Every year, countless individuals find their lives dramatically altered due to auto accidents. While some physical injuries are evident, others, like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can remain hidden, only revealing their devastating effects long after the event.
TBIs represent one of the most severe outcomes of vehicular collisions, with victims often grappling with long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. If you or someone you know has faced the aftermath of an auto accident, it’s crucial to understand the potential risks and consequences of sustaining a TBI.
Accidents can be traumatic, but when they result from another driver’s negligence, the sense of injustice can amplify a victim’s pain. At Great West Injury Law, our dedicated team believes in fighting for the rights of those wronged on the road. Whether you’ve suffered a TBI or any injury due to another’s carelessness, our experience ensures you’re not alone in seeking the justice and compensation you deserve. Read on to learn about TBIs in auto accidents, and how we can help.
What Is a TBI?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a result of a sudden, violent jolt or blow to the head, which disrupts the normal function of the brain. These injuries can range in severity from a mild concussion, which might cause temporary confusion or headaches, to more severe forms that can lead to permanent cognitive impairment, coma, or even death.
TBIs can also result from penetrating wounds, where objects pierce the skull and breach the brain tissue. Regardless of the type, the aftermath of a TBI can lead to a host of cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges that can dramatically alter a person’s quality of life.
The risk of TBIs emerges from a variety of factors specific to car accidents. The sheer force involved in vehicular collisions can cause the brain to move violently within the skull, leading to contusions or brain bruising. High-speed crashes, especially, can lead to the head striking hard surfaces like the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows, causing direct trauma. Even in accidents where no direct head impact occurs, the rapid deceleration and acceleration can cause the brain to collide against the inner walls of the skull.
Additionally, debris from shattered glass or metal can lead to penetrating injuries. This unique combination of factors present in auto accidents amplifies the risk, making TBIs a predominant concern in road safety measures.
Types of TBIs and Their Symptoms
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a complex group of injuries with varying degrees of severity and a wide range of symptoms. The specific type of TBI a person sustains in an auto accident can largely determine the kind of symptoms they might experience, the potential treatments required, and the overall prognosis.
While it’s essential to consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis, understanding the basic categories of TBIs can be beneficial for both victims and their loved ones. TBIs can fall into one of a number of categories:
- Concussion: The most common type of TBI, concussions can result from a direct blow to the head or a sudden deceleration of the head. While many think of it as a minor injury, even a mild concussion can have lasting implications.
- Contusion: This refers to a bruise on the brain caused by an impact. It might require surgical intervention if there’s significant swelling.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Caused by strong rotation or shaking of the head, DAI involves the tearing of the brain’s long connecting nerve fibers. It’s a severe injury, often resulting from high-speed accidents.
- Penetrating Injury: As the name suggests, this injury occurs when an object penetrates the skull and damages the brain. In car accidents, it could be due to debris or a severe impact that breaches the skull.
Understanding the type of TBI is the first step. Recognizing the symptoms that accompany them is equally crucial. Following an auto accident, victims might experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or blurred vision. These are often signs of a mild TBI or concussion. More severe injuries might manifest as persistent headaches, seizures, vomiting, weakness in extremities, and profound confusion. Furthermore, TBIs can lead to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes.
Some victims might find it challenging to concentrate, remember recent events, or even control their emotions. Given the wide range of potential symptoms, it’s paramount for accident victims to seek medical attention promptly after any incident, especially if they suspect or have symptoms indicative of a TBI.
Great West Injury Law Can Help
Traumatic brain injuries are life-changing events, with their impacts often felt some time after the accident has occurred. Their unpredictable nature underscores the importance of medical vigilance after any vehicular collision.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident resulting in a TBI, make sure you consult with an experienced lawyer. With a comprehensive understanding of TBIs and how they affect your personal injury claim, our lawyers at Great West Injury Law are standing by to help you on your case.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.