Every March, Brain Injury Awareness Month shines a light on the reality that a single moment can change a life forever. For pedestrians, brain injuries are often the result of sudden, violent impacts from being hit by a car, falling on a sidewalk, or colliding with a fast-moving bicyclist. These injuries don’t just heal with time; they can lead to lifelong challenges. They also require ongoing medical care, therapy, and emotional support.
Understanding what pedestrians with brain injuries go through helps create a society that advocates for their needs, pushes for better safety measures, and ensures that those affected get the care they deserve. If you or a loved one suffered a severe brain injury after being hit by a car, an experienced NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Common brain injuries suffered in pedestrian accidents
Pedestrians don’t have the protection of seat belts, airbags, or helmets, which makes them especially vulnerable to brain injuries when involved in traffic accidents. The type of brain injury depends on the force and angle of impact, but some of the most common include:
- Concussions: Even a mild TBI can result in memory loss, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
- Contusions: These bruises on the brain can cause swelling and require surgical intervention.
- Diffuse axonal injuries (DAI): A rapid movement or shaking of the brain inside the skull can tear nerve fibers, which leads to severe and sometimes irreversible damage.
- Penetrating injuries: Debris or shattered bone can pierce the skull, which causes direct harm to brain tissue.
Each of these injuries has its challenges, but they all share one thing: they can permanently alter a person’s ability to function, requiring lifelong medical attention and rehabilitation.
What are the short- and long-term effects of brain injuries?
A brain injury doesn’t just happen in an instant; it unfolds over time. Sometimes, it reveals new complications months or even years later.
Immediate symptoms often include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Disorientation and confusion
- Severe headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
Long-term effects may develop slowly and go unnoticed until they start disrupting daily life:
- Chronic pain: Persistent headaches and migraines can make even simple tasks unbearable.
- Cognitive struggles: Difficulty focusing, short-term memory loss, and slower processing speed affect work, relationships, and independence.
- Emotional instability: Depression, mood swings, and anxiety often accompany brain injuries, sometimes making it difficult for survivors to recognize their own personality changes.
- Physical impairments: Loss of coordination, tremors, and balance issues can make walking or even standing a challenge.
How does rehabilitation help brain injury survivors after a pedestrian accident?
Rehabilitation isn’t just about recovery; it’s about adaptation. Many brain injury survivors must learn to function in new ways and rely on therapy and medical intervention to regain independence. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Recovery can take years, and for some, it’s a lifelong process of managing symptoms and adapting to new limitations. The most effective rehabilitation programs include:
- Physical therapy: This helps rebuild muscle strength, coordination, and balance.
- Occupational therapy: This helps teach patients how to handle daily tasks, from getting dressed to cooking a meal.
- Speech therapy: When speech is affected, this aids in regaining communication skills and addressing swallowing difficulties.
- Psychological support: This type of treatment provides counseling for depression, anxiety, and post-injury trauma.
What are the long-term effects of pedestrian accident TBIs?
A pedestrian accident TBI isn’t just a temporary setback; it’s a permanent reality that affects every aspect of your life. Lifelong care becomes necessary when:
- Cognitive impairments make it difficult to process information, make decisions, or remember important details.
- Behavioral changes lead to emotional outbursts, personality shifts, or aggressive tendencies that require professional intervention.
- Physical limitations prevent movement without assistance, leading to a reliance on caregivers.
- Financial instability leaves survivors unable to work, making them dependent on disability benefits, family support, or government assistance.
What financial challenges do brain injury survivors face?
The costs associated with a traumatic brain injury can be staggering. From hospital bills to ongoing therapy, the financial strain often lasts long after your pedestrian accident. For many survivors, insurance doesn’t cover all costs, which leaves families struggling with mounting debt. Legal action may be an option if the injury was caused by a negligent driver, defective infrastructure, or unsafe pedestrian conditions. Common expenses include:
- Emergency medical care such as ambulance transport, surgeries, and hospital stays.
- Rehabilitation services including therapy sessions for mobility, speech, and cognitive function.
- Prescription drugs for pain management, mood stabilization, and neurological support.
- Home modifications such as wheelchair ramps, adaptive equipment, and safety modifications.
- Long-term care such as nursing home facilities, in-home caregivers, or specialized treatment centers.
How a Bronx pedestrian accident lawyer can help after a brain injury
A serious brain injury from a pedestrian accident can result in pain, stress, and uncertainty about what comes next. While you focus on healing, the insurance companies are already working to reduce or deny your brain injury claim. That’s where the Bronx pedestrian accident lawyers at Giampa Law come in.
With decades of experience representing injured pedestrians in the Bronx and across New York City, we know how to stand up to insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve. From medical expenses and lost wages to long-term care and rehabilitation, we make sure you aren’t left paying for someone else’s mistake.
Our dedicated pedestrian accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case. We’ve won millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including a $1.5 million verdict for a pedestrian who was hit by a car while crossing the street.
The sooner you act, the stronger your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you, whether at home, in the hospital, or wherever is most convenient for you.
“Giampa Law was incredible throughout the process of my case. They helped me win a settlement that has significantly impacted my life. Thank you, Zach!” – T.B., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