Auto Collisions

When Is a Fatal Accident Considered a Wrongful Death?

Fatal accidents are always tragic. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is extremely difficult and finding a way to pick up the pieces can seem all but impossible.

Unfortunately, people lose their lives in fatal accidents every day. From car crashes to construction accidents, there are countless tragedies in which one can suffer loss of life. But when does an accidental death become a wrongful death?

Georgia Car Seat Laws: A Guide to Driving Safely with Children

As a parent, the safety of your children should always be your primary concern. This is especially true when traveling in a car or another vehicle. Car accidents are the leading cause of injuries and death among children between the ages of 1 and 12 in Georgia, and national statistics indicate that more than 1,300 children died in crashes in 2009 while 179,000 more were injured.

Motorcycle Safety: All You Need to Know about the Georgia Helmet Law

When motorcyclists are involved in accidents, they lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle. This lack of protection greatly increases their risk of injury and death. In fact, the number of deaths on motorcycles per mile traveled is nearly 29 times higher than the number in other vehicles. Head injuries are a leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents, so helmet use is crucial. While no helmet completely eliminates this risk for motorcycle riders, they are about 67 percent effective in the prevention of brain injuries and reduce the risk of death by about 37 percent.

Bikers are not required by law to wear helmets in all states, but Georgia has fairly strict regulations to help prevent injuries and death. What does the Georgia motorcycle law mean for bikers in the state? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know.

Georgia Motorcycle Helmet Law: The Basics

What To Know About Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can arise from even the most seemingly mild blows to the head or from the head being thrown violently back-and-forth in a rear end car crash. Depending on their severity, head injuries can resolve in a matter of days or result in disabling physical and psychological damage that last a lifetime.

Because of the complexity of brain injuries, legal claims involving those injuries are best handled by attorneys who understand the potential long-term consequences of TBI.

Medical Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries are either classified as mild or severe. The most common type of injury resulting from an automobile accident is a concussion, which is a closed-brain injury that is generally considered to be a mild, or low-level, injury. The trouble with closed-brain injuries occurs when there is unconsciousness. Closed-brain injuries that cause unconsciousness for over 30 minutes are considered to be more severe, high-level injuries.

Similar to the more severe types of closed-brain injuries, open-brain injuries are very serious and often cause long-term damage. Regardless of whether a brain injury is considered mild or severe, any injury of this kind can have long-lasting effects. Some of these include:

• Cognitive abilities
  • Concentration
  • Memory
  • Processing
• Speech and language
  • Speaking and understanding speech
  • Reading and writing
• Loss of primary senses
  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Diminished sense of taste and smell
  • Interpretation of touch, temperature, movement, and limb position
• Physical changes
  • Chronic pain
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Inability to regulate body temperature

Depending on the nature of the trauma, how much damage occurred, and which part of the brain was affected, the recovery time for head trauma can range anywhere from a couple of days to weeks, months, or even years. The simple fact is, most people who suffer a severe TBI never fully recover and are often left with problems for the rest of their lives. At their worst, traumatic brain injuries can cause permanent physical or cognitive disability and other equally serious problems.

Emotional Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury

Perhaps even more devastating than the physical toll is the emotional consequences of a brain injury. These problems are not health-related, in the physical sense, but are just as real. Some of the most common include:

• Depression
• Irritability
• Lack of motivation
• Aggression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

While these emotional problems may have originated from the brain injury itself, they may also be based on the emotions experienced after the injury. Serious physical problems can leave someone feeling like less of a person than they once were, which can lead directly to emotional problems that are every bit as crippling.

Financial Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury

All of the physical and emotional consequences that a traumatic brain injury can cause will often lead to financial struggles. Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and missed work time are just a few of the financial consequences faced when a brain injury is involved. It’s important to note that if an injury requires long-term treatment, that treatment will have to be paid for out-of-pocket if it is not covered by insurance.

Unfortunately, some financial consequences are even worse. When an injury leads to temporary or permanent disability, long-term unemployment if a real risk. Obviously, this can leave the injured and their families in dire financial circumstances.

In Conclusion

The effects of a traumatic brain injury can last for years and may not be obvious right after an accident. These problems can be medical, emotional, psychological or even financial in nature. As the consequences of TBI are not always evident at first, it’s a good idea to speak to an attorney who knows what a fair settlement is for this type of injury.