If you sustained a traumatic brain injury in an accident and someone else was at fault, you might be entitled to compensation. The Long Beach personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw have been representing clients like you since 2002. We could help you hold the negligent party liable for their actions and seek the financial award you deserve to heal your injuries.

traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a severe medical condition that affects how the brain functions. If something bumps, jolts, or penetrates your skull, it can injure the brain and cause internal bleeding, brain cell damage, and other complications. If the injury is debilitating, it can lead to disabilities that impact daily life and routine.

The Long Beach brain injury lawyers of OnderLaw know the aftermath of a catastrophic accident can be scary and overwhelming. If you can’t resume normal activities, you’re left with an injury that prevents you from working, performing specific tasks, and caring for yourself or your family. It’s entirely unfair that this happened to you, and you deserve justice for the wrong that was done to you. We can help you fight against the person responsible for your injury and hold them accountable for their misconduct.

Call us for a free consultation to learn more about our services and how we can help you get on the road to recovery.

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, there were 61,000 deaths involving traumatic brain injury in 2019. A broad range of circumstances can lead to a catastrophic accident, causing traumatic brain injury. The most common types of accidents that result in TBIs are:

  • Motor vehicle crashes
  • Nursing home abuse
  • Defective products
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Workplace accident
  • Physician errors
  • Defective medical devices

The initial brain injury isn’t the only problem to worry about in an accident. Complications can arise days, weeks, or even months later. Some people never regain normal brain function. It could impact your mental health and lead to bouts of depression or anxiety. Whether you suffered only minor effects due to the accident or developed permanent impairments, you deserve the opportunity to pursue compensation.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

traumatic brain injury happens when there’s a violent blow or jolt to the head. A sharp object penetrating the skull could also cause injuries to the brain. The main types of TBI include:

  • Ischemia – This occurs when brain tissue damage causes blockages to form in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the brain. If the brain doesn’t receive the blood it needs to function, brain cells can die, leading to ischemic stroke.
  • Contusions – Contusions form when there’s bruising to the brain. Bleeding and swelling occur at the impact site that can disrupt normal functioning.
  • Skull fracture – Whether it’s flying debris from a car crash or an injury from bullet fragments, any break to the structure of the skull can interfere with the brain and hinder its ability to continue to work correctly.
  • Intracranial hematoma – A hematoma develops when blood collects in the area outside of the brain. It can lead to pressure that builds up against the skull and cause permanent brain damage without immediate medical intervention.
  • Diffuse axonal injury – When the connections between brain cells twist or tear, different parts of the brain become affected. This can cause the person to fall into a coma.
  • Cerebral edema – Swelling results from a development of fluid that puts more pressure on the skull and can reduce oxygen flow to the brain. Without treatment, it can lead to death.
  • Hypoxia and hypotension – Hypoxia happens when the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen for normal functioning. Hypotension refers to the brain having lower than normal fluid pressure.
  • Hydrocephalus – This results from pressure on the brain when an injury causes fluid to build up in the ventricles.

If you suffered any type of traumatic brain injury in an accident, you should contact OnderLaw. We could represent you in your case and find a way to pursue the money you’re owed from the at-fault party. Their actions led to your injury, and they should suffer the consequences.

Compensation for a TBI Claim

Following any injury, the first thing people should do is seek treatment. A traumatic brain injury requires immediate care due to the severe nature of the damage that can occur. If you need ongoing treatment to recover, you likely attended physical therapy and rehabilitation, and saw other specialty doctors. Some people need prescription medications to manage pain and symptoms. Others undergo invasive surgery to reduce swelling in the brain or stop internal bleeding.

The medical bills you incurred can reach into the thousands of dollars and lead to crushing debt if you can’t afford to pay them. Paying these costs out of pocket might not be possible. Even if you can pay your bills on time, they can cause significant economic strain. The financial burden you face after an accident is stressful. Fortunately, you might have options for seeking the compensation necessary to cover your losses.

The losses you could pursue in an insurance claim might include:

  • Physical impairment or disfigurement
  • Medical bills
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Damage to personal property
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost wages
  • Lost future earnings
  • Pain and suffering

The type of insurance claim you file will depend on the circumstances of the accident. For example, if you fell down a poorly lit stairwell in a building, you might be able to file a claim with the property owner’s insurance company. You could file a car insurance claim if another driver caused your traumatic brain injury in an accident. Having an experienced Long Beach brain injury lawyer to represent you in your case would be beneficial. OnderLaw knows how to handle these types of cases and where to turn to determine liability and obtain compensation.

Proving Negligence in California – Statute of Limitations in Personal Injury Lawsuits

Many personal injury cases require that the victim prove someone was negligent. Negligence refers to a party’s failure to provide a reasonable degree of care to avoid causing harm to others. If someone were negligent and their actions or lack of action caused your traumatic brain injury, you would need to show proof that they were at fault.

Medical records and other documentation can serve as substantial evidence that shows how the accident occurred, who was at fault, and what injury you suffered. Handling this type of case alone can be a challenge. It would be best if you hire a lawyer who knows state laws and legal procedures.

If you want to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party, you must follow the statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This is a strict timeframe for initiating a legal case against someone else in court. California has a two-year statute of limitations. That means you must file a lawsuit within two years of the date the accident occurred.

Long Beach and California Accident Statistics

Brain injuries are common in accidents involving motor vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. In 2019, 56 fatal traffic accidents resulted in 38 deaths in Long Beach. Collisions at high speeds can cause severe trauma to the head and body. According to the results of a report, Long Beach is one of the worst cities in the country for motor vehicle-related fatalities involving speeding drivers. In fact, 39.9% of deaths were due to speeding, which is higher than the national average.

Occupational hazards are also significant factors that contribute to traumatic brain injuries. Fatal workplace injuries in California increased in 2018 from 376 deaths the year before to 422 deaths. Construction workers face the most risk of injury due to their harsh working environment. They handle flammable materials, operate heavy machinery, and work on scaffolding high off the ground.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw?

One of the biggest mistakes accident victims make is choosing not to hire a lawyer. You might go to the hospital after leaving the scene and attend all necessary doctor’s appointments. However, if you don’t have a legal team that can take on the legal aspects of your case, you could end up walking away from a claim without the money you need and deserve.

At OnderLaw, our Long Beach brain injury lawyers can handle the complicated process and seek the maximum possible compensation you deserve from the negligent party. We can open a thorough investigation and gather all the available evidence to show you didn’t cause your injuries. We have experience aggressively negotiating with insurance companies for an adequate settlement and litigating cases in court if we can’t reach a favorable outcome in the insurance claim.

We know the financial cost of a lawyer might deter you from seeking representation. You might think you can’t afford it while you’re paying for your medical bills. OnderLaw believes everyone deserves dependable and affordable legal services without additional stress. That’s why we take cases on a contingency fee basis. That means there are no upfront fees or costs when you hire us. We won’t collect any legal fees unless we secure compensation for you from an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Contact OnderLaw Today

At OnderLaw, we’re not afraid to stand up for our client’s rights and seek justice on their behalf. You will have a competent and skilled team on your side from the second you hire us. We provide personalized attention and services, so you feel like a priority while we’re working on your case. We won’t give up the fight to achieve your goals so you can recover from this traumatic experience and move forward with your life.

If you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault and sustained a brain injury, call OnderLaw for a free consultation with one of our Long Beach brain injury lawyers.