Chattanooga Brain Injury Attorneys

Brain injuries can occur in many ways, but one of the most common causes is motor vehicle collisions. When an accident results in a brain injury, it is often the result of a sudden jolt or blow to the head, which causes the brain to unnaturally move inside the skull and collide with its hard inner surfaces. This type of trauma can produce bruising and swelling of the brain as well as disruption of neural impulses responsible for proper functioning. 

Different types of collisions can result in various types of brain injuries. For example:

• Rear-end collisions may cause whiplash injuries, leading to concussions or other traumatic brain injuries due to rapid acceleration and deceleration forces.
• Side-impact collisions (T-bone accidents) can result in occupants' heads striking against the vehicle's interior, leading to contusions or hemorrhages in the brain.
• Rollover accidents can cause occupants to be thrown about inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of head injuries as they collide with the roof, doors, or other occupants.

Common types of brain injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injury – Traumatic brain injury is a broad category that encompasses various types of brain injuries caused by external trauma. TBIs can range from mild (concussions) to severe (diffuse axonal injury, contusions, intracranial hemorrhages) and can result in a wide range of symptoms and disabilities, including cognitive deficits, motor impairments, sensory disturbances, and emotional changes.
• Penetrating injury – Penetrating injuries occur when foreign objects, such as shattered glass or debris from a motor vehicle accident, penetrate the skull and damage the brain tissue. Penetrating injuries can cause focal damage to specific areas of the brain and may require surgical intervention to remove the foreign object and repair the damage.
• Concussion – Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries resulting from a blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and body. They can cause temporary disruption of brain function, leading to symptoms such as headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and temporary loss of consciousness.
• Contusion – A contusion is a bruise or bleeding in the brain tissue, often caused by the brain striking the inside of the skull during a motor vehicle accident. Contusions can vary in severity and may require medical intervention to reduce swelling and prevent further damage.
• Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) – DAI is a severe type of brain injury that occurs when the brain's nerve fibers (axons) are stretched, torn, or sheared due to rapid acceleration or deceleration forces. DAI can result in widespread damage to the brain and may lead to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments.
• Skull fracture – A skull fracture occurs when the bones of the skull are broken due to the force of impact in a motor vehicle accident. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, it can cause damage to the brain tissue and increase the risk of other types of brain injuries.
• Intracranial hemorrhage – Intracranial hemorrhage refers to bleeding inside the skull, which can occur as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Types of intracranial hemorrhage include subdural hematoma (bleeding between the brain and the dura mater), epidural hematoma (bleeding between the skull and the dura mater), and intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding within the brain tissue).

You should not wait to get legal advice if you or someone you love suffered any level of brain injury because of someone else's negligence. Our Chattanooga brain injury attorneys can evaluate your circumstances and walk you through your rights and options. 

Consequences of Brain Injuries

Injuries to the brain can result in long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional effects that may require lifelong medical attention or even a complete lifestyle change. Brain injury survivors also often face great financial hardship due to medical expenses as well as lost productivity related to their condition.

Short-term consequences of brain injuries may include:

• Blood clots
• Coma
• Nerve damage
• Seizures
• Stroke

Long-term impacts of injuries to the brain may include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Behavioral changes
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Cognitive problems
• Communication difficulties
• Mental health problems
• Parkinson’s disease
• Sensory issues

Brain injuries can range from mild cases that may cause temporary cognitive impairment to severe cases that cause permanent damage and even death.

How Long Do I Have to File a Brain Injury Lawsuit?

The amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit will depend on where you sustained your brain injury, as state laws vary. If you were injured in a truck accident in Tennessee, for example, Tennessee’s laws apply. 

• In Tennessee, you have only one year from the date you suffered a brain injury to take legal action
• In Georgia and Alabama, you have two years from the date you were injured to start the legal process

Many brain injuries are not initially detectable after an inciting accident or incident. In these scenarios, discovery rules give you additional time from the date you discovered or should have reasonably discovered the brain injury and its cause. In Tennessee and Alabama, you get one year from the date of discovery to bring a claim, while in Tennessee, you get two years.