In many instances, a brain or head injury results from a motor vehicle accident. These types of injuries can also be caused by a variety of other accidents, like falls, sports-related accidents, boating mishaps, accidental shootings, and ATV, snowmobile, and bicycle accidents.

The brain serves as the control center for a variety of conscious activities, such as talking and walking, as well as unconscious body activities, like breathing and heart rate. A brain injury can disrupt some or all body activities. Depending on the severity of the injury, the effects can be devastating.

A brain injury can result from a fracture or a penetration of the skull. Damage to the brain may occur at the time the head impacts a hard surface. It may also occur later because of swelling and bleeding into the brain or bleeding around the brain.

Traumatic brain injury can also result from a "closed head injury." In such a case, there is no penetration of the skull. Often times, there are no obvious signs of external damage. A closed head injury often occurs when there is a rapid acceleration or deceleration of the head, like in the case of shaken baby syndrome or during the snapping of the head and neck during a car accident. Closed head injuries usually result in more widespread damage to the brain and, therefore, cause more extensive neurological defects.

Possible effects of traumatic brain injury include:

• Coma. A person is considered "comatose" when he or she remains unconscious for a long period of time. The longer a person is comatose, the more severe the traumatic brain injury.

You need not be in a coma to suffer a traumatic brain injury. Symptoms that may seem minor may be indicative of a serious problem. You can be conscious and have suffered a brain injury. In such a case, you may exhibit one or more of the following effects:

If you or someone you know hits their head in an accident and exhibits any of the above symptoms or any other unusual behavior, a traumatic brain injury may have been suffered. Even if you remotely suspect a brain or head injury, you should immediately go to an emergency room or see another health-care professional.

There is a great deal of misconception about brain and head injuries. Often times, the person who suffered a traumatic head injury will not even strike their head. There will only be a brief loss of consciousness, or even no loss of consciousness.  Commonly perceived diagnostic studies like CT Scans, EEG's and MRI's taken of the brain will be negative. There will be a delay of several days or even weeks before effects become known. There is a wealth of highly regarded medical literature to confirm these facts, but only a firm experienced in handling traumatic brain injury cases will understand and have access to that information.

At the Law Offices of Anthony J. Murgatroyd in Flemington, we have that experience. Our attorney and staff take the time to thoroughly understand our clients' situations and how the brain injury they, or a loved one, have sustained has changed their lives. We then examine all aspects of the case in order to begin the pursuit of compensation for the losses they have suffered. Contact us at 908-788-7011 to schedule your free initial consultation. We can make arrangements to travel to you in the event your injuries prevent you from visiting our office.