Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog
In the U.S., traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a leading cause of disability and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares that the number of hospitalizations, visits to the emergency room, and deaths related to traumatic brain injuries were up 53 percent in 2014 (from 2006). This translates to 155 TBI-related deaths every day. The fact is that TBIs happen, and they often have devastating effects that reverberate throughout the victims’ families and support systems. If someone else’s negligence leaves you with a traumatic brain injury, consult with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer today.
The Effects of a TBI
A serious TBI can have dramatic negative physical and emotional effects on a victim’s life, including:
- Having problems with one’s thinking or memory
- Encountering problems with one’s physical movement
- Experiencing changes in one’s senses (such as your hearing or vision)
- Experiencing changes in one’s personality (often described as a loss of one’s sense of self)
- Experiencing emotional effects (such as increased anxiety and/or depression)
While these difficulties obviously significantly affect the lives of victims, they also take a serious toll on the victims’ families and their communities at large.
Common Causes
CDC shares that falls and motor vehicle accidents are the top two leading causes of all hospitalizations related to TBIs. TBIs are typically caused by a jolt to the head that alters the brain’s normal functioning. As such, it is not difficult to understand why slip and fall accidents and traffic accidents are frequently the cause of dangerous TBIs.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents are dangerous accidents that often take place on commercial properties, such as stores, restaurants, and other businesses. These entities owe their patrons a reasonable duty of care that includes keeping their common areas relatively safe. When they fail to do so, dangerous slip and fall accidents – that can lead to serious TBIs – are often the result. Falls from heights, such as from stairwells, are even more likely to result in TBIs.
Traffic Accidents
Traffic accidents are obviously extremely dangerous accidents, and they include all the components necessary for causing serious TBIs. The impact of an accident sends the occupants of vehicles flying around inside the contained space – even with seatbelts and airbags, there can be considerable movement during the course of an accident. All this movement and force can result in exceedingly serious traumatic brain injuries. Further, traffic accidents of every kind are closely associated with TBIs, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bike accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
If You Have Suffered a TBI, Contact Slappey & Sadd
If someone else’s negligence leaves you with a TBI, the experienced personal injury lawyers
at Slappey & Sadd – proudly serving the Atlanta area – are here to help. Our dedicated legal team is committed to fighting for your rights and to skillfully negotiating for the compensation to which you are entitled. To schedule a free consultation, please do not hesitate to contact us today.