What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injuries happen when the brain strikes the inside of the skull after a violent blow or jolt. Brain injuries can also occur when an object enters the skull and damages the soft tissue in the brain.
In mild cases of TBI, the brain’s cells may get temporarily damaged. More severe TBIs can cause bleeding, torn tissue, bruising, and extensive brain damage. A severe or catastrophic TBI can cause major physical impairments and psychological changes. In the worst-case scenarios, brain injuries can be fatal.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, traumatic brain injuries killed 64,362 people in 2020 and caused 223,135 victims to be hospitalized in 2019. That is about 176 deaths and 611 hospitalizations every day.
After a brain injury, medical professionals in San Rafael and Marin County rely on advanced imaging and steady follow-up care to measure the extent of damage. Quick access to local rehabilitation services often determines how well an individual can recover basic skills or independence. Families benefit from working with medical teams familiar with treating brain injuries in Northern California, as this ensures care and support tailored to the needs of this region.
Don’t settle for less. Fight for full compensation.
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$2,000,000 Truck Accident
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$1,850,000 Pedestrian Accident
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$1,800,000 Motorcycle Accident
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$1,750,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
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$1,495,000 Premises Liability
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$1,410,000 Premises Liability
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$1,300,000 Pedestrian Accident
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$1,000,000 Rollover Accident
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What Are Common Causes of Brain Injuries?
Brain injuries can happen anywhere. You might be driving to work when a reckless driver runs a red light and hits your car, or you might slip and fall while shopping for groceries. It only takes a small act of negligence or aggression from someone else for an accident to change lives. Here are some of the most common causes we have seen:
- Car accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Boating accidents
- Slip and fall
Physical violence, such as punching or shaking, contact sports like rugby or football, and recreational activities such as skiing, ATV riding, and biking can also cause brain injuries.
People in San Rafael face unique risk factors given Marin County’s active lifestyle and access to mountain biking and hiking trails. Local parks, busy intersections near downtown, and Highway 101 increase the risk of both vehicle and recreational accidents. Community sports and public events are also common places where brain injuries happen because of falls or collisions. Understanding these local patterns helps families recognize the wide range of situations that can result in traumatic brain injuries around San Rafael.
What are the Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injury?
An accident can cause any one of a number of different brain injuries, including:
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Concussion
Concussions are bruises on the brain that result when the brain strikes the inside of your skull after a sudden or sharp blow or jolt.
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Fractured SkullHard blows can crack or splinter the skull, causing massive brain damage. When the skull splinters, bone shards can penetrate the brain tissue and cause severe bleeding, while cracks in the skull can put pressure on the brain, leading to serious injury.
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Hematoma or Hemorrhage
Both hemorrhages and hematomas occur as a result of internal bleeding within the brain. Hematomas are most commonly caused by blood clots leading to burst vessels, while hemorrhages are generally caused by hard blows to the head.
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Penetration Injury
An external object can cause massive blood loss if it breaks through the skull and destroys brain tissue. Further damage can be caused by skull fragments penetrating the brain.
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Shear Injury
Shear injuries occur when the brain is shaken or rotated violently. A car crash or other incident can cause this to happen.
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Coup-Contrecoup Injury
In a coup-contrecoup injury, the brain sustains multiple hard blows while rattling within the skull. Generally, this occurs due to a violent blow to the head.
What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Brain injuries show through symptoms, but these symptoms can take time to appear. This is why you should seek medical treatment immediately after a suspected injury. Emergency room doctors, neurologists, and neuropsychologists use diagnostic tools like X-rays, computer-assisted tomography (CAT scans), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) to assess the damage.
People who have been hit in the head may experience some or all of these symptoms right after the incident. A doctor should be consulted immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:
Common symptoms can include headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, mood changes, memory difficulties, and problems with balance or coordination. Some symptoms, like difficulty sleeping or irritability, may not show up right away. In Marin County, local hospitals provide experienced care for TBI symptoms, and it’s wise to get evaluated quickly. Friends or family may notice subtle changes in mood, speech, or awareness before the injured person does. Always err on the side of caution if you suspect a traumatic brain injury, even if the symptoms appear mild.
