Understanding Head Injuries Caused by Oakland Accidents

Over one million Americans experience some type of significant head injury every year. Head injuries are any type of trauma to your scalp, skull, or brain, and can range from minor to severe. Although incidents stemming from activities like contact sports are among the first causes to come to mind, accidents caused by the negligence of others can also lead to serious head injuries. 

Motor vehicle accidents, bike accidents, pedestrian accidents, and more can all cause head injuries. The most common types of head injuries that stem from these accidents are concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). If you or a loved one has suffered any type of head injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Call The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney today.

What Kind of Accidents Cause Head Injuries?

Sudden impacts during accidents often result in blunt force or penetration head trauma. When this occurs, injuries usually range in severity depending on the unique circumstances of the accident. Common accidents that cause head injuries include: 

• Car Accidents 
• Bike Accidents 
• Boat Accidents 
• Bus Accidents 
• Construction Accidents 
• Slip and Falls 
• Trip and Falls 
• Pedestrian Accidents 
• Motorcycle Accidents 

If you’ve been a victim of any of these types of accidents and suffered a head injury as a result, call The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000. 

Symptoms of Head Injuries 

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be caused by blows to the head, whiplash, or violent shaking of one’s head or body. These types of injuries can be quite common among accident victims. Understanding the symptoms associated with concussions and TBIs can help you and your medical provider determine if you have one and how severe it may be.  

The physical symptoms often associated with head injuries include: 

• Headaches 
• Dizziness 
• Loss of balance 
• Blurred vision 
• Sensitivity to noise or light 
• Nausea 

The cognitive symptoms often associated with head injuries include: 

• Inability to concentrate 
• Cluttered thoughts 
• Memory lapses or loss 
• Brain fog 

Lastly, the emotional symptoms often associated with head injuries include: 

• Erratic emotions 
• Anxiety 
• Sadness 
• Irritability 

How Are Head Injuries Diagnosed? 

Head injuries must be diagnosed by a medical professional following your accident. Diagnosis is a multi-step process that involves a thorough evaluation of your head and brain. First, a doctor will usually evaluate you for any type of memory loss regarding the event or your injury, as well as check you for the symptoms listed earlier.

After, you will undergo an examination that analyzes potential neurological signs and symptoms. This examination investigates your senses, strength, reflexes, balance, nerve functions, and overall mental status to accurately determine the severity of your concussion. Once this is complete, you may have to undergo brain imaging. 

Brain imaging may be recommended for accident victims whose symptoms continue worsening by a medical professional. A cranial computerized tomography scan (CT scan) will be used to determine the severity of the injury, as well as if there’s internal bleeding or swelling in the victim’s brain. Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can tell if the brain has experienced any significant changes as a result of the trauma it experienced.

In situations where symptoms are severe or unusual, a medical professional may recommend a patient for an overnight stay, affording medical professionals additional observation time. This further aids in determining the severity of the concussion or TBI that the patient is dealing with.

Can I Pursue Compensation for a Head Injury? 

Depending on the circumstances and type of accident you were in, you may be able to pursue compensation for a head injury. However, legal issues regarding the accident itself, liability, and the severity of your head injury all impact compensation. When pursuing compensation for a head injury that resulted from an accident, you and a personal injury attorney at The Barnes Firm will: 

Identify Liable Parties

Identifying who caused the accident that caused your head injury is a critical first step towards pursuing compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer at The Barnes Firm can investigate your accident, identify liable parties, and assign degrees of fault to all parties that may have been involved. It is important to note that California follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that multiple parties, including you, can be held partly liable for the incident. Having a knowledgeable personal injury attorney ensures that responsibility falls on those who wrongfully injured you. 

Gather Evidence

Compiling evidence in the form of photographs, video footage, witness statements, medical bills, doctor’s notes, and more helps your attorney build a strong claim. A strong claim details exactly what happened to you and why the other parties involved are at fault for your head injury and the losses you suffered as a result.  

Establish Causation

To successfully pursue the maximum compensation available, you must be able to prove that the actions of negligent parties directly caused your accident, injuries, and losses. Evidence is crucial here, as it can paint a clear picture of your accident, how the other party or parties are at-fault, and the full extent of your injuries and losses due to the accident.  

Assess the Effects of Your Injury

Depending on how severe your head injury is, you may be experiencing extensive physical, financial, and emotional damages. Discuss this with your attorney and medical provider to ensure that the full extent of your injury and losses are accounted for, so that you may be rightfully compensated.  

Construct a Claim

Once you’ve assessed the full extent of your injury and associated losses, the next step is to construct a personal injury claim. Building a personal injury claim is no easy feat to accomplish alone, and often requires the knowledge and experience of a trusted personal injury lawyer.

If You’ve Suffered a Head Injury, Call The Barnes Firm 

If you’ve suffered a head injury as a result of an accident, you’re probably battling physical and mental pains while simultaneously handling the emotional trauma of the incident and injury itself. On top of that, you could miss time at work while your medical expenses continuously mount. All of this can greatly impede your recovery and worsen your head injury.

Don’t tackle this alone. Rather, allow our team of Oakland personal injury lawyers at The Barnes Firm to handle your case. While you prioritize your own health and wellbeing, we’ll navigate the legal aspects of your case and work towards obtaining the rightful compensation you deserve. Call our office today at (800) 800-0000 to speak with an Oakland personal injury lawyer who is prepared to get you the best result possible.  

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
LinkedIn Profile: Richard Barnes