Brain Injury Lawyer in Rock Hill

Brain injuries are rarely minor. They can have a long-lasting impact that remains with accident victims for weeks, months, and sometimes even years. In some cases, these injuries are obvious. However, the symptoms associated with brain injuries also may not be apparent for many weeks. This is why it’s so important for victims to get medical care treatment as soon as possible after an accident.

If you have suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you should also speak to a Rock Hill, South Carolina personal injury lawyer at the law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC, right away. You may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries. Our experienced attorneys know how legal issues can be stressful and overwhelming for brain injury victims and their loved ones. We’re here to help. Contact us today.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injuries typically result from a blow to the head during an accident. In some cases, a foreign object such as a piece of a broken windshield may also penetrate the skull or brain, causing a TBI to occur. Traumatic brain injuries fall into three categories – mild, moderate, and severe.

Mild brain trauma may affect the brain only temporarily. For example, after sustaining a mild concussion, a person’s brain cells may become shaken against the skull. This trauma typically results in mild symptoms that clear up on their own with time.

Other, more serious traumatic brain injuries can result in torn brain tissue, bleeding, and other physical trauma. These serious personal injuries often result in long-term complications. In many cases, these injuries are fatal for accident victims.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury has many signs and symptoms. The type of symptoms and severity of them will differ depending on the severity of the injury. Some of these symptoms may show up immediately after an accident. Others won’t become visible for days or weeks.

The symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury include:

  • Losing consciousness for a few seconds or a few minutes
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Headaches
  • Nausea, with or without vomiting
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Speech issues
  • Problems sleeping
  • Excessive sleeping
  • Dizziness and loss of balance
  • Sensory issues such as blurry vision, ringing in the ears, and changes in taste and smell
  • Hypersensitivity to light and sound
  • Problems with concentrating
  • Loss of memory
  • Changes in mood
  • Feelings of depression or anxiousness or other emotional distress.

The symptoms of a moderate to severe brain injury include:

  • Losing consciousness for several minutes to several hours
  • Headaches that become worse or which are persistent
  • Regular vomiting
  • Severe nausea
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • One or both pupils become dilated
  • Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
  • Sleeping without being able to wake up
  • Weak feeling in fingers or toes, or loss of feeling
  • Lack of coordination
  • Extreme confusion
  • Unusual behavior that is aggressive, combative or agitated
  • Slurred speech
  • Coma.

What Are Common Causes of Severe Head Injuries in South Carolina?

A severe head injury can occur at any time. Often, they result from a traumatic accident. Some of the most common causes of severe head injuries in Rock Hill, South Carolina include:

  • Slip and fall accidents – When a person falls from a ladder, on a slippery floor, or for any other cause, the person’s head may hit the ground with a forceful impact. Older adults and children are particularly susceptible to brain injuries after this type of accident.
  • Motor vehicle accidents – This is one of the most common causes of severe head injuries. During a motor vehicle accident, the head often becomes jostled around. It may hit a window, steering wheel, or another hard object, which results in severe brain trauma. Foreign objects inside a vehicle can also cause these injuries. Even when the head doesn’t hit anything, a motor vehicle accident can still shake the brain and cause harm.
  • Pedestrian accidents – When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the person on foot typically falls to the ground, hitting their head. On impact, the person’s head could also strike the vehicle.
  • Bicycle accidents – Like pedestrians, cyclists have little protection when out on the road. When they are hit by a vehicle, they also fall from a greater height as they sit higher than most pedestrians. Even a helmet, unfortunately, may not be enough to prevent a severe brain injury in these types of accidents.
  • Defective products – Faulty sports equipment, children’s toys, and automotive parts can cause serious damage to the brain. A defective sports helmet, for example, may fail to provide the protection it should give to the athlete.
  • Acts of violence – Domestic violence, gunshot wounds, and child abuse are just a few of the violent acts that can cause severe brain injury. While these are all criminal acts, injury victims may also file a civil lawsuit to recover damages. For instance, a property owner may be liable for failing to provide adequate security.
  • Sports accidents – Many sports are inherently dangerous. Participants assume some level of risk. However, in many cases, athletes suffer personal injury due to the negligence of coaches, trainers, and athletic directors who should properly supervise them.

None of these symptoms should be taken lightly. They are serious and could turn into something much worse if left untreated.

Is There a Time Limit to File a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit in South Carolina?

Unfortunately, these are just a few of the main causes of severe brain injuries. If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury due to any of these causes, you should speak with an attorney at our law firm right away. Please be aware, that there is a defined time period in which you can bring legal against those responsible for you or your loved one’s injuries. In South Carolina, the Statute of Limitations for personal injury claims is three years.

Contact Our Brain Injury Lawsuit Law Offices

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Our Rock Hill Head Injury Attorneys Can Help You

At McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC, our Rock Hill, South Carolina head and brain injury lawyers can help with your case. We know how serious these injuries are and how expensive they are to treat. We want to help you to pursue compensation that can help ease the financial burden of the injury and get you back to optimum health.

We will investigate the accident to determine who was at fault, and we will collect solid evidence that will help your case. We will also negotiate with the insurance company and the at-fault party to help you seek all compensation you deserve. If your case goes to court, we will be prepared to present a strong case on your behalf.

You’ve been through enough trauma. Don’t let a personal injury claim add to your stress. Contact our Rock Hill personal injury law firm today for your consultation and let us take care of it for you.