Winston-Salem Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change your life in an instant. Whether it’s caused by a car crash on U.S. 52, a fall at work, or another serious accident, a TBI can affect your ability to work, think clearly, and live independently.

When someone else’s negligence causes a TBI, you shouldn’t have to handle the consequences alone. Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost income can quickly overwhelm families already dealing with a difficult recovery.

The Winston-Salem traumatic brain injury lawyers at Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers help catastrophic injury victims pursue the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI in Winston-Salem or anywhere in the Triad, our legal team is ready to help.

Contact Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.

What Is a TBI?

A TBI occurs when a sudden blow, jolt, or penetrating injury disrupts normal brain function. These injuries often happen during serious accidents, and they can range from mild concussions to life-altering brain damage.

Medical professionals typically classify traumatic brain injuries into several categories:

• Mild TBI: A mild TBI, also known as a concussion, may cause temporary symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems.
• Moderate TBI: Moderate TBIs often involve longer periods of unconsciousness or cognitive impairment that can last weeks or months.
• Severe TBI: Severe TBIs can cause permanent disabilities affecting speech, mobility, memory, and personality.

One of the challenges with brain injuries is that symptoms don’t always appear immediately. Headaches, dizziness, personality changes, or difficulty concentrating may develop hours or even days after an accident.

Because TBIs can worsen without treatment, it’s important to get medical treatment right away after any accident involving a head injury.

How Do People Suffer Traumatic Brain Injuries?

TBIs can occur in many types of accidents. In Winston-Salem and across North Carolina, some of the most common causes include:

Car Accidents

Vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of TBIs. When a car suddenly stops or changes direction during a collision, the brain can strike the inside of the skull, causing serious trauma.

For example, in January 2013, a 23-year-old North Carolina man suffered a devastating TBI in a crash on Interstate 85, resulting in him being airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem and starting a recovery journey that continues to this day.

In another tragic example, a 15-year-old Winston-Salem girl suffered a TBI while riding as a passenger in a vehicle that crashed into a telephone pole while the driver navigated a winding road. The crash occurred more than three decades ago in September 1992, but she has used her experience with her injury to become a TBI awareness advocate.

Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents often involve greater force due to the size and weight of these vehicles. Victims frequently suffer catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.

Workplace Accidents

Construction sites, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities can expose workers to falling objects, machinery accidents, or slips and falls that result in head injuries.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Falls are one of the most common causes of brain injuries, especially for older adults. A fall on a wet floor, uneven sidewalk, or poorly maintained property can lead to serious head trauma.

Sports and Recreational Accidents

High-impact sports or recreational activities can also cause concussions and more severe brain injuries.

When any of these accidents happen because of someone else’s negligence, such as a reckless driver, negligent property owner, or unsafe workplace, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your damages.

What Are the Complications of a TBI?

Traumatic brain injuries can have far-reaching consequences that affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life.

Common complications include:

• Cognitive Impairment: Brain injuries can affect memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
• Personality and Behavioral Changes: Many TBI survivors experience mood swings, depression, anxiety, or personality changes.
• Speech and Communication Difficulties: Damage to certain parts of the brain may make speaking or understanding language more difficult.
• Physical Limitations: Some people experience chronic headaches, balance problems, coordination issues, or paralysis.
• Long-Term Disability: In severe cases, individuals may require lifelong assistance with daily tasks.

Because the brain controls nearly every function in the body, the effects of a TBI can extend well beyond the initial accident.

What Are the Costs Associated With a TBI?

The financial impact of a TBI can be overwhelming for families, including those with health insurance.

It’s common for families to greatly underestimate the long-term costs associated with these injuries. In severe cases, the lifetime cost of treating a TBI can easily exceed $1 million in severe cases due to ongoing medical care and rehabilitation needs.

Common expenses associated with TBIs include:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Hospital stays
• Diagnostic testing, such as CT scans or MRIs
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Prescription medications
• In-home care or assisted living
• Home modifications
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity

When an accident that resulted in a TBI was caused by someone else’s negligence, pursuing fair compensation can help ensure you’re not forced to shoulder these financial burdens out of pocket.

