NJ traumatic brain injury accident cases in New Jersey require experienced legal representation. At Maxwell, Tassini & Gardner, LLC in Spring Lake, we help injured clients throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties pursue their NJ traumatic brain injury accident claims. If you need a NJ traumatic brain injury accident attorney who understands New Jersey law, call (732) 230-5003 for a free consultation.
What Are the Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most serious and life-altering consequences of car accidents in New Jersey. A TBI can range from a mild concussion to a severe injury causing permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, and disability. Because TBI symptoms are often subtle or delayed, many accident victims do not realize they have a brain injury until days or weeks later—by which time critical medical evidence may have been lost.
How Car Accidents Cause TBIs
A TBI occurs when an external force disrupts normal brain function. In car accidents, this can happen through:
- Direct impact: The head strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, side window, headrest, or other interior surface.
- Coup-contrecoup injury: The brain rebounds inside the skull, causing bruising on both the impact side and the opposite side.
- Rotational forces: The brain twists or shears within the skull during rapid acceleration or deceleration, even without direct head impact. This mechanism is common in rear-end and side-impact collisions.
Importantly, you do not need to hit your head to suffer a TBI. The sudden deceleration forces in a car accident can cause the brain to move within the skull, resulting in diffuse axonal injury—a type of brain damage caused by the shearing of nerve fibers.
Signs and Symptoms of a TBI
TBI symptoms vary by severity but may include:
Mild TBI (Concussion):
- Headache or head pressure
- Brief loss of consciousness (or none at all)
- Confusion or feeling “foggy”
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Sleep disturbances (sleeping more or less than usual)
- Mood changes, irritability, or anxiety
Moderate to Severe TBI:
- Persistent or worsening headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Seizures or convulsions
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in extremities
- Loss of coordination
- Profound confusion or agitation
- Loss of consciousness lasting minutes to hours
- Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears (possible skull fracture)
Delayed TBI Symptoms
Many TBI symptoms have a delayed onset. Concussion symptoms frequently do not appear until 24 to 72 hours after the accident. Some cognitive and emotional symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and personality changes, may not become apparent for weeks. This is why medical professionals recommend monitoring for new or worsening symptoms for at least two weeks following any head injury or car accident involving significant forces.
Diagnosis and Treatment
TBI diagnosis may involve neurological examination, CT scan (to rule out bleeding or skull fracture), MRI (to detect subtle brain damage), and neuropsychological testing (to evaluate cognitive function). Treatment depends on severity: mild TBIs typically require rest and monitoring, while moderate to severe TBIs may require hospitalization, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation.
TBI and Your Personal Injury Claim
TBI cases are among the highest-value personal injury claims because of the profound impact brain injuries have on every aspect of the victim’s life. Damages in TBI cases typically include extensive medical expenses, long-term rehabilitation costs, lost earning capacity, and significant pain and suffering. A TBI almost always satisfies the verbal threshold for a pain and suffering claim under N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8. Insurance companies frequently undervalue TBI claims by focusing on normal CT or MRI results. Your attorney should retain neuropsychological experts and life care planners to document the full extent of your brain injury and its impact on your future.
Contact MTG Lawyers Today
Maxwell, Tassini & Gardner, LLC
302 Washington Avenue, Suite 101
Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Phone: (732) 230-5003
Serving Monmouth and Ocean counties
If you were injured in an accident in New Jersey, you may have a compensable claim. Call MTG Lawyers at (732) 230-5003 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We speak English and Spanish. Hablamos español.
Understanding your NJ traumatic brain injury accident case is essential. Our attorneys handle NJ traumatic brain injury accident matters daily and know how to maximize your recovery. A NJ traumatic brain injury accident attorney at Maxwell, Tassini & Gardner, LLC can evaluate your claim during a free consultation.
Learn More About NJ traumatic brain injury accident
For more information about nj traumatic brain injury accident, explore these related resources:
- see doctor after NJ car accident — related guide from MTG Lawyers
- delayed symptoms NJ car accident — related guide from MTG Lawyers
- common NJ car accident injuries — related guide from MTG Lawyers
- CDC TBI symptoms and diagnosis — official NJ resource
For personalized guidance on nj traumatic brain injury accident, contact MTG Lawyers for a free consultation. Call (732) 230-5003 or reach out online today. Our NJ personal injury attorneys have helped thousands of accident victims recover the compensation they deserve.