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Moderate to serious traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) will almost always have very intense effects on the victims who endure such debilitating accidents. These effects tend to have lasting impacts on victims within a variety of routine behavior, which is why these personal injury cases tend to deal with the loss of quality of life.
On this page, we’re going to explain the many different long-term effects of TBIs and how they affect a patient and their loved ones’ lives. By going through this list of effects you’ll be able to better understand the many symptoms and side effects associated with TBIs, and the proper treatment procedures as well.
Our team has handled countless TBI cases, so we know just how crucial it is for accident victims and their loved ones to be compensated for the damages that persist potentially for a lifetime. If you or a loved one, unfortunately, has suffered from a traumatic brain injury, then you should reach out to us for a free consultation so we can better understand the circumstances of the injury and put you in the best situation to be financially secure throughout the recovery process.
Your brain is always going to immediately work to repair any tissue or internal damage when you’ve sustained a really serious head injury. While some of these restoration processes are effective through the use of direct treatments within the first six months of recovery, there are many instances in which some parts of the brain simply cannot fully heal.
These troublesome cranial areas sometimes will see the progressive decline, which typically results in long-term or even life-long symptoms and general effects. Of course, there are also long-term social and emotional effects that tend to occur within TBI patients that should never be ignored.
The following are some of the long-term effects associated with TBIs:
If there’s anything the medical field knows for sure about TBIs, it’s that there tend to be many different persistent physical problems that occur after these types of head injuries. Here are some of the more common physical complications that TBI patients may potentially face:
Headaches tend to be very frequent, if not daily when someone suffers from a serious TBI. What’s worse is that studies have also shown that migraines and headache symptoms can sometimes become worse as time goes along.
The six-month mark typically tends to be a crucial point in the recovery process in which medical professionals can have a pretty good understanding as to whether or not chronic headaches will continue for years or even forever within a patient.
Headaches are physical symptoms that sometimes even persist after a TBI patient is considered fully recovered, so this is by far one of the most common long-term effects of TBIs.
Dizziness is a very common symptom of TBIs, and about one-third of TBI patients experience dizziness for a minimum of five years after their injury. But, what’s important to know about dizziness is that over time it’s likely to improve.
All types of sensory complaints are very common within serious TBI patients, and there are many instances in which this symptom ends up being a long-term problem. The medical terms for these sensitivities are phonophobia and photophobia, and about 25% of TBI patients undergo these sensitivities even a year after their injury.
These sensitivities, like other long-term symptoms, are lifelong concerns.
Patients’ eyes are sometimes greatly impacted by TBIs, which can sometimes lead to the general inability to focus properly when looking at something close by. TBIs can also lead to visual issues that make a patient’s vision blurry or have double vision.
As TBIs increase in severity, it’s generally more likely for the patient to undergo mental and physical fatigue more easily. Fatigue is a physical ailment that tends to have emotional symptoms as well, which can have a ripple effect on the daily life of a person throughout the TBI recovery process. Light sensitivity and other sensory issues also compound upon fatigue after a TBI.
Around 40% of TBI patients have some kind of late-stage seizures, which is a clear indication of very serious TBIs. When a patient undergoes consistent seizures for a long period of time, it can sometimes be a lifelong concern.
It’s difficult to verify whether or not seizures that occur briefly after an injury are still linked to epileptic attacks years later, but seizures are nonetheless a very serious and frightening long-term effect of TBIs.
There are also many types of psychological and emotional effects associated with TBIs, some of which could potentially develop years after the initial accident.
One of the most common of these issues is overall memory problems, which is known to last for multiple years within about 45% of TBI patients. It’s safe to say that there are mental improvements overtime for all TBI patients, but of course, there are situations in which these types of effects can persist for decades or even a lifetime.
