The Cause and Effect of Blunt Force Head Trauma

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Head trauma is among the most unpredictable injuries you can suffer in an accident. The brain, while widely studied, is still hard to understand when it comes to physical trauma. While some victims may recover without any side effects, others may struggle with their injuries for the rest of their lives. From car accidents and sports injuries to assault, there are many things that cause head trauma.

Learn more about how blunt force head trauma can impact you, and if you’re looking for help with a personal injury claim, it’s time to talk to Reeves & Mestayer. Call us at 1-855-558-2977 to set up a consultation now.

What Causes Blunt Force Head Trauma?

Some of the most common causes of blunt-force head trauma include:

  • Car crashes: Car crashes are the most common cause of blunt force head trauma in the United States. In a crash, a victim may strike their head on the dashboard, on the ground, or on another obstacle.
  • Assault: Assault and other types of violent crime often result in head trauma. Intentional physical assault, burglary, and other criminal activity may leave a victim suffering for the rest of their life.
  • Workplace accidents: Workplace injuries are incredibly common across a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and retail. Workplace accidents may result in objects falling on a victim’s head, crush injuries, and falls.
  • Falls: A fall can easily cause blunt force head trauma and falls from heights are more likely to result in severe head trauma.
  • Sports: Football, wrestling, and other physical sports are a common source of head trauma, especially for minors and professional athletes.

How Head Trauma Can Affect You

Head trauma causes a wide range of injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries at all levels of severity. Traumatic brain injuries vary quite a bit in severity—while a minor TBI may cause nothing more than a headache and go away within a couple of days, a severe traumatic brain injury may leave a victim comatose for the rest of their lives. Traumatic brain injuries can impact every part of the brain’s function, from gross and fine motor skills to communication, emotional regulation, bowel and bladder control, and memory.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

If you’ve suffered an injury and you hit your head, it’s important to seek immediate medical care and watch out for common head trauma symptoms. These symptoms include:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Inability to wake
  • Headache, especially one that worsens with time
  • Dizziness and loss of balance
  • Difficulty speaking (inability to think of words or slurring speech)
  • Fatigue
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Sense of taste that’s “off”
  • Memory issues
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Depression and anxiety

Long-Term Effects of Head Trauma

Those who suffer moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries may have long-term injuries. Outcomes vary widely, and in many cases, outcomes depend on how quickly a patient receives treatment. That’s one reason it’s so important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident—it could give you a better chance at a full recovery.

Those who suffer severe TBIs may be in a comatose state indefinitely or for the rest of their lives. Those with severe TBIs can also suffer:

  • Loss of speech or ability to communicate
  • Inability to stand or walk independently
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control
  • Loss of all previous memories or inability to form new memories
  • Emotional outbursts and significant mood swings
  • Inability to hold items or do other tasks that require fine motor skills

As you may imagine, these injuries severely impact a victim’s quality of life. A serious TBI often leaves a victim unable to work, in need of live-in or around-the-clock care, and in need of ongoing medical care for the rest of their lives. That’s why it’s crucial to go to the doctor right away after an accident and talk to an attorney.

Explore Your Legal Options with Reeves & Mestayer

If you’ve suffered a head injury as a result of another person’s negligence, you may be able to sue them for compensation. We can help—you shouldn’t have to carry the burden of their mistake on your own. Call us at 1-855-558-2977 or send us a message online to set up a time to talk to our team now.

The Connection Between Speeding and Fatal Accidents

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Speeding is a pervasive issue on our roads. It’s so common that you’re less likely to see a car traveling the speed limit than you are to see a speeding car. However, driving too fast comes with consequences. There is a direct link between speeding and traffic fatalities, and the statistics that have come out of this research may make you think twice about hitting the gas pedal.

Have you suffered a car accident because of a speeding driver? You may be entitled to compensation. It’s time to talk to the team at Reeves & Mestayer to learn more. Call us at 1-855-558-2977 to set up a consultation now.

Reckless Driving Costs Lives

It’s no secret that reckless driving causes crashes and traffic fatalities. There’s a reason that you can be ticketed for the vague term of “reckless driving”—it gives officers the freedom to ticket those who are a clear and obvious danger to others on the road. Reckless driving, per the NHTSA, includes:

  • Drunk driving
  • Drugged driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving without a seatbelt
  • Speeding
  • Drowsy driving

While all of these behaviors can have a negative impact on crash and fatality rates, speeding has a particularly strong effect on fatalities.

It’s Not Just About the Speed Limit

When discussing speeding, it’s important to realize that this doesn’t just mean driving above the speed limit. The speed limit is a good starting point, but it assumes clear skies, no wind, and limited traffic. The actual safe speed may be considerably lower if there is inclement weather, heavy traffic, or debris on the road. Speeding refers both to driving above the speed limit and driving the speed limit when you should be driving slower.

