils, seizures, and coma.
It’s important to remember that brain injury symptoms can be delayed by hours or days after an injury. Seek medical care if you are involved in an accident, even if you do not think you are injured.
What Are the Potential Long-Term Consequences of a TBI?
Brain injuries can have profound and lasting effects, including:
- Cognitive impairments: memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and communication problems
- Emotional challenges: anxiety, depression, and mood swings
- Physical issues: chronic pain, impaired motor function, and poor coordination
- Behavioral and emotional issues: personality changes, poor emotional regulation, impulsiveness, and reduced inhibition
Brain injury survivors may experience problems with relationships and social interactions. Many struggle with tasks of daily living, self-care, and independence.
Up to 60% of brain injury survivors experience chronic pain even decades after a TBI. A growing body of research indicates even minor brain injuries can increase the risk of dementia and other disorders.
What Causes Most Brain Injuries In Sandy Springs, Georgia?
Below are the leading causes of TBIs in the Sandy Springs area.
Falls
Almost half of TBI-related ER visits are due to a fall. For adults 75 and older, falls are the top cause of brain injuries. About 81% of all TBIs in seniors happen in a slip and fall accident. Falls are also responsible for one-third of fatal brain injuries.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Among children and adults under 75 years old, traffic accidents are the leading cause of brain injuries. Car accidents, truck accidents, and other collisions cause 24% of nonfatal TBI hospitalizations. Nearly one-third of TBIs in adolescents involve car accidents.
Motorcyclists have a higher risk of TBI in a crash than occupants of a passenger vehicle. Wearing a helmet is one of the best ways to prevent a TBI in a motorcycle crash. Federally approved helmet use can reduce the risk of TBI by two-thirds.
Workplace Accidents
Workers often suffer TBIs from the following scenarios:
- Falls from heights
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Being struck by an object
- Vehicle accidents
- Violence
- Machinery accidents
- Explosions
Certain occupations have a higher risk of TBI on the job including construction workers, warehouse workers, emergency responders, drivers, and agricultural workers.
Sports and Recreation
Concussions are very prevalent in high-impact sports and recreational activities. It’s estimated that 21% of brain injuries in children occur in sports. It’s believed that recreation and sports cause 10% of all TBIs. Certain sports and activities have a higher risk of TBI, including contact sports like boxing and football and activities like diving and horseback riding.
Violence
Sadly, many brain injuries are caused by acts of violence, not accidents. It’s estimated that assault, domestic violence, shootings, stabbings, and other forms of violence cause 11% of TBIs. According to the American Brain Foundation, about three out of every four domestic violence survivors suffer at least one brain injury. Most of these injuries go undiagnosed or unreported.
What Is My Sandy Springs Brain Injury Case Worth?
Determining the value of a brain injury case is a process that takes time.
There are many complex factors that may influence the value of your case, such as:
- The severity of your brain injury
- Your ability to return to work
- Whether your injury could be visualized on diagnostic tests
- How easily a jury could see the effects of your injury
- The circumstances of your accident
- How your injury affects your daily life
- Insurance coverage available to pay for your damages
- Whether you share any fault for your injury
To ensure you receive a fair settlement, our legal team will work with specialists in many fields to assess these factors and calculate your damages. Some damages, like projected future medical bills and the value of diminished earning potential, require careful calculation and expert testimony.
What Types of Damages Are Available To Brain Injury Victims In Georgia?
Georgia law allows brain injury victims to recover compensatory damages from the at-fault party in a personal injury claim. There are two types of compensatory damages. Economic damages compensate for the financial losses you suffered or your damages with a monetary value. Non-economic damages compensate you for personal losses that have no intrinsic financial value.
Examples of compensable damages include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling
- Lost wages during your recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot perform the same type of work or any job
- Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress and anguish
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Reduced quality of life
Punitive damages are available in rare cases involving a defendant’s egregious conduct.
Can I Still Recover Damages If I Share Fault For My Accident In Georgia?
Yes, Georgia’s modified comparative negligence statute allows you to recover damages as long as you are 49% or less to blame for your accident. Georgia’s 50% bar means you cannot recover any compensation if you are 50% or more at fault.
Any percentage of liability you are assigned will directly reduce your financial recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File a Brain Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia law imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases. In most cases, you have two years from the date of your injury or accident to file a lawsuit. Two years may seem like a long time, but it’s crucial to act quickly.
Contact Our Sandy Springs Brain Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Have you suffered a life-changing brain injury in Sandy Springs, Georgia? Let Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers fight for the compensation you need to move forward. With five decades of combined experience and tens of millions recovered for our clients, our attorneys are ready to help. Call us today for a free consultation with a Sandy Springs brain injury lawyer.