Some long-term, non-physical effects include:
Irritability tends to be a very common effect of TBIs that can develop anytime during the first three years of recovery. A lot of these emotional changes are directly correlated to other physical problems like chronic pain and fatigue, so the longer the physical effects last the more likely patients will see more dramatic emotional effects as well.
This is why treating the most serious physical symptoms of TBIs is so important during the initial recovery stages.
Damage within the brain is always a major concern for serious TBI patients, which can end up leading to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia later in life. There aren’t any clear statistics about the likelihood of TBI patients acquiring these diseases, but in general, the experts say that TBI patients are at the highest risk of these very debilitating mental disorders.
It should never be surprised that a TBI can potentially have a dramatic effect on a patient’s overall quality of life, and the following are some important factors to consider:
There is no denying the fact that people who’ve suffered from a serious TBI are more likely to pass away due to some related complications to their injury. It’s also very unfortunate that depression and other psychiatric issues lead to higher risks of suicide amongst TBI patients.
Older TBI patients are also more susceptible to serious issues like sepsis, pneumonia, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is also something that tends to happen for those who have undergone serious TBIs, which has recently been highlighted as an issue within the NFL and other professional sporting leagues.
But, we must also recognize that medical professionals have done a wonderful job in recent years to decrease TBI patient mortality rates in recent years, and this trend appears to be continuing to improve.
People who suffer from serious TBIs are much more likely to have difficulty getting back in the workforce than those who suffer mild TBIs, and a recent study showed that only about one-third of TBI patients had a full-time job several years after their injury.
This is a big reason why it’s so important to recover all of the necessary damages within a TBI personal injury lawsuit because there almost always is a serious struggle for financial security after these types of injuries.
It’s rather rare that TBI patients are capable of fully participating in the same activities that they did prior to their injury, and what’s very sad is that the many persistent physical ailments to TBIs tend to lead to social isolation. Social isolation has been known to contribute to a loss of quality of life in many TBI patients.
One of the most important considerations when it comes to TBIs is to never give up, and there are always going to be countless medical and social resources that are available for TBI patients to assist them through the recovery process.
But it goes without saying that this type of recovery process is not easy on an injury victim and their family, which is why our team of Silver Spring, Bowie, College Park, Landover and Upper Marlboro Injury & Accident Attorneys is here to help you in recovering all the necessary compensation for the long-term damages that may last a lifetime.
If you or a loved one has endured a traumatic brain injury in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, then you need to contact us immediately for a free consultation so we can begin the first steps towards your financial security.
There are many instances in which moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) end up having very long-lasting or permanent effects. So while victims and family members are undergoing the rehabilitation process, it’s important to fully understand the life challenges that TBI victims will have to adapt to in order to live a more fulfilling life.
Polytrauma is very common with serious TBIs, which means that patients will many times face several other types of injuries on top of their brain injury. There are also many instances in which patients appear to have recovered, but will still endure long-term symptoms for years and potentially the rest of their lives.
Although there have been a lot of technological and treatment advancements in recent years, TBIs still remains a life-changing condition that requires the long-term assistance of family members and other caregivers. On this page, we’re going to discuss the common long-term effects of TBI and living tips associated with these very serious personal injury cases, and by going through this page TBI victims and their loved ones will have a more comprehensive understanding as to how to live life to the fullest after a TBI.
So if you or a loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury of any kind, contact us today for a free consultation so we can begin the necessary investigation to help you receive your rightful financial assistance that will make the recovery process somewhat more manageable.
TBI patients will tend to have a more difficult time when it comes to completing a whole array of everyday tasks. Every TBI is different, but the following are some of the common impacts that injury victims and family members should keep in mind:
The following are some very important tips for TBI victims and family members to consider when it comes to having a successful recovery:
There’s no doubt about it that making a TBI comeback is really difficult, but staying positive is always the first thing to consider because it always goes a long way. There are real effects in terms of motivation and goal-oriented activity when it comes to TBIs, but it’s important for victims to know this is just a part of the injury and they should never be defined by their TBI.