How Speeding Contributes to Crashes

The NHTSA released a report based on 2020 statistics, and the numbers are jarring. In 2020, 28% of all fatal crashes were speeding-related. In addition, 13% of injury-causing crashes and 10% of property-damage crashes were caused by speeding. In total, this caused over 11,000 fatalities in 2020 and over 308,000 injuries.

The two groups most likely to be the speeding party in a speeding-related fatal crash were male drivers aged 15 to 20 years and female drivers aged 15-24 years. Another surprising statistic: 32% of the speeding drivers in these crashes did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash, indicating that reckless driving may be a habitual problem with these drivers.

The Inherent Dangers of Speeding

The link between speeding and fatal crashes is clear, but why does speeding cause so many fatalities? There are several reasons that speeding ramps up your risk of a fatal crash:

  • Makes you more likely to lose control of your vehicle
  • Lessens the efficacy of seatbelts and other safety equipment in the vehicle
  • Longer stopping distance when you notice an obstacle in the road
  • Crashes involving speeding have more severe injuries, naturally affecting the rate of fatal injuries
  • Often caused by rushed or distracted driving, further complicating the likelihood of a serious crash

Staying Safe on the Road

Seeing these statistics, it’s clear that one of the easiest ways to keep yourself safe on the road is to drive at a safe speed at all times. Remember, statistics show that speeding only saves you a couple of minutes when it comes to your total travel time. Even if you’re running late, the few minutes you save are not worth the increased risk of a fatal accident.

On top of that, you’ll also want to avoid other drivers who are obviously driving dangerously. When you see other drivers swerving in and out of traffic, braking and accelerating randomly, and changing lanes without a turn signal, leave plenty of space between you and them. In heavy traffic, that may mean dropping back and slowing down until you are no longer near them.

Start Your Claim with Reeves & Mestayer

Have you been injured by a reckless driver? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses. It’s time to talk to the team at Reeves & Mestayer and find out what your options are. Call us at 1-855-558-2977 or send us a message online to set up a consultation right now.

Golf Cart Accidents Can Result in Significant Damages

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Cruising around the course on a golf cart makes a day spent relaxing even more fun. But when you add in courses with no set routes, cavalier drivers, and alcohol, it’s easy to see how golf carts can lead to unnecessary accidents.

If you’ve been injured in a golf cart accident, don’t wait to fight for the compensation you are owed. Call the personal injury attorneys at Reeves & Mestayer at 228-300-2754 to set up a consultation now.

Limited Protection Available in Accidents

Compared to cars, golf carts offer almost no protection to riders. This makes them cheaper to produce and also makes it easier for riders to get in and out frequently as they golf.

Unfortunately, this design feature also increases the risk of injuries—even at low speeds. Most golf carts don’t even have seatbelts, a very basic safety feature that can minimize the risk of serious injuries. On top of that, many golf carts don’t have airbags that would lessen the blow of a collision. Some golf carts aren’t equipped with lights, which can make driving around near dusk particularly risky.

People Underestimate the Risks

When people think about riding in a golf cart, they’re more likely to compare it to go-karting than being in a standard motor vehicle. While it’s true that golf carts move at lower speeds than cars, that doesn’t make them much safer.

When you add in the complete lack of safety features and the fact that drivers aren’t often as cautious in golf carts, the risk of injuries is fairly similar. The same people who would never drink before getting behind the wheel of a car may feel completely comfortable drinking throughout the day as they drive around the course in a golf cart.

What Causes Golf Cart Injuries?

Identifying the cause of a golf cart accident can help victims figure out liability. This makes it much easier to fight for the compensation you deserve. A wide range of factors contribute to these types of accidents in Mississippi.

Operator inexperience is a significant issue. People mistakenly believe that they don’t need training to use a golf cart, due to the low speeds they move at. This means that there are inexperienced, untrained operators causing accidents every day. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to panic when an obstacle appears, make poor decisions, and act impulsively. Similarly, people who would not be comfortable driving a car—people below the age of 16 and impaired people, to name a few—may not think twice about getting behind the wheel of a golf cart.

Another concern is reckless driving. While golf carts do move at lower speeds than cars, they can still hit impressive speeds for their size and power. People fail to take this into account and drive too close to pedestrians.

Types of Damages

A golf cart accident could leave victims with substantial damages. Some common types of damages are listed below:

Medical Expenses

For many people, medical bills are the single biggest expense associated with a golf cart accident. Even minor injuries can get very expensive when you need stitches, multiple check-ups, and diagnostic scans. A fair golf cart accident settlement should fully compensate you for medical bills, as well as any related expenses. This may include tolls, parking fees, co-pays, medications, and adaptive equipment.

