What to Know About Brain Injuries from Car Accidents
Brain injuries from car accidents can happen in several different ways. Some are caused when people suffer traumatic blows to the head when they come into contact with the dashboard, steering wheel, doors, windows, or flying debris during a car accident. However, traumatic brain injuries can also occur when people do not suffer blows to the head by an object. During a collision, a person’s head can be jolted forward and backward, and the violent back-and-forth movement can cause the brain to slosh around the inside of the skull and contact the bone. This forceful movement can cause brain damage, especially if the brain strikes the bones of the skull.
Traumatic brain injuries can be open or closed injuries. Open brain injuries are characterized by a break in the skull, such as a penetrating wound from an object. Closed brain injuries are characterized by nonpenetrating damage to the brain that does not break the skull.
Signs of a TBI
Since it isn’t always easy to spot signs that someone has suffered a brain injury after a car accident, it’s important for you to recognize the signs that someone might have suffered a TBI. Some of the common symptoms of traumatic brain injuries you should watch for include the following:
- Confusion
- Irritability and mood changes
- Drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Balance and coordination problems
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus
- Seizures
Since traumatic brain injuries can range in severity, people who suffer them might not show all of the symptoms listed above. But whenever a TBI is suspected, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention to prevent damage from spreading.
Delayed Onset of Brain Injury Symptoms
Brain injuries might not show immediate symptoms following a car accident. Instead, the symptoms might not appear for days or weeks following a crash. Because of the potential impact of a brain injury on your life, it is important to get checked out by a doctor any time you are involved in a car accident. Promptly seeing a doctor can help to ensure that you are properly diagnosed and receive the treatment you need to prevent your injuries from worsening. Getting prompt medical attention can also help to preserve your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and resulting losses by showing that your TBI was caused by your accident instead of an intervening event.
Treatment for Brain Injuries
The treatment you might receive for a traumatic brain injury will depend on its severity and nature and your overall health. If your injury is mild, your doctor might prescribe rest and over-the-counter pain medications for headaches. You might need to be closely monitored for worsening symptoms and return to the doctor for follow-up appointments.
If your injury is moderate to severe, you might receive some of the following treatments:
- Diuretics to prevent the buildup of fluid in the brain
- Anti-seizure medications to prevent seizures
- Coma-inducing medications
- Surgery to remove blood clots
- Surgery to repair skull fractures
- Shunts to relieve pressure and prevent further damage
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Speech-language therapy
Consult an Experienced Injury Lawyer
If you were involved in a car crash and subsequently diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, you should consult an attorney at Ellis & Associates to learn about the legal remedies that might be available. Brain injuries can require extensive treatment and can have a permanent effect on your life. Call us today for a free consultation at 800-MR-ELLIS.
P.S. You may be interested in our blog post How to Secure SSDI for a Traumatic Brain Injury.