There are many examples of people who have experienced a TBI and then gone on to live very successful lives, so the way you think and talk about your injury will ultimately affect your feelings towards it. So stay positive and always keep your dreams and aspirations for the future bright!
It’s important for TBI victims to know that there really are a lot of other people going through the same recovery process, so you should never isolate yourself and you should always associate with people who will respect you and treat you kindly. Group therapy is a good option for people to share their recovery stories and let other people know what they’re experiencing.
There are countless psychologists and other medical professionals who are simply waiting to help you, so by reaching out you can support your recovery tremendously.
Be your own detective when it comes to better understanding your TBI symptoms, which means deducing what the causes are of your symptoms and what makes them better or worse.
It’s a great idea to keep track of your lapses in memory and other symptom signs as best as you can so you can later be able to redirect your focus and see improvements. The more you track your symptoms, the more you’ll be able to change them for the better.
There are several factors that come into play when it comes to the longevity of the recovery process after a TBI, which is why it’s always crucial to undergo a series of neuropsychological treatments so you can have a more comprehensive understanding of the uniqueness of your TBI.
When you go the extra mile to continually seek professional help, you’ll be able to know what the contributing factors are towards your symptoms and then receive the professional recommendations to help your daily life improve faster.
Relaxation strategies are always really important for TBI victims to incorporate into their daily routines because it’s crucial to regulate stress levels during the recovery process. Stress has terrible effects on everyone’s brain functioning, and anxiety will always make TBI symptoms much worse.
We recommend that TBI victims do quick relaxation strategies before undergoing a specific task, and this can include meditation. Meditation is a widely known strategy to combat the effects of TBIs because it helps decrease worry and increase concentration and overall attention.
Stress management is always going to help TBI victims when it comes to memory and concentration, so this is a very big part of the recovery process!
Personal mottos are great when it comes to helping TBI patients remember what they need to do on a daily basis. Some examples are “be here now”, “stop, relax, refocus”, but this motto can be whatever helps you settle your mind down or just keep you focused on what’s at hand.
Family members will always be a critical part of the TBI recovery period, and there are many instances in which family members also can benefit greatly from going through counseling and helping themselves cope with the changes that a TBI places on family life.
Caregivers also need to take themselves into consideration in terms of self-care, because it’s never good when a caregiver gets burned out of taking care of a TBI patient.
This type of treatment does wonders for TBI patients in terms of attention, thinking and general memory problems. One of the great benefits of going through cognitive rehabilitation is that it’ll help a TBI patient and their family to better organize their daily lives and overall environment to help the patient with productivity.
There are plenty of inpatient and outpatient programs that assist TBI patients, and no matter what happens, the more medical expert attention you receive the better off you’ll be for the future!
Our team of Silver Spring, Bowie, College Park, Landover and Upper Marlboro Injury & Accident Attorneys are here to help individuals and families undergoing a TBI rehabilitation process. We fully understand how much goes into life after a TBI, which is why we’re here to make the financial recovery process easier.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation so we can begin the process of getting you the recovery you need for your current and future damages.
When you go to trial for any type of personal injury claim, eye and expert witnesses can make or break your case. Witness testimonies are very often the difference between winning a case or walking away with zero compensation, so it makes sense that choosing the right experts and on-scene witnesses can help strengthen your claim and potentially sway a judge or jury in your favor.
Our team of personal injury specialists has helped countless clients by providing expert witnesses to help explain some of the more complex elements of a case, which typically are invaluable interpretations that are instrumental in terms of fortifying any type of injury claim. Witnesses who were there at the scene of an accident will also always have the ability to support your side of the story and help explain what exactly happened.
In this page, we’ll discuss the importance of both laymen and expert witnesses, and how our team of attorneys can help you find witnesses that can ultimately be one of the defining factors in terms of receiving your rightful compensation.