Lost Income

Lost income is a sticking point for many accident victims. Not only are they struggling with injuries, but they are also suddenly out of work and unable to support their family. It’s important to push for lost income when negotiating a fair settlement. Whether you are out of work for a few days, weeks, or months, you deserve full compensation for that financial loss.

Non-Economic Damages

While lost income and medical expenses are fairly easy to calculate, they aren’t the only types of damages you may suffer in a golf cart accident. Non-economic damages are a significant part of many settlements. Non-economic damages include anything whose financial value isn’t easily calculated.

For example, pain and suffering: it’s hard to know just how much pain and suffering is worth, but you should receive something for the pain you’ve endured because of your accident. The amount you receive for this depends largely on the severity of your injuries and how much they impact your life.

There are other types of non-economic damages you may be entitled to. For example, if your quality of life suffers as a result of your accident, you may seek compensation for that loss. Perhaps golfing was your one and only hobby, and you spent at least three nights on the course every week. If the accident left you anxious and traumatized every time you approach a golf course, that is a loss that should be compensated.

Knowing how much your accident is worth can be tricky. Talking to an attorney should be your next step.

Get the Help You Need—Call Reeves & Mestayer

If you’re ready to start your golf cart accident claim, the team at Reeves & Mestayer is ready to talk to you about your next steps. Set up a time to talk to our accident lawyers now and find out how we can help. Just call us at 228-374-5151 or send us a message online to schedule your consultation.

Facial Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

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The joy you get from riding your motorcycle is unmatched, but that excitement comes at a price. Riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than being in a passenger vehicle since motorcycles simply don’t have the protection offered by larger, sturdier vehicles. Even if you’re wearing a helmet, there’s a good chance you’ll sustain some facial injuries if you’re involved in an accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle crash, don’t wait any longer to find out if you are entitled to compensation. Call Reeves & Mestayer at 1-855-558-2977 to set up a meeting with our team right now.

Damage to Your Bones

Your face has 14 bones, many of which are fairly small and easy to break in something as traumatizing as a motorcycle accident. A bone break may be minor, simply requiring that you rest and leave the affected area alone until it heals. On the other hand, it can also be incredibly major, collapsing part of your facial structures and completely changing how you look.

You may need surgery or other extensive medical intervention to reset the bones and regain full use of your face. In some cases, these injuries can also affect the functionality of your face. For example, broken bones near the mouth can keep you from eating, drinking, or speaking properly. Broken nasal bones may limit your ability to breathe comfortably. Broken bones near your eyes may limit your vision.

Injuries Affecting Your Skin

Your skin is likely to be severely damaged in a motorcycle accident. Even in the best-case scenario in which a motorcyclist is wearing full leather riding gear, that still leaves the face exposed. If you are thrown off your bike and travel down the road, you’re likely to have significant cuts and abrasions.

Not only can these be painful and unpleasant to look at, but direct contact with the road also puts you at risk of infection. In severe cases, large abrasions may require a skin graft. Victims often experience scarring long after the facial abrasions have fully healed.

Dental Injuries

Dental injuries may be some of the worst facial injuries caused by motorcycle crashes. Not only do damaged or missing teeth significantly change your appearance, but they also heavily affect your ability to go about daily life. Missing or damaged teeth can leave you unable to eat or speak clearly. To make matters worse, dental work can be incredibly expensive in the United States, so the presence of any dental injury can immediately drive up the cost of your accident.

Broken bones aren’t the only type of dental injury resulting from motorcycle accidents. Victims also report damage to the tongue and the inside of the mouth, both of which are highly susceptible to infection. A broken jawbone can take a long time to recover, and in the meantime, it may force you to follow a liquid diet.

What to Do After an Accident

Regardless of whether or not you have any obvious facial injuries, you should seek medical attention immediately after a motorcycle accident. Many severe injuries require immediate diagnosis and treatment if a patient wants to have any chance at a full recovery. This is also true for facial injuries.

For example, if you wait too long to identify a broken bone in your face, the bones may have begun to reset themselves—but they may have reconnected improperly. This can permanently alter your appearance and functionality, or you may even need to have the bone rebroken so it can be reset properly.

The sooner you get to the doctor after an accident, the sooner they can identify injuries and begin treatment. As an added benefit, this also makes it easier to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident, which strengthens your personal injury claim.

Get the Help You Need with Reeves & Mestayer

Looking for assistance with your motorcycle accident claim? It’s time to talk to the team at Reeves & Mestayer. Call us at 1-855-558-2977 or send us a message online. During your consultation, we’ll learn more about your accident, explain your options, and create a plan to fight for the compensation you deserve.