Traumatic Brain Injuries and Traffic Accidents in the State of Illinois

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Traffic Accident Lawsuit Lawyer In Illinois

In traffic accidents, victims are at an increased risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury. For those involved in motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, this risk is especially elevated because these individuals have little protection against injuries. Statistics show that more than half of traumatic brain injuries occur as a result of traffic accidents. Whereas many victims are able to recover from their traumatic brain injuries and are not affected in the long term, others suffer permanent damage. Traumatic brain injuries actually result in approximately 30 percent of injury deaths in the United States.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a traumatic brain injury as an interruption in normal brain function that is caused by a jolt, blow, or bump to the skull. In some cases, an object may actually penetrate the skull, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries range from mild to severe. A mild traumatic brain injury may only cause a brief change in the victim’s mental status, whereas a severe traumatic brain injury may cause an extended period of memory loss.

Who is most at risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury?

One statistic showed that adults 75 years of age and older are most at risk of dying from a traumatic brain injury. However, in motor vehicle accidents, individuals between the ages of 5 and 24 years old were most at risk of dying from a traumatic brain injury. In non-fatal traumatic brain injury cases, traffic accidents were the most common cause of hospitalization in people from 15 – 44 years of age.

What are the signs of a traumatic brain injury?

There are several signs that may indicate a traumatic brain injury. If you or someone else has any of these symptoms after a motor vehicle accident, you should seek medical attention.

There are symptoms that impact one’s sleep, emotional status, physical condition, and memory. These symptoms include:

  • Memory/Thinking
    • Inability to think clearly
    • Feeling sluggish
    • Inability to remember new information
  • Physical symptoms
    • Headache
    • Nausea or vomiting right after the injury
    • Dizziness or blurry vision
    • Sensitivity to lights or sounds
    • Balance issues
    • Lethargy
  • Emotional symptoms
    • Feeling anxious, sad, nervous, or irritable
  • Sleep symptoms
    • Having trouble falling asleep
    • Sleeping less or more than usual

Signs of an especially severe traumatic brain injury include:

  • A headache that increases in intensity
  • Multiple bouts of nausea or vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • An inability to regain consciousness
  • Pupils of different sizes
  • Seizures

An individual with these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

Early detection is key to successful traumatic brain injury treatment. The earlier a traumatic brain injury is caught and treated, the more likely it is that the victim will recover.

If you were injured, contact Stein & Shulman today

At Stein & Shulman, our Chicago personal injury attorneys are experienced in traumatic brain injury claims. To schedule your free consultation with our firm, call 312.422.0500 today.

Free, Instant Case Review – Call 312.422.0500

At Stein & Shulman, we hold negligent drivers accountable for accidents. If you were injured in a vehicle accident in Illinois, contact Stein & Shulman, LLC, today to discuss your legal options with a skilled traffic accident injury attorney in Chicago. You can schedule a case consultation at no cost to you by calling our office at (312) 422-050 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Stein & Shulman, LLC
134 N LaSalle St, #820
Chicago, IL 60602
312.422.0500
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