Recognizing When You’ve Suffered a TBI in an Auto Accident
When you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle wreck, one of the most common types of injuries is a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Nearly three million people seek medical attention every year for traumatic brain injury, with the majority of them stemming from motor vehicle accidents.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury involves some type of physical force, either in the form of a bump or blow to the head or a violent shaking of the neck or head, causing the brain to make contact with the inside of the skull. In a motor vehicle accident, a traumatic brain injury may be caused by whiplash, where the sudden impact with another vehicle causes the head to snap forward and back. It may also be caused by impact with a windshield, dashboard, steering wheel, door, other vehicle or roadway.
What Are the Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injury Commonly Suffered in a Car Accident?
There are three different types of traumatic brain injuries that frequently result from auto wrecks:
- Concussions – The mildest form of TBI, concussions typically are not visible on an x-ray or MRI, but can nonetheless have serious consequences if not properly treated
- Contusions – A contusion is a bruising of a body organ. With a contusion, there can often be damage to blood vessels and internal bleeding. A contusion can be minor or severe, and can lead to significant swelling or inflammation, which can pose additional health risks, including a loss of oxygen to the brain.
- Penetrating brain injuries – When some foreign object pierces the skull, there can be direct damage to brain matter. Furthermore, your brain can be exposed to skin, hair and other substances that can greatly increase the risk of infection.
What Are the Typical Signs or Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury can lead to noticeable changes in cognitive, behavioral, emotional, physical and perceptual skills and abilities:
- Cognitive changes include memory loss, challenges verbally expressing yourself, difficulties understanding others, a limited attention span and problems making decisions
- Behavioral and emotional indications of a potential TBI include increased aggression, fatigue or loss of energy, a marked change in emotional range (either more or less emotional), irritability or difficulties handling stress
- The physical symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include headaches that won’t go away, mental or physical fatigue, increased sensitivity to light or sound, loss of consciousness, changes in sleep patterns, paralysis or speech impairment
- Perceptual changes include the loss of sense of smell and/or taste, balance or coordination issues, disorientation, increased sensitivity to pain, and changes in vision, hearing or touch
Contact the Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At the law office of Bailey & Galyen, we know impact that a traumatic brain injury can have on your day-to-day life. If you have been hurt because of the careless or negligent acts of another person, send us an e-mail or call our offices at 844-402-2992. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
