What To Know About Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident

The United States records over five million car accidents annually. That works out to just under fourteen thousand car accidents daily. There is no denying car accidents can be devastating. Unfortunately, they are also one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury.

Even the mildest traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have potentially life-altering consequences.

If you have been in a recent car accident and received a personal injury, you have come to the right place. We give you information on TBIs, how to recognize them, and what you should do after being in a car crash where you sustained a TBI.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury, commonly abbreviated as a TBI, is damage to the brain. It can be caused by jolts or blows to the head. Motorcycle accidents, sports injuries, and assaults are also common causes of TBI.

Treatment for traumatic brain injuries can range from rest and medication to intensive care and life-saving surgery. Even a mild TBI requires assessment by a doctor and can change life as you know it. Unfortunately, you may never get back to life before your traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injuries often include two types of damage—primary and secondary.

The primary injury is the first, direct blow to the head. This can be focused on one brain lobe or include your entire brain. Depending on the severity of the impact, there may also be skull fractures.

After the initial impact and injury, the brain swells. This is considered delayed trauma, also known as secondary injury. During this time, oxygen-rich blood flow—which the brain needs—is reduced.

Traumatic brain injuries are categorized as mild, moderate, or severe.

With a mild TBI, the person is awake, and their eyes are open. With a moderate TBI, the person is lethargic, and the eyes respond only to stimulation. They may be unconscious for anywhere from twenty minutes to six hours.

With a severe TBI, the person may be unconscious for longer than six hours. In addition, their eyes do not open, even with stimulation.

A concussion is the most common type of head injury sustained in car accidents. This is typically a mild traumatic brain injury with no lasting damage. It may or may not cause a brief lack of consciousness.

On the more severe side, car accidents can cause hematomas. This occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and the blood clots. Symptoms vary depending on where the clot is located, and some clots require surgery.

Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident

Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of a traumatic brain injury. However, you can expect to see the following symptoms:

• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion and disorientation
• Memory loss or amnesia surrounding the accident
• Fatigue
• Visual problems
• Headaches
• Sleep disturbances
• Dizziness or trouble balancing
• Poor attention or concentration
• Emotional disturbances or irritability
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Depression

You could also have slurred speech, difficulty moving or using your limbs, and personality changes in severe cases.

It is essential to see a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. However, some of these symptoms do not appear on diagnostic tests. This could lead to an insurance company trying to deny your claim.

There are good odds that many of these symptoms will improve. However, some victims of traumatic brain injuries will never recover from their injuries. Therefore, there is a possibility you could continue to experience any number of these symptoms.

Long-term injury and difficult insurance companies are why you need to hire a competent accident attorney. An auto accident lawyer will campaign for you. They know of solutions you would not even consider.

Hiring an Auto Accident Lawyer

If you have recently sustained a traumatic brain injury, now is the time to be looking at hiring an auto accident lawyer. You are a victim of a terrible accident and need all the help you can get.

Accident attorneys understand this. They know that a TBI can affect your quality of life, financial situation, ability to work, and even relationships with your loved ones. They can help you to get the compensation you deserve and other assistance like recouped wages.

If you or a loved one has been in a car accident for which you are not at fault, you have a legal right to compensation. You deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering and the time you had to take off work to recover.

Do not sign any settlements or waivers on your own after a car accident. Instead, speak with an accident attorney—who has your best interest at heart—before signing anything from your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

It is also essential to choose a lawyer who specializes in auto accidents. Traumatic brain injury lawsuits are challenging to prove, and people do not understand how badly this injury can affect their lives.

Auto accident lawyers will know what to look for as proof and how to make people understand how seriously you have been affected.

Reach Out For a Consult Today

Now that you have learned about traumatic brain injuries and symptoms to look out for after a car accident, it’s important to consider consulting a lawyer if you sustained injuries in a car accident. If you have additional questions or are looking to consult an auto accident lawyer in person don’t hesitate to reach out.

Being in a car crash is scary, and you should not have to figure out what to do next alone. Call Alpha Accident Lawyers for a free consultation today.