All brain injuries can cause pain and a range of symptoms, but different types of brain injuries affect the brain in varying ways. More specifically, the cause of the brain injury is a big factor in what symptoms you will experience.
The two main types of injuries of this kind include acquired brain injury (ABI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). If you were diagnosed with one of these, you should consider the common causes and how a personal injury lawyer can help.
What Is An Acquired Brain Injury?
An acquired brain injury is usually caused by an internal or external force after birth. This means it’s not hereditary, degenerative, or caused during birth. Instead, an ABI usually occurs when the brain gets little or no oxygen, such as when one of the following occurs:
- Stroke
- Tumor
- Infection
- Exposure to toxins
- Near drowning accident
- Medication abuse
- Physical injury, such as a car accident or gunshot wound
Simply put, an ABI can occur due to an illness or injury that severely affects the brain. Symptoms can include headache, fatigue, mood swings, memory problems, dizziness, and more. You should get immediate medical treatment if you think you’ve sustained an ABI due to a stroke, infection, head trauma, or another cause.
What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury is a specific type of acquired brain injury that is caused by an external force, such as a sudden blow to the head. The most common causes of TBI include:
- Car crash
- Truck accident
- Motorcycle collision
- Gunshot wound
- Slip and fall accident
- Sports injury
In some cases, you’re aware that you have a head wound after an accident, but you might not know that your brain was seriously hurt. This is why you should get an exam from your doctor and know the symptoms of TBI to ensure you get the treatment you need. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of coordination, and temporary loss of consciousness. More serious signs are seizures, fluids draining from your ears and nose, and inability to wake up, which is why emergency medical treatment is essential.
How Can A Personal Injury Attorney Help After A Brain Injury?
The most important step to take after a brain injury is to get medical help. But once you’ve seen a doctor, your next step should be to call a lawyer. A Santa Fe personal injury attorney can help you initiate a claim against the insurance company of the person who caused the brain injury.
When you seek compensation, you can get money to pay for medical bills, property damage, and income you lost because you took time off work to get medical care.
We’re not just Santa Fe Personal Injury Lawyers, we are Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyers, Las Cruces Personal Injury Lawyers, and more!
We are fifth generation New Mexicans fighting for New Mexicans.
To learn more about your options after an ABI or TBI, call our office to talk to a supportive, skilled lawyer
Contact our office at 505-983-3272 OR email us at injury@waggonerlegalgroup.com to schedule your free case valuation.
We’ll tell you what your case may be worth!