What Compensation Am I Eligible to Receive for My TBI?

If your injury was caused by another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a personal injury claim.

Possible compensation for a TBI may include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes past and future medical bills related to your injury.
• Lost Income: If your injury prevents you from working, you may recover compensation for lost wages.
• Reduced Earning Capacity: Some brain injury victims are unable to return to their previous careers.
• Pain and Suffering: Traumatic brain injuries often involve physical pain and emotional distress.
• Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care: Compensation may also cover ongoing therapy or assisted care needs.

Every case is different, so the value of your claim will depend on the severity of your injury and the long-term effects on your life.

What Steps Should I Take After Suffering a TBI?

Taking the right steps after an accident can protect both your health and your legal rights. These steps include:

1. Seek immediate medical attention. Always get evaluated by a medical professional after any head injury. Even if symptoms seem minor, brain injuries can worsen without treatment.
2. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Attend all follow-up appointments and follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully.
3. Document the accident. If possible, gather information such as:
   1. Photos of the accident scene
   1. Contact information for witnesses
   1. Police or incident reports
4. Avoid speaking with insurance companies alone. Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim or ask for statements that could be used against you.
5. Contact a Winston-Salem TBI lawyer. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney can help protect your rights, gather evidence, and guide you through the legal process.

Where Should I Get Treatment for My TBI?

If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury in Winston-Salem, seeking immediate treatment from qualified medical professionals is essential.

Thankfully, there are several high-quality hospitals and rehabilitation centers in the area that can provide care for serious head injuries, including:

• Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is a nationally recognized academic medical center in Winston-Salem that provides advanced trauma care, neurology services, and specialized treatment for complex brain injuries.
• Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center is a large regional hospital offering emergency services, surgical care, neurological treatment, and imaging services for patients recovering from traumatic injuries.
• Wake Forest Baptist Rehabilitation Services provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, and neurological rehabilitation programs designed to help brain injury patients regain mobility, cognitive function, and independence.
• Novant Health Rehabilitation Services offers personalized rehabilitation programs that help patients recover from serious injuries through physical therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation.

Prompt treatment not only improves recovery outcomes but also creates medical documentation that can be important if you pursue a personal injury claim.

Are Any TBI Support Groups Available in Winston-Salem?

Recovering from a TBI can be emotionally challenging for both survivors and their families. Support groups can provide valuable guidance, encouragement, and resources.

In the Winston-Salem and greater North Carolina area, several organizations provide support for brain injury survivors:

• Brain Injury Association of North Carolina: This organization offers educational resources, support programs, and advocacy for people living with brain injuries throughout the state.
• Hickory Brain Injury Support Group: This group meets on the last Tuesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 311 3rd Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601.
• Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland County Brain Injury Support Group: This group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at ComServ, 1541 Delta Drive, Gastonia, NC 28052.

How Can a Lawyer Help With My TBI Claim?

TBI claims are often complex and heavily disputed by insurance companies. That can make them difficult to deal with, especially when you’re already dealing with the cognitive, behavioral, and personality changes that are common with TBIs.

An experienced Winston-Salem TBI lawyer can help by:

• Investigating the accident or incident that led to your TBI
• Gathering medical records and expert testimony
• Calculating the full value of your damages
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Filing a lawsuit if necessary
• Representing you in court

Insurance companies often try to minimize brain injury claims because of their high value. Having an experienced attorney from Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers on your side can help ensure your rights are protected.

Contact Our Winston-Salem Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers Today

A traumatic brain injury can affect every part of your life, from your health and career to your relationships and financial stability. You shouldn’t have to face those challenges alone, especially when someone else’s negligence caused your injury.

The team at Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers understands the devastating impact brain injuries can have on Winston-Salem families. Our attorneys work tirelessly to help injured clients pursue the compensation they deserve.

If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI in Winston-Salem or the surrounding Triad region, our catastrophic injury lawyers here to help. Contact Lewis & Keller Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward.