Brain Injury Treatment

Trauma to the brain can occur after a car accident when the brain is affected by the impact of a violent physical force, such as striking against the window or steering wheel. If you were in a car accident and suffered injuries, learn more about your options for brain injury treatment after an auto accident.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious injury caused to the brain as the result of a jolt or blow to the head. According to the Mayfield Clinic, there are several types of TBI that can occur after an auto accident, including the following:

•     Concussion (mild injury causing a brief loss of consciousness)
•     Contusion (bruising to the brain)
•     Diffuse axonal injury (shearing and stretching of the nerve cells when the brain moves back and forth inside the skull quickly)
•     Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding around the brain)
•     Hematoma (a blood clot that forms after blood vessel ruptures)

Oftentimes, after a severe auto accident, a victim will suffer more than one of these TBIs, which all may have a different degree of seriousness. Additionally, as well as having a primary brain injury, some victims develop secondary brain injuries, which occur as the body’s inflammatory response to the primary injury causes additional medical problems.

Symptoms of TBI

Depending on the type of TBI, a victim of an auto accident may suffer from the following symptoms:

•     Loss of consciousness
•     Fatigue
•     Headache
•     Confusion or disorientation
•     Cognitive difficulties
•     Dizziness or loss of balance
•     Inappropriate emotional responses
•     Dilated pupils
•     Vomiting
•     Visual problems
•     Speech difficulties

Any physical, emotional, or mental changes that occur after an auto accident should be promptly evaluated by a medical professional.

Treatments for Brain Injuries

There are several different types of brain injury treatments, and most depend on the type of injury suffered by the victim. 

Rest and Medication 

Most often, victims with TBI simply need to rest and take medication for their headaches. In many cases, a victim has simply suffered a concussion, which can take weeks or months to heal completely. Some of the suggestions include rest, over the counter painkillers, and not straining the brain with difficult thinking such as reading, working, or even watching television. While this may seem frustrating to those who have suffered a brain injury, rest is vital to the recovery process. 

Hospitalizations and Surgery

However, if a more serious or severe TBI exists, it may require intensive care in the hospital to monitor any signs of bleeding or swelling in the brain. If any bleeding or swelling occurs, a doctor may determine if it is an emergency and whether it requires surgery. However, there are other cases where a victim may be hospitalized and monitored by a neuroscience intensive care unit of a hospital. 

If surgery is needed, a surgeon may be able to perform a craniotomy to repair any skull fractures, bleeding vessels, or blood clots in the brain. Other times, surgery is necessary to remove a section of bone so that the brain can expand or swell without danger.

Every hospitalization and every surgery will differ and be entirely dependent upon the type and severity of brain injury suffered. 

Extended Monitoring 

Oftentimes, the main area to monitor is the cerebral blood flow and amount of oxygen the brain is receiving. Some ways to monitor these levels are through intracranial pressure monitoring, which involves a catheter in the skull or a brain oxygen monitor, which is also placed through a catheter in the skull. Some victims of TBI may require a ventilator to help them breathe or even a feeding tube to help them with nutritional needs. Hospitals will also monitor TBI patients for any seizure activity through an electroencephalogram (EEG). Monitoring may occur with or without surgeries depending on the treatment plan developed by the victim’s physician. 

Rehabilitative Therapy 

In many cases, those who suffer brain injuries will need some sort of rehabilitative therapy. These types of therapy can include the following: 

• Physical therapy to regain strength and coordination
• Occupational therapy to help a patient learn to perform daily tasks again such as eating, cooking, bathing, or getting dressed
• Speech therapy to relearn how to form words and communication skills, and in some cases swallowing
• Physiological therapy to help a patient cope emotionally with their new medical condition and limitations 
• Vocational therapy to help a patient attempt to either return to work or find a new type of employment more conducive to their current medical condition
• Cognitive therapy to assist a patient in their attention, learning, judgment, planning, perception, and memory skills

TBIs can be serious and life-long injuries. There are clinical trials that study new treatments for drugs, therapies, and other procedures to attempt to improve the condition of any victim that suffers from a TBI. It is important to note that not all head injuries are the same, and each person will recover at different rates and with differing levels of success. It may be difficult at the early stages of a TBI to determine how the victim will recover. Some recoveries may take weeks, months, or even years.

