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Austin Brain Injury Attorney

One of the most traumatic and life-changing personal injuries an individual can sustain is a brain injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) not only causes physical pain but often emotional and financial hardship as well, placing stress on families and loved ones. When an accident resulting in a brain injury happens due to someone else’s negligence, an Austin brain injury attorney at the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS can provide the strong, experienced representation you need to make it through this difficult time. Contact our Austin office today, by calling (512) 800-0000 or reach us online to set up your free consultation. 

Why Choose Our Austin Brain Injury Attorney?

  • We have recovered more than $500 million on behalf of clients and will maximize your chances of a favorable outcome in your case.
  • Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys are always accessible to our clients, and ensure that each one receives the attention their legal matters need.
  • We offer our services to all brain injury victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning our clients never need to worry about out-of-pocket expenses or legal fees until after we secure a recovery on their behalf.

Do You Need an Austin Brain Injury Lawyer?

Although a lawyer cannot undo the harm you have suffered, they can obtain compensation from the at-fault party that will allow you to get the care and treatment you need for a serious brain injury, giving you and your family a sense of security as you move forward in life. Navigating the claims process and legal system, however, can be confusing and difficult to do while working on your recovery. An experienced Austin brain injury lawyer will explain your options, investigate the incident, and work to build a strong claim that fits your needs. 

Overview of Common Brain Injuries

  • Concussion: A concussion occurs when the brain is damaged by impact, sudden momentum, or a change in movement. They usually result in a loss of consciousness. They can also manifest in less severe symptoms such as dizziness and confusion. 
  • Contusion: Bruises are also known as contusions; however, they are more complicated when they occur on the brain. A severe contusion may require surgery to remove. Coup-contrecoup refers to brain contusions that occur on both sides. 
  • Diffuse Axonal: With this type of injury, a severe head rotation causes the brain structures to tear. This is a severe form of concussion, leading to side effects such as seizures, migraines, headaches, and memory loss. In severe cases, these types of brain injuries can cause comas and even death.
  • Penetration: As the name implies, this injury occurs when an object penetrates the brain. Injuries of this type are easy to identify. Blood that oozes from the head usually indicates a penetration to the skull that may have reached the brain.
  • Coup-Contrecoup: In a coup-contrecoup brain injury, there is an injury on both sides of the brain: on the side of impact (coup) as well as on the opposite side (contrecoup). A coup-contrecoup injury occurs when the brain suddenly moves within the skull. A rollover collision or another violent car accident can cause this type of head injury. 

Many Types of Accidents Can Cause Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries can happen to anyone. The CDC reports that people over 75 are most vulnerable to TBI due to their increased risk of falling and hitting their heads, but there are a number of accidents that can lead to brain injury, regardless of age. They include but are not limited to:

  • Car Accidents: Car accidents are the second leading cause of TBIs after falls. When a car crash occurs, the neck and head can move freely, unlike other parts of the body. A sudden shift in momentum inside a vehicle can cause the head to move forward and strike a hard surface like the steering wheel or broken glass.
  • Pedestrian Accidents: Accidents involving pedestrians are particularly dangerous. In the absence of a vehicle, airbag, or helmet, people on foot are vulnerable to injuries to every part of their bodies, including their brains.
  • Bicycle Accidents: Like pedestrians, bike riders are comparatively unprotected when they collide with a motor vehicle like a car, semi, or delivery truck. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that 80,000 cycling-related head injuries are treated in emergency rooms every year.
  • Slip and Fall Accidents: We often associate slip and fall accidents with cuts, bruises, and broken bones, but some falls can cause serious brain injuries as well. Each year falls cause almost half of all TBI-related emergency room visits and result in approximately 235,000 hospitalizations.

By no means is this a complete list. Our legal team at the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS has the experience and resources to evaluate whether you have a claim for compensation and to pursue any claim to the fullest extent permitted by Texas law.

What Are The Effects Of Brain Injuries?

Over time, increased inflammation of the brain and decreased cell regeneration stemming from brain injuries can lead to progressive deterioration of the brain. Consequently, causing victims to suffer more stark long-term repercussions, such as neurological deficits and being more susceptible to post-traumatic dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Intervention during the chronic stages of a brain injury can assist in slowing deterioration. However, the Centers for Disease Control states that effects can include the permanency of many symptoms. For example, a victim’s new normal could include changes to: 

  • Memory and reasoning
  • Communication and understanding
  • Taste, smell, and touch 
  • Emotional stability 
  • Balance and coordination

Understanding the long-term effects of a brain injury is vital when pursuing a legal claim. The amount of damages obtained must fully compensate for every harm and loss suffered, both currently and in the future. 

What Are Some Common Damages In Traumatic Brain Injury Cases?

Our legal team will pursue every type of compensation that is available to you, including damages that cover:

  • Past and future medical expenses (including rehabilitation costs)
  • Lost wages and loss of earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of consortium
  • Punitive damages (in exceptional cases)
  • Wrongful death damages (if your loved one dies from his or her brain injury)

The amount of compensation that your case is worth will depend on many different unique factors. Those often include the nature and extent of the brain injury, as well as available insurance coverage.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Brain Injury Claim?

The time limit for most brain injury cases is two years – but it can be much shorter in certain circumstances, especially in claims where a public entity (for example, a city bus or defective sidewalk) appears to be at fault. This is why you should contact an Austin personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.

When a lawsuit is filed, however, there is no strict deadline for resolving the case. When someone has suffered a brain injury with long-term effects and needs to wait until their symptoms stabilize before determining how much their case is worth, this can be particularly important.

What if I Was Partly Responsible for the Accident that Caused My Brain Injury?

Texas’ modified comparative negligence standard allows you to sue for damages even if you are partially at fault. In the event that you are more than 50% responsible for an accident, however, you cannot seek damages. This is what’s commonly known as the ‘51% bar.’ While it isn’t as harsh as the pure contributory fault standard, which denies compensation to victims who are even 1% at fault for their accident, it can still leave you with less money than you need to cover your damages, which is why legal representation is important.

For example, if you were struck by a negligent motorist, their insurer may try to minimize any payout by claiming that you were partly responsible for the collision. If they succeed in ‘proving’ that your degree of fault is over 50%, they don’t have to pay you anything. At the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, a skilled Austin car accident attorney will be alert for this type of strategy and fight to prevent any insurer from assigning you with an inaccurate degree of blame.

Get a Free Consultation From an Austin Brain Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury, it is imperative that you contact an Austin personal injury attorney who has experience with these types of claims. Let us take some of the stress off your shoulders and fight for the compensation that you deserve. Call the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS at (512) 800-0000 to arrange a free consultation, or send a request online for more information.