If you have any questions at all about our expert witnesses or how you can utilize witness testimonies to strengthen your claim, reach out to us for a free consultation so we can review your case and help you determine what’s available to you in terms of your legal options.
When it comes to layman witnesses, these people typically need to have actually seen the accident occur, but witnesses can also be anyone who arrived on an accident scene moments afterward and simply noticed your injuries and overall damages.
Witnesses can also be anyone who simply heard one of the cases involved parties talking about the accident in a way that implied that the fault of the accident was on someone other than you.
It’s important to remain as polite as possible when you are talking to people who were at the scene of your accident, and if they’re unwilling to talk to you for whatever reasoning you shouldn’t push them because there isn’t much you can do except potentially file a subpoena, which hopefully isn’t necessary.
If a witness does agree to cooperate and talk to you, then you should write down their name, phone number and address. This is one of the many reasons why you should always carry a car accident diary, and it will always go a long way if you can paraphrase a written statement from the witness as soon as possible and then send a typed copy to them to review, sign and return to you. The same goes for video statements as well, which also need to be reviewed and verified later on by the witness.
A lot of witnesses want to help people out in terms of proving who was at fault for an accident, but many people simply are wary about getting too involved. If you can make it easier for witnesses to have their perspective officially heard then you might have a better chance at obtaining multiple witnesses that can corroborate what happened on your behalf.
Expert witnesses are always renowned professionals in their respective industries, and they have the education, experience and specialized training to be able to provide legitimate evidence for your personal injury claim. These types of witnesses are very important when there are no eyewitnesses to a specific accident scene, but they are also an essential aspect of a case’s success for several other crucial purposes.
A witness is considered an expert when they possess some of the following attributes:
The types of experts you’ll need will depend upon the facts involved within your case, and some experts called in personal injury cases include the following examples:
There are certain parameters around utilizing expert testimonies in court, and these testimonies must include the following:
It’s also important to state that a layperson testimony is limited in that they are only allowed to talk about some of a case’s facts, and their testimonies are typically limited to their own opinions. Only expert witnesses can testify to things like the scientific and technical elements of a case.
Expert witnesses can help strengthen personal injury claims in a whole variety of ways, including the following very important elements:
If you or a loved one was injured in any type of accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, then layman and expert witnesses will be able to provide a lot of valuable evidence to help support your claim. DuBoff & Associates has been able to build a successful track record with our three decades of experience as a leading personal injury firm in the Maryland, Virginia and D.C. areas.
Our attorneys will always work diligently to strengthen your case and secure your maximum, rightful compensation. Schedule a free consultation today to talk to one of our experts about your case, and what your legal options are.
You are always going to be entitled to your rightful compensation when you’ve aggravated a pre-existing injury in a car accident that was due to someone else’s negligence, but there are a ton of liability details and insurance schemes that are necessary to understand in order to have this type of successful personal injury claim.
Adjusters at insurance companies are almost always going to be the people who will help settle injury claims that an at-fault party caused in a car accident, and adjusters are always going to try their very best to pay you as little as possible. So within instances in which a pre-existing injury is involved, adjusters will undoubtedly argue that the injuries you sustained in the car accident were not actually caused by the at-fault party they cover.
You never need to accept these frankly outlandish arguments that adjusters make about your pre-existing injuries, which is where our team of Silver Spring, Bowie, College Park, Landover and Upper Marlboro Injury & Accident Attorneys comes into help handle your case.
You will almost always have the right to fair compensation for your injuries regardless of whether or not it’s an aggravation of a pre-existing injury, and by working with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys you’ll be taking a crucial first step towards ensuring that your legal rights are protected and your entitled compensation is fully recovered.