Contact a Brain Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love is seeking brain injury treatment after an auto accident, this may be an emotional and challenging time for you. The Florida brain injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can help you determine if you have the right to receive compensation for your brain injury due to someone else’s negligence and can help you with your next steps. Call us at (954) 633-8270.

We also help the victims of brain injury in the following cities:

• Florida brain injury lawyer
• Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyer
• Fort Myers brain injury lawyer
• Miami brain injury lawyer
• West Palm Beach brain injury lawyer
• Boynton Beach brain injury lawyer

Florida Bike Accident Law Process

It’s not uncommon to see people out and about riding their bikes at any time of day here in Florida. Whether it’s for pleasure or for exercise, bike riding is a hot commodity; but as with any moving vehicle, riding a bike does come with a possibility for danger. Did you know that Pinellas Park, FL is considered the world’s most dangerous place to ride a bike in all of America? This specific county has the highest cyclist death rate in the Tampa Bay metro area and the highest rate of any metro area in the entire U.S.

The Law Office Of Wolf & Pravato is a leading Bike Injury law firm

After someone has incurred a bicycle accident, there are various types of compensation of your bike accident that can be rewarded, such as medical expenses and future medical costs, rehabilitation or nursing home care, lost wages or earning capacity, pain and suffering, medical devices or products, and any additional expenses that are a result of or related to the accident. To get the most compensation you deserve, it is important to hire a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer you trust to get the job done. If you personally have been involved in a South Florida bicycle accident, it is your right to consult a Florida bicycle accident lawyer and receive legal representation. In the case that your family member is the one who has been involved in the accident, and is unable to file the case themselves, whether because the victim has died or is physically unable to do so, you must present identification documents that prove you are related to the injured, and in the event that the case is won, you would receive the settlement as the family representative.

Bicycle accidents don’t just happen in Florida. They happen everywhere. The United States is crawling with bicycle-related injuries — 900 deaths, 23,000 hospital admissions, 580,000 emergency department visits, and 1.2 million physical visits per year, to be exact. These numbers can dramatically decrease if people take precaution each and every time they strap on that helmet, clip into their bike shoes, and ride off into the distance. Bicyclists should always obey traffic laws and ride defensively, use safety gear and reflective clothing for easy visibility, make sure to keep up with bike maintenance, always pay attention to all surroundings, and plan ahead for whatever your ride may entail, and wherever your ride may take you.

The Law Office of Wolf & Pravato is a leading personal injury law firm in Fort Lauderdale that distinguishes itself because of decades of experience and the legal resources to handle virtually any case involving injury to families or individuals. For 21 years, we have handled thousands of personal injury cases, and with each case comes more knowledge about our community and how to best serve our clients. Our four office locations in Fort Myers, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami allow us to conveniently and efficiently serve people in communities all over South Florida, including Aventura, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Cape Coral, Coral Gables, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Hallandale Beach, Hialeah, Hollywood, Homestead, Jupiter, Lake Worth, Margate, Miami, Miami Beach, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Port Charlotte, Port St. Lucie, Tamarac, Tampa, West Palm Beach and Weston.

Thankfully, Florida safety procedures are on the rise because of an organization called Vision Zero Fort Lauderdale, a response to citizens’ concerns about safety for the traveling public, which includes walking, biking, driving, or riding the train or bus. Its mission is to achieve a “zero fatality transportation network” through three specific principles:

• Principle 1: There is not an acceptable level of fatality or injury on our streets.
• Principle 2: Traffic deaths and injuries are not accidents but preventable crashes. Principle 3: The public should expect safe behavior on city streets and actively participate in efforts to make them safer.

These changes won’t happen overnight, but with the right amount of time and resources, and efforts made by both private and public partners at the City, county, state and federal government levels, the goal can be met. While we hope to see improved accident statistics in our state, we still aim to can bring justice to those who have been affected, and continue to be affected, by these incidents in South Florida. The law office of Wolf & Pravato will help get these victims and their families back to the life they knew pre-accident.

Rights After A Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve never experienced getting out on the open road on a motorcycle, then you don’t know what you’re missing. And, apparently, millions of Americans agree. The stereotype of a biker wearing a leather vest with motorcycle club insignia is going away as more and more people are embracing the activity. In fact, from 1999 to 2012, the number of registered motorcycles in the U.S. more than doubled from over 4.1 million to 9.4 million. However, many people still worry about the safety afforded by a motorcycle. Let’s face it; in an accident with a car or truck, the motorcycle is going to lose.

The lack of a surrounding structure to cushion the impact means that an accident is also more likely to result in more serious, if not fatal, injury for the biker. However, if you are involved in an accident, you do still have the same rights as someone involved in a regular car wreck. Here are some of the things that you need to know about motorcycle accidents and the law.

Most Common Motorcycle Injuries

There are a variety of very common injuries associated with motorcycle accidents. Aside from the standard cuts and lacerations, the most common injury involves bone breaks. Legs and arm breaks are common, but the most common is a broken collarbone since a driver who is thrown from the bike will usually land on the collarbone. This is more than immensely painful—it can also seriously hinder a person’s ability to work.

Major injuries include amputations (usually associated with a foot or leg), head injuries including brain trauma, paralysis, and even death. That is why it is so important for motorcyclists to wear a helmet. A helmet has a 67% likelihood of preventing brain injuries and a 37% likelihood of preventing deaths in the event of an accident.

Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Many drivers seem to have it in for motorcyclists, blaming them instantly for accidents by accusing them of weaving in and out of traffic at high rates of speed. However, the statistics actually show that car drivers are to blame in about 75% of all motorcycle vs. car accidents. Usually, this is because a car or truck driver will change lanes without seeing the motorcycle and sideswipe them or because the driver fails to yield the right of way to a biker. Bikers also have to worry about using “suicide lanes” for much the same reason. If a car is making a left turn across traffic, they may also pull out in front of bikes because they either don’t see the smaller vehicle or cannot accurately visually gauge how fast the bike is traveling. One way to avoid this is to always be diligent and aware of your surroundings. If you know that you are in a vehicle’s blind spot, it may be a good idea to speed up or slow down slightly just to put some distance between yourself and that vehicle. For more help in your case contact an experienced lawyer for your motorcycle accident liability.

Motorcycle Accidents and the Law

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, then you are entitled to the same coverage and protection under the law. Most lawsuits involving motorcycles involve some form of negligence. The first step in determining if you have a case is to determine if the other person was negligent in some manner, such as not yielding the right of way, driving while intoxicated, or speeding. (Motorcycle drivers can also be found negligent if they cause an accident; they can also, conversely, be sued for this.) If a wreck is serious enough, for instance, that you’re significantly injured, then the negligent party could be responsible for paying:

Compensation You Get From Motorcycle Accident:

• Medical bills;
• Lost wages;
• Lost earning potential; and
• Pain and suffering.

Special Considerations in Motorcycle Accidents

There are a few special considerations that you must take into account with these accidents:

• A passenger who is riding behind the driver of a motorcycle can sue the negligent party (be it the car driver or motorcycle driver) if he or she is injured due to that negligence.
• A time limit or “statute of limitations” may be set in your state from the time the accident occurs and the time that you must come forward with your lawsuit. This varies from state-to-state, but some states have as little as two years.
• Some states have what is referred to as a “No-Fault” system. This means that if you are injured in a motorcycle accident with a car driver, then your insurance must cover your medical bills and other compensation such as lost work. This occurs even if the other driver was negligent and at fault. Under this system, you may only sue for additional damages if you suffer “significant injuries” such as paralysis, disfigurement, amputation or death. A court will have to rule if your injuries qualify as significant.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For Legal Help:

Because of these special considerations, it is important that you consult with an experienced attorney who can inform you of all of the laws in your area. The lawyers at the law offices of Wolf & Pravato have extensive experience in negligence cases of this type and will be happy to consult with you about your options.

