A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by impact to the head or a penetrating injury that interrupts normal brain function. These injuries are a common result of car accidents, but many people walk away from the scene not knowing that they are affected. This means that TBI is often under-diagnosed, especially in its early stages.
(Pixabay / geralt)
These questions should be asked immediately of anyone who has been involved in a car accident.
- Did they hit their head during the accident?
- Did they lose consciousness during or shortly after the accident?
- Are they unable to remember the details of the accident?
- Did they feel dazed, confused or nauseated in the hours after the accident?
If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions in the wake of a car accident, you should get specialized neurological care as soon as possible. It’s common for people to downplay their TBI injuries because they may not seem bad at first. Unfortunately, TBI is often a degenerative condition that worsens over time—some people won’t see its effects until several months after their car accident.
Symptoms
You have probably heard of a mild traumatic brain injury referred to as a concussion, but there are far more serious cases of TBI. Here’s a closer look at the spectrum of symptoms. Note that the more cumulative symptoms you are experiencing, the more likely you are to be suffering from severe TBI:
- Loss of consciousness (may last multiple hours in severe cases)
- Becoming dazed and disoriented after head trauma
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty remembering or focusing
- Mood swings, depression, anxiety
- Difficulty speaking
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Seizures
- Unexplained pupil dilation
- Loss of sensation or weakness in fingers and toes
- Slurred speech
Remember to get your symptoms checked out immediately. You may be tempted to talk yourself out of visiting the doctor or emergency room, but it’s better to err on the safe side. Even if your symptoms are mild, they could worsen over time. A physician can perform the appropriate tests and give an accurate diagnosis. They can also check to see if there is swelling or bleeding in the brain, which can lead to dire problems.
Should I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If your traumatic brain injury happened due to the negligence of others, you might be able to file a personal injury claim to recover damages. If you are trying to heal from a TBI, the last thing you need is to be burdened by financial troubles from doctors’ bills, missed work, or loss of potential wages. A personal injury claim can help you recover the financial losses that you have suffered due to your injury.
Sadly, the insurance company of the defendant will do all in their power to pay out as little as possible. Before you file, call a professional and experienced traumatic brain injury attorney. They can stand up to the opposing insurance company, fight for your rights, and secure the maximum compensation available.
Most accident injury lawyers do not require you to pay anything unless you win your case, so you do not have to worry about going into debt to get an attorney on your side. They can do the heavy lifting in your personal injury case—freeing you up to focus on the most important things—healing and moving forward productively.