In this page we’ll unpack everything you need to know in terms of bolstering your pre-existing injury claim after a car accident, which includes all of the following:
The impacts induced by car accidents are many times very severe, which can cause a pre-existing injury to become much worse off. Here are some pre-existing injury examples that tend to be aggravated by car accidents:
All insurance companies simply won’t accept a personal injury claim without legitimate proof of their client’s fault, unless you’re filing a no-fault injury claim under your own policy. So you’ll pretty much always have to prove the other party was negligent in order to establish their liability, which includes proving the following:
Proving liability is always going to be something that requires producing legitimate evidence, and typically this comes in the form of the following:
You should always receive medical attention as quickly as possible after your accident, especially when you aren’t taken to the hospital immediately after your injury. You’ll need to inform your medical providers as much detail as possible about the circumstances of your injury, including a clear statement as to when your pre-existing symptoms and overall pain originated.
It’s crucial that you help establish the facts that you weren’t experiencing your current symptoms prior to the car accident, and the more you can ultimately distance your current symptoms with the medical attention of your pre-existing condition, the better. This can mean going to your doctor(s) who treated your old injuries and obtaining the records confirming the success of your previous treatment, and of course when that treatment occurred.
The Eggshell Injury Doctrine is a law that many states across the country have incorporated in order to protect individuals suffering from pre-existing conditions. This law essentially states that individuals with pre-existing injuries have the right to compensation for their injuries, even given the circumstances that their current injuries wouldn’t have been quite as bad if it weren’t for their pre-existing condition.
People with pre-existing injuries typically will have to prove that the following are true in order to receive compensation after a car accident:
Some healthy people may not be injured in the same accident scenario that an eggshell plaintiff may find themselves within, but just because someone’s pre-existing injury or overall condition leaves them more susceptible it doesn’t mean the at-fault driver isn’t liable for the overall damages their negligence induces. This is one of the reasons why the eggshell plaintiff argument is commonly utilized in low-impact accident cases in which there may be doubts that the accident directly caused the claimed injury.
No one ever chooses to be involved in a car accident, regardless of pre-existing injuries, so it’s important to know that you can always get reimbursement for all financial harms and medical expenses associated with your aggravated pre-existing injuries.
The major issue involved with pre-existing injuries is that insurance companies will almost always try to offer lower settlement amounts and find ways to withhold an accident victim’s financial compensation, but the Eggshell Doctrine helps protect people with pre-existing conditions from these types of attacks.
There’s no denying the fact that we have little control over when motor vehicle accidents occur and how serious they end up being, and this means that pre-existing injuries can overlap new injuries all the time.
This is why we always recommend that you disclose your pre-existing injuries to an insurance adjuster from the very beginning of the process, but it’s important to understand the significance of how you disclose your pre-existing injuries in terms of protecting your claim.
You should always be aware of an insurance adjuster’s tactics, which typically coincide with their training to do whatever it takes to reduce or deny your injury claim.
You’ll typically be asked to provide a recorded statement, and saying the wrong thing can sometimes sink your entire case because they are trained experts at making people admit things against their own interest. This is especially the case when it comes to pre-existing injuries, so essentially they will try to use your own words against you.
Adjusters will also always ask for medical bills and records, but they are undoubtedly going to be looking for medical information of any type that they can use against your claim. You’ll, of course, need to release this medical information to help reinforce your claim, but there are limitations in terms of what an insurance company can access in terms of your overall personal health.
You should always be careful when signing any forms provided by insurance companies, and by working with an experienced personal injury attorney you’ll be more protected from these types of disclosure loopholes that adjusters will try to trap you within.
If you or a loved one is involved in any type of car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, then you are going to need a reputable car accident lawyer to have your back in terms of getting your fair and rightful compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
You’re never going to want to let an adjuster have the final word when it comes to recovering from your pre-existing injury, and when you contact us for a free consultation we’ll be able to help you begin the necessary steps towards a successful claim.
We understand that our track record speaks for itself in terms of the results we consistently provide our clients, and our representation on a contingency fee basis means that you’ll have absolutely no cost in terms of figuring out what we can do to support you or a loved one during these types of troubling situations.
