Brain Injury Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

brain injury awareness
Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham Blog March 16, 2022

Brain Injury Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

Brain Injury Awareness Month comes along every March. So, what do you need to know? Here are the basics, from common causes of traumatic brain injuries to steps to prevent brain injuries that you can take to lessen your chances of an accident.

And, if you do get in an accident in the Quad Cities area, call Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham. By doing so, you may be able to receive financial compensation for your injuries and their effects in the future. You can contact our personal injury lawyers at 309-794-1515.

Types of Brain Injuries Associated with Accidents

When a brain injury occurs, there are a number of symptoms you may experience. These can include:

  • Unconsciousness
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Depression
  • Confusion and lessened cognitive abilities
  • Loss of memory
  • Change in sight, taste, smell, hearing, and touch
  • Nausea
  • Issues communicating or controlling emotions

These symptoms can make it difficult for the victim to return to work, socialize, and continue life as it was before the accident. And at times, depending on the type of the injury, these symptoms never go away. 

Seven common brain injuries that can result from an accident include: 

  1. Contusions: Internal bruising occurs when the brain is forcefully thrust against the skull. 
  2. Cerebral hemorrhages: Are when an artery in the brain bursts, causing localized bleeding in the surrounding tissues.
  3. Penetration: Is when an object penetrates the skull and impacts brain tissue.
  4. Hematomas: Another type of bleeding within the skull can result in blot clots that could lead to wrongful death. 
  5. Concussions: A TBI that can affect how your brain functions. Subsequent concussions can lead to worsened and sometimes permanent symptoms.
  6. Diffuse axonal injuries: These are brain injuries that result from violent head shaking during a violent accident.
  7. Coup-contrecoup: Injuries that affect both sides of the brain.

Our Quad Cities brain injury attorneys often have clients that have sustained such injuries in an accident caused by another party.

Related: What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that about 166 deaths related to traumatic brain injury occur each day. Many of these injuries occur due to accidents, namely falls and vehicle accidents. We have seen traumatic brain injuries happen as a result of:

If this happens to you, call the Quad Cities personal injury attorneys at Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham. We will be able to listen to your situation and determine whether or not you are a candidate for financial compensation. 

Related: Do I Need a Lawyer After Being Rear-Ended?

Steps to Prevent Brain Injuries

There are a number of things you can do to prevent brain injuries for yourself and others.

  1. First, be mindful of the dangers on the road, water, or at an establishment. 
  2. Leave adequate space between you and other drivers/boaters.
  3. Heed any warnings on another’s property, like signs for a wet floor and/or a broken stair. Likewise, if you own a property, ensure it is safe for all to use.
  4. After an accident, monitor your symptoms closely. Concussion symptoms are not always obvious, so you may need to visit the doctor afterward for a diagnosis. In addition, failing to take proper care of yourself after a concussion can lead to further injury. Keeping a log of your symptoms can help you bolster your personal injury case.
  5. Seniors fall often and can suffer concussions from these falls. If you care for an elderly member of your family, remove hazards from their living space that may cause them to fall, and keep the area bright.
  6. If you are biking, make sure you wear a helmet. Helmets can not only save you from a traumatic brain injury but also from death. 

Finally, if an accident happens to you in the Quad Cities area, call Winstein, Kavensky, and Cunningham. We make home and hospital visits to ensure you receive assistance no matter what you are going through. And, by working with us, you won’t pay any fees unless we obtain financial recovery on your behalf. 

Get Help from Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham

Our brain injury attorneys serve clients in Davenport, Bettendorf, Southeastern Iowa, Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, and North Western Illinois. To schedule a free initial consultation, just call 309-794-1515. You can also reach out through LiveChat or this FREE online form. We have represented the varied legal interests of our clients, including those with TBIs, for over 50 years as a full-service law firm. So, don’t wait- reach out to us for assistance today.