According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually. The CDC reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of TBI-related deaths and are the second leading cause of TBIs. Unfortunately, many brain injury victims struggle to return to the lives they led before the accident.
Life after a TBI may be very different for survivors. The victim may not be able to physically perform as he or she did prior to the accident. He or she may have reduced mental capabilities and a number of brain injury victims also deal with behavioral changes that may be permanent.
How a victim is able to cope with his or her new struggles depends on the severity and location of the brain trauma. Emotionally, the experience can be frustrating and overwhelming. Brain injuries are typically slow to heal and many victims experience depression, anxiety, and anger. Some TBI victims are able to regain some of their lost abilities while acquiring skills to cope with their disabilities.
One of the many unfortunate realities of living with a brain injury is the necessity for continued treatment, check-ups, doctor visits, and ongoing rehabilitation. In severe cases, victims may need round-the-clock support. Even simple mental and physical tasks that were once easy can become impossible without help. Tragically, the cost of continued support and care is often well above what the victim or the victim’s family can afford.
When the brain injury was caused as the result of someone else’s negligence, the at-fault parties can be held liable. Depending on the cause of the New York car accident, financial compensation may be available for the victim’s significant losses. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can assess the circumstances of the crash and help the victim understand all of the legal options available.
The experienced New York car accident TBI lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP understand how important it is for brain injury victims to receive fair compensation for their losses. We offer free consultations at (212) 222-4336 to anyone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury in a New York car accident.