People injured in car accidents, or other kinds of accidents, such as a fall, can sustain a traumatic brain injury, with or without striking the head, due to shaking of the head, such as what happens during a "whiplash-type" injury. These types of brain injuries, known as TBI, or MTBI, (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury) are caused by damage to specialized nerve cells in the brain) that occurs when the brain moves inside the skull, or even strikes the inside of the skull. This type of brain shaking is also called a concussion.

A concussion, sometimes referred to as a closed head injury or a mild traumatic brain injury, can occur without any loss of consciousness. A person with this type of mild brain injury can have a period of feeling dazed or disoriented, or a loss of memory about events right before or after an accident. Other symptoms include mood changes, sleeping problems, headache, changes in vision or hearing, slurred speech, or difficulty finding words when speaking. A MTBI can also cause cognitive problems affecting memory, the ability to think clearly, concentration, or understanding what people are saying. Many people suffering from a MTBI also develop personality and behavioral changes, becoming irritable, angry, depressed, or argumentative. Often, CT scans and MRIs do not show any damage, and are read as "normal," so this type of brain injury often goes undiagnosed.

It is reported that approximately 75% of brain injuries are MTBIs. Fortunately, about 90% of MTBI injuries resolve within a few months, with a complete recovery. Thus for a person who has MTBI symptoms after an accident, it is important not only to do the necessary testing, but also to wait to see if there will be any residual problems before trying to draw a conclusion about the value of the injury claim.

At Callaway & Wolf, we have represented many clients in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area in California who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. A battery of tests performed by a neuropsychologist is a key way to prove this type of injury. We guide our clients to excellent neuropsychologists for evaluation. This evaluation facilitates proper diagnosis, and gives us the evidence we need to prove that the injury has occurred.

If you or someone you know has sustained a brain injury in a California accident, click here for a free consultation or call 1-415-541-0300 to speak to a California brain injury lawyer in San Francisco at Callaway & Wolf.