At DuBoff & Associates, we’re here to help injury victims who need support in terms of standing up to the big shots at major insurance companies, so feel free to reach out to us today in terms of how we can support your aggravated pre-existing injury claim.
Riding bicycles is always a fun way to get exercise, not to mention it’s great for the environment when you bike as your way of commuting to and from work. Unfortunately, biking can also pretty dangerous no matter where you are throughout the state of Maryland.
That’s exactly why bicyclists and vehicle drivers must work together in order to keep Maryland’s roads safer. It’s important to first and foremost distinguish that bikes are considered vehicles in Maryland, so bicyclists must adhere to the same amount of care and attention as motor vehicle operators. On the other hand, motorists must also give cyclists the same amount of respect that they would provide to another vehicle.
It’s a distinct rule that motorists should provide at least three feet of space between cyclists when passing. Motorists can also do their due diligence in terms of keeping the roads safer by stopping for cyclists at crosswalks and always being prepared for when they may make turns. Bicyclists should also always wear a proper helmet, be as visible as possible, and be aware of their surroundings to do their due diligence towards safer roads.
At DuBoff & Associates, our highly experienced team of bicycle accident specialists is here to help you through these tricky legal scenarios. In this article we are going to go over Maryland’s bicycle laws so you can be more cognizant towards the rules of the road that everyone must obey when riding a bike.
By Maryland law, bicyclists are legally authorized users of every roadway, and bicyclists have the same rights-of-way and general duty to obey traffic signals as all motorists. But of course, bicycles are much less visible than cars, they’re quiet, and they don’t have any type of protective barrier to support a cyclist in the case of an accident, which is why all motorists must drive carefully around cyclists.
As we mentioned above, bicyclists in Maryland in general must adhere to the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers.
It’s crucial to know your legal rights and obligations while cycling throughout Maryland. The following is a list of laws you should always keep in mind while riding your bike:
Helmets are required for all bike operators and passengers under 16-years-old.
Maryland’s general DUI statute is the same as it applies to those riding bicycles.
Bicyclists must always ride with the flow of traffic as close as they can to the right side of a roadway.
Cyclists are allowed full lane use within certain situations, including when they are traveling at the same speed as traffic, on a one-way street, passing another motor vehicle or bicycle, preparing to turn, avoiding certain hazards within the road, or biking in a lane that is simply too narrow to share.
There are local ordinances throughout Maryland that may permit bicyclists to ride on sidewalks, but throughout the entire state cyclists must always yield to the right of way of pedestrians while on a sidewalk.
It is illegal for anyone to open a motor vehicle door with the intention of striking or interfering with a bicyclist in any way.
It’s required that cyclists ride in a bike lane when it’s available, but they are allowed to exit the bike lane when they are passing other cyclists, preparing to make a turn or avoiding any kind of hazards on the road.
Bicyclists must always come to full stops at stop signs and must adhere to red lights.
Bicyclists must always utilize hand or arm signals when they are stopping or making a turn, and it’s best to begin making these signals around 100 feet before the turn (if it’s safe to do so).
Motor vehicles must always give a minimum of 3 feet of space when they are passing a bicyclist on the road.
A motor vehicle driver should also always be able to see passed the bicyclist in their rearview mirror before returning to the original lane, and this includes ensuring you are clear of the recently passed bicyclist before conducting any turns.
The general rule is that cyclists must exercise extreme care when passing motor vehicles.
The law here is that bicycles are only allowed to ride next to each other in groups of two, and they generally cannot impede motor vehicle traffic.
The following are some tips to keep in mind while you’re out on the road here in Maryland:
If you or a loved one were injured in a biking accident, then it’s important to retain a Maryland personal injury attorney who can help you better understand your legal rights and get you on the right track towards your rightful compensation. Our team of specialists is always here for you when you need us most, so contact DuBoff & Associates, CHTD to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled lawyers.