We also help the victims of a motorcycle accident in the following cities:

• Florida motorcycle accident lawyer
• Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyer
• Fort Myers motorcycle accident lawyer
• Miami motorcycle accident lawyer
• West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer
• Boynton Beach motorcycle accident lawyer

New Motorcycle Safety Device Tries to Reduce Rear-end Collisions

Vololights, a new LED equipped license plate holder developed by California company Vectolabs aims to reduce rear end collisions.  The product will light up whenever the motorcycle decelerates, regardless of weather or not the brakes are being used.  The idea is that since motorcycles slow down faster than cars and trucks on average that these lights can do a better job of alerting following drivers to prevent accidents.

Many motorcycle organizations and state bureaus of motor vehicles already encourage riders to flash their brakes when slowing.  Vectolabs wants to make this process easier and automatic. It is also beneficial for owners of some classic bikes, like 1960s Vespa scooters where only the brake pedal is connected to the brake lights, not the front grip hand brakes.

Electonic cars like Tesla already offer a similar system, that illuminates the brake light as soon as you lift your foot off of the accelerator regardless of whether you employ the brake.  Vololights should be in keeping with various state laws for brake lights but a stealth mode can be used to revert back to normal brake light illumination.

Vololights plans to roll our their technology beyond just motorcycles.  They intend to start working with major fleets to use the technology across their vehicles. From vans, cars, trailers and trucks, they aim to bring  more attention to all kinds of vehicles on the road. The idea is that usage of this device would equate to reduced rear end collisions and subsequently reduce insurance rates.

Vectolabs is currently in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign to raise $50,000 by June 12th in order to put the Vololights into production. A number of pledge levels are available, but it’ll cost you at least $69 if you pledge for a starter kit.

How much you pay for auto insurance depends on different factors, including your age, where you live, and what kind of vehicle you drive. It can be hard to know which type of coverage you need and how much you should pay for it. Here are 3 things to keep in mind when shopping for car insurance.

1. Determine the coverage you need – Depending on your driving habits and your budget, you can include or omit certain types of coverage. Different kinds include bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, collision coverage, and comprehensive.

2. Look for Discounts – Many insurance companies offer discounts for safe driving, good school grades or for taking a driver safety course. Do your research and find out what discounts you might be eligible for. If you already have insurance, see if your carrier has discounts you weren’t aware of. You can usually find this information on the Internet or by calling a salesperson.

3. Comparison Shop – Comparing prices is now easier than ever, thanks to the Internet. You can also look in the phone book and all-around to your local insurance carriers for rates. It is also a good idea to comparison shop once a year when your policy is nearing time for renewal just to see what is out there. On the other hand, some companies will give you a discount for loyalty.

Remember to take your time and do not feel rushed into buying a policy that you are uncomfortable with or isn’t right for you. Make sure you ask the salesperson questions about anything you do not understand. If something doesn’t feel right or you want to check out the background on a certain company, contact your state’s department of insurance for more information.

4 Things about Uninsured Motorist Coverage 

It’s estimated that up to 30% of drivers in Florida may lack insurance , which could leave you with a financial problem if you aren’t covered. Here’s how UM protection works:

• The uninsured driver in the accident must be the negligent party. If you are liable for the accident, you can’t collect UM coverage benefits.

• Your damages must exceed the benefits in your no-fault policy. This kind of policy applies only to injuries, not property damage.

• The negligent party either must lack bodily injury liability coverage or have insufficient coverage. When there is insufficient coverage, you must exhaust those benefits before tapping into your UM benefits.

• To purchase UM coverage, you must purchase bodily injury liability insurance . Your UM coverage is required by law to be the same limit as your bodily injury coverage.

To get a thorough understanding of your rights after you have been in an accident with an uninsured driver, you should schedule a consultation with a Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer at an automobile accident law.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale Accident Lawyer

At The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, our lawyers understand the effect serious car accidents can have on victims as well as their families. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact the Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer team at the law offices of Wolf & Pravato today to learn how we can help – 1-954-633-8270. We also serve clients in West Palm Beach, Fort Myers and beyond.

We help the victims of other practice areas:

• Medical Malpractice Fort Lauderdale
• Motorcycle Accident Fort Lauderdale
• Pedestrian Injuries Fort Lauderdale
• Personal Injury Fort Lauderdale
• Premises Liability Fort Lauderdale