Head and neck injuries are an unfortunate yet common result of many types of accidents. Also unfortunate is the fact that these injuries can be life-altering. If you have suffered a head or neck injury due to an accident that was caused by the recklessness or negligence of someone else, you may be eligible to seek compensation that can help with medical and other expenses. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help.
Information About Head Injuries
Head injuries usually result from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Traumatic brain injuries may include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness
- Feeling dazed or confused
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Difficulty speaking
- Insomnia
- Sleeping more than usual, or inability to wake up from sleep
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision or a sensitivity to light or sound
- Memory or concentration problems
- Mood swings
- Depression or anxiety
- Persistent or worsening headache
- Dilation of one or both pupils
- Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
- Weakness, numbness, or lack of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Coma
Brain injuries can be mild, moderate, or severe, and can cause numerous problems, some of which are permanent and can even result in death. Brain injuries can alter the emotional state of the sufferer, causing hardships not only for that person, but also for his or her support system.
Information About Neck Injuries
Neck injuries – Also known as cervical spine injuries, neck injuries vary in type and severity. Some of the main types of neck injuries include:
- Soft tissue injuries. These injuries are often referred to as whiplash and can include muscle strain, ligament sprain, and disc injury. These are the most common type of neck injuries, and car accidents are the most common cause of soft tissue injuries. Neck muscle strains are graded from I to IV, with IV being the most severe.
- Nerve or spinal cord injuries. Injuries affecting the nerves or spinal cord can be quite serious. Nerve injuries occur when the spinal structure comes in contact with the spinal nerve root or the spinal cord itself. Nerve injuries are often seen with more severe soft tissue injuries. Spinal injuries may result in loss of sensation and ability to control the body below where the injury occurred, and may result in significant changes to one’s lifestyle. Victims of spinal cord injuries are often impacted socially, mentally, and emotionally.
- Herniated disc. A herniated disc occurs when the jelly-like substance within a disc escapes. Treatment may include medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.
- Neck fracture. A neck fracture occurs when a cervical bone breaks. Treatment often depends on your age, other medical conditions, and the extent of the damage.
- Cervical dislocation. Cervical dislocation occurs when one or more of the bones in the neck shift from their normal position, creating spinal instability.
Injuries to the neck and spine are often treated aggressively, as the patient’s best chance of recovery occurs within six months after the injury.
The Types of Accidents that May Result in Head and Neck Injuries
Any type of accident can cause a head or neck injury. Some of the most common causes include:
- Car accidents, the most common cause of neck injuries and the second-most common cause of head injury, behind sports-related head injuries.
- Commercial truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle or pedestrian accidents
- Falls
- Abuse or violence
Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Austin
If you suffered a neck or head injury in an accident caused by someone else, you may be entitled to recover damages from the at-fault party. The compensation that you may be eligible to receive includes economic damages, non-economic damages, and potentially even punitive damages. Below we briefly discuss each type of damage:
- Economic damages provide compensation for expenses that were directly caused by your injury, including medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages provide compensation for items such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and scarring/disfigurement.
- Punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless or negligent behavior. Punitive damages are meant to deter future behavior, and courts only award them in egregious cases.
If you sustained an injury in an accident that was not your fault, your first step is generally to contact the insurance company of the at-fault party and file a claim. The insurance company may offer a settlement to compensate you for your injuries and avoid a lawsuit. If the insurance company fails to make you an offer, or if the offer fails to compensate you for the full cost of your injuries, the state allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit within two years after the date of your accident.
How the Austin, Texas, Law Office of George Salinas Can Help
The experienced attorneys at the George Salinas Injury Lawyers can help you with your personal injury claim in a number of ways, including by:
- Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company, which can help you to obtain the maximum settlement available. Depending on the circumstances, we may need to negotiate a settlement with your own insurance company if an uninsured or underinsured individual caused your accident.
- Representing you in a personal injury lawsuit, including filing a complaint with the court, serving that complaint on the at-fault party, filing pre-trial motions, attending pre-trial hearings, presenting your case to a jury. At trial, your attorney will prove that the at-fault party is liable for your injuries and establish the amount of damages that you’ve suffered as a result of those injuries.
- Handling post-trial matters, including representing you if the defendant files an appeal with a higher court or filing an appeal on your behalf if you lose at trial.
While you are recovering from your head or neck injuries, you can trust the experience of our experienced personal injury lawyers to handle the complexities of your claim and to provide you with the guidance that you need to make decisions about how you would like your case to proceed. We will provide you with access to information and answers to your questions so that you completely understand every step of the legal process. Call George Salinas Injury Lawyers today at 210-225-0909, or contact us online, to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
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