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Dizziness and Disorientation
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Head and/or Neck Pain
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Confusion
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Memory Loss
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Difficulty Remembering, Concentrating, or Communicating
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Insomnia
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Depression
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Seizures
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Personality Changes
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Unconsciousness
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Nausea and Vomitting
Talk to a San Rafael Brain Injury Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury, call an experienced Oakland brain injury lawyer at the Kuvara Law Firm. When someone else’s recklessness or negligence leaves you with a serious impairment, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. We handle the insurers and their counsel on your behalf while you focus on healing and rebuilding.
California law gives you a limited time to pursue legal action after a brain injury. In most cases, you must file a claim within two years of the incident. Courts such as the Marin County Superior Court handle these claims according to statewide procedures, and waiting too long can affect your ability to recover damages. The brain injury attorneys at Kuvara Law Firm help you understand the legal process and your responsibilities in San Rafael and nearby communities. We encourage you to ask questions so you can make the best decisions for your recovery and long-term well-being.
Navigating the Legal Process After a Brain Injury in Marin County
Many people in San Rafael wonder what steps to take after a serious brain injury. Start with a thorough assessment from local medical professionals and keep records of all care and expenses. After you receive a clear medical diagnosis, you can learn about your legal options. In Marin County, cases that involve traumatic brain injuries often require careful coordination with physicians, therapists, and legal advisors to create a full record for your claim. Courts in this area review available records and medical data, so gathering accurate information early can matter. Our understanding of local procedures gives you guidance while navigating the system and helps your case move through the steps unique to the region.
What Sets Kuvara Law Firm Apart in Brain Injury Cases?
Our long-standing presence in the San Rafael community—established more than fifty years ago—means we offer a deep understanding of the region’s courts, medical networks, and the needs of local families. We draw on years of relationships with medical professionals and attorneys across Marin County and beyond. Our team approaches every case as if it affected our own family. When you contact us, you reach professionals who listen, communicate clearly, and put your interests first in each decision we make together. Paired with the trusted 1-800-4-INJURY brand, we deliver the kind of care and regional knowledge that clients value when facing the challenges of a traumatic brain injury.
To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a TBI lawyer call to contact us today.
frequently asked questions
brain injuries
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What Is the Statute of Limitations for An Oakland Brain Injury Lawsuit?In most cases, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. If the injury is not discovered immediately, you have one year from the date you realize you’ve been hurt.
You should hire a brain injury lawyer as soon as possible to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover the fair amount that you or your loved one deserve. In this way, your TBI lawyer will have enough time to investigate your accident, secure evidence to support your claim, negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer, or file a lawsuit. Our traumatic brain injury attorneys have a strong track record in and out of the courtroom and will advocate for you from the moment you retain us until your case concludes. -
What Compensation Can I Get for My Traumatic Brain Injury?
In order to determine the type of award you could receive for your brain injury, we would first need to review your case. Then your head injury lawyer would be able to accurately assess its potential value. Damages typically cover losses like:
- Expenses for emergency care, doctor’s visits, surgeries, medications, and other brain injury treatments;
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other types of therapy or rehabilitation bills;
- The wages and benefits you lose due to a brain injury; and
- Non-economic damages related to brain injury include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
When a traumatic brain injury occurs as a result of reckless behavior, another person or organization may be liable for your injuries. You can seek compensation through an insurance claim or a lawsuit. A brain injury often leaves victims in a state of permanent care, changing their lives forever. In such cases, compensation can be substantial.
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Do I Need an Oakland TBI Lawyer?
By their very nature, brain injuries are catastrophic. The simplest skull injury can have devastating consequences. The effects of severe brain trauma may be irreversible or even fatal. However, the insurance company handling your personal injury claim will almost certainly try to avoid paying the compensation you deserve. These companies are like any other business in that they value profitability above all else, and if you attempt to handle your case alone, you’ll almost certainly end up with a lot less money than you need to cope with life after a TBI.
A traumatic brain injury caused by someone else’s wrongful conduct requires experienced brain injury lawyers. An Oakland head injury lawyer at the Kuvara Law Firm will use their experience, medical knowledge, and negotiation skills to obtain a settlement that covers your last losses and anticipated future ones. If necessary, we will take your case to court. We have achieved outstanding results for clients who have suffered paralysis or brain damage due to traumatic accidents.