According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 64,000 TBI-related deaths occurred in the U.S. in 2020—about 176 every day. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a person receives a head injury that affects how their brain works. While most traumatic brain injuries are relatively minor, severe cases can be fatal.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury or concussion in the DMV region, our legal team at Johnnie Bond Law has the experience and resources to handle your case.  

Experienced Lawyer for Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions Cases in the DMV

At Johnnie Bond Law, we know the devastating effect a traumatic brain injury can have on victims and their loved ones. Our legal team will fight relentlessly on your behalf, making it easier for you to deal with the emotional, physical, and mental healing after a traumatic accident.

We can help you and your family during this difficult time by providing experienced legal representation spearheaded by our founder and principal attorney, Johnnie Bond. Call today to schedule your free consultation with our brain injury attorneys.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Brain trauma can occur whenever the head receives a blow, bump, or jolt. A TBI can also occur from a penetrating brain injury, such as a bullet or shrapnel. There are three levels of TBIs: mild, moderate, and severe.

If you suffered a head injury due to someone else’s negligence, you have a right to hire a lawyer and seek compensation for your physical, mental, and emotional suffering.

Mild TBIs and Concussions

Mild injuries and concussions are the most common types of TBI. While the accepted medical term for this brain trauma is “mild,” the effects can still be serious. A mild TBI or concussion causes injury by:

• Forcing chemical changes in the brain
• Twisting, stretching, or damaging brain cells
• Causing the brain to bounce inside the skull

After suffering a TBI or concussion, you may feel fine at first. However, you still need to seek immediate medical attention because symptoms don’t always show right away.

Then, call our team at Johnnie Bond Law. We have extensive knowledge of the DMV laws regarding brain injuries, and we’ll help you navigate your case from start to finish.

Moderate and Severe TBIs

Moderate and severe TBIs cause brain damage to thousands of Americans every year. The leading causes include:

• Falls
• Assaults
• Firearm-related injuries
• Motor vehicle crashes

Thousands of people die in the U.S. from severe TBIs every year. Even if a brain injury victim survives, the effects of a severe TBI are devastating and often life-long, including irreversible brain damage.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

When a person experiences a TBI, the symptoms may not present for hours or days after the initial injury, particularly with mild injuries or concussions. In those cases, the extent of the injury may not show on a standard diagnostic test, which often results in the insurance company underestimating the damage or denying the claim altogether.

Our firm has experience handling TBI cases in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. We combine our vast legal knowledge and resources to build your case and prove the extent of your injury and the suffering it has caused you and your family.

Symptoms of mild TBIs and concussions include:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Light or sound sensitivity
• Vision problems
• Speech problems
• Slower brain function
• Mood changes

Moderate to severe TBI symptoms include:

• Persistent or worsening headaches
• Unconsciousness for a few minutes to hours
• Seizures or convulsions
• Clear fluids running from the ears or nose
• Recurring nausea or vomiting
• Extreme confusion
• Behavioral changes
• Slurred speech

Which Groups Are at the Highest Risk of Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury?

People of all ages can experience a TBI, from infants to the elderly. However, CDC data suggest that certain groups have a higher risk of experiencing long-term medical problems or dying from a TBI, including:

• Residents of rural areas
• Ethnic and racial minorities
• People experiencing homelessness
• Veterans and service members
• Survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence
• People living in detention or correctional facilities

In addition, the elderly are more likely to be hospitalized or die from a TBI than any other age group.

Traumatic Brain Injury FAQs

What is a traumatic brain injury?

Also called a craniocerebral trauma, a traumatic brain injury(TBI) is damage to the brain caused by an outside force. TBIs usually result from a violent blow to the head as the result of a high-force collision such as in a motor vehicle accident. The force causes brain tissue to bruise, tear, bleed, and/or swell. These injuries affect the way the brain functions and controls other parts of the body. Victims often suffer both physical and mental effects that can impair function on a permanent basis.

What are some common brain injuries?

Physicians often classify brain injuries into types that include:

• Brain contusions – Breaks in small blood vessels leak and lead to bruising of brain tissue. Breakage may be caused by a direct impact or a secondary impact when the brain hits the opposite side of the skull. The swelling from severe contusions can prevent oxygen from reaching vital parts of the brain.
• Concussions – A severe movement such as whiplash or an impact can cause varying degrees of concussion. If the victim suffers a second concussion while still recovering from an earlier concussion, the cumulative effects can lead to serious harm.
• Penetrating brain injuries – When an object pierces the skull, the force and contact itself can damage specific areas of the brain. Pieces of the skull itself can cause penetrating brain injuries when an impact such as a fall causes the skull to crack.
• Anoxic brain injuries – When brain cells are deprived of oxygen they begin to die within just a few minutes.
• Diffuse axonal injuries – Violent movement causes tears in the tissue that connects the brain and spinal cord.
• Hypoxic brain injuries – When the brain tissue receives some oxygen but not enough to function properly the victim can suffer ischemic insult.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Victims may experience a variety of physical and mental symptoms. They often suffer from headaches, disorientation, or confusion. They may feel unusual fatigue and have difficulty maintaining balance. Nausea and vomiting are also common symptoms of concussion or other head injury. Victims often notice a change in sleep patterns and may sleep more than usual or have difficulty staying asleep. They can also experience depression, light sensitivity, ringing in the ears, and increased irritability.

What accidents commonly cause brain injuries?

Any accident that causes a sudden impact can lead to a brain injury which may not be immediately apparent. Accidents involving high-speed vehicles such as cars and trucks frequently cause TBIs, particularly when a bicyclist or pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle. Slip and fall and trip and fall accidents also commonly cause brain injuries.

How are concussions and TBIs treated?

The treatment for brain injuries varies depending on the nature and severity. For many injuries, there is little doctors can do other than to monitor for symptoms and attempt to treat pain while the brain tries to heal itself. It is critical to rest when advised and to avoid activities that could cause a secondary impact injury.

For certain severe injuries, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure or increase oxygen supply. Often those who have suffered concussions or TBIs need extensive rehabilitative therapy after physical healing to relearn basic functional skills and regain cognitive functions. Many times victims need to develop coping strategies to manage the permanent changes.

When do I need a traumatic brain injury lawyer?

It can be very helpful to have a loved one consult a traumatic brain injury lawyer right after the accident or incident that caused the injury. An attorney can provide advice about how to handle questions from insurance companies and collect evidence to support recovery. Once you hire an attorney, they can speak to investigators and others on your behalf and help ensure your loved one receives the care they need to make the most complete recovery possible.

What elements are needed to prove negligence with a brain injury?

In any negligence case, to recover compensation for your losses you need to prove that you suffered harm and that harm was caused by someone who breached a duty of care they owed to you. For instance, if you were injured in a fall, you would need to show that you were allowed to be on the property and the property owner failed to fix or warn you about a dangerous condition that they should have addressed. If you suffered a brain injury in a car accident, you would need to show how the person liable failed to live up to their duty to drive safely and how that action caused your accident and injuries. You need evidence to show each link in the chain of causation which is why it is a good idea to work with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in the DMV: Johnnie Bond Law

If you or your loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to negligence, don’t wait to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer. At Johnnie Bond Law, we have experience guiding our clients in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. through the complex legal battle of a TBI case. We will use every resource at our disposal to seek maximum compensation.

Call us at Johnnie Bond Law today at (202) 683-6803 to schedule your free consultation with our talented team of brain injury attorneys.