The Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury After a Texas Car Accident
Your brain is one of the most important organs in your body. Without a brain, we do not function. This is why brain injuries are commonly severe and can leave you with lasting effects. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were an estimated 224,000 people who sought medical treatment for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2017. The CDC also states that motor vehicle crashes were one of the leading causes of TBIs that required medical treatment, at around 24.5 percent. If you have experienced a TBI from a car accident, you should speak with a Texas personal injury lawyer to discuss your options for compensation.
What is a TBI?
According to the Mayo Clinic, a traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain hits the walls of the skull. This usually occurs as a result of a blow or other trauma to the head, and motor vehicle crashes remain one of the most common causes of TBIs. Because a TBI is an injury to one of the most important organs in the body, it has a wide range of symptoms that can affect a person both physically and psychologically. Some of the most common symptoms of mild TBIs include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Fatigue and/or dizziness
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a couple of minutes
- Mood changes or swings
- Changes in sleep patterns
Complications and Long Term Effects of TBIs
When a TBI is moderate to severe, symptoms can also increase in severity. These symptoms usually appear within a few days after a vehicle accident, but not always. Signs that a TBI is severe can include:
- Loss of consciousness from a few minutes to a few hours
- A headache that is persistent or worsens
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Seizures
- Dilation of one or both pupils
- Loss of coordination
- Weakness and/or numbness in fingers and/or toes
- Agitation and/or confusion
TBIs can also result in lasting effects that can affect a person’s everyday life. Some of these lasting effects can include:
- A coma, which can last for a few days to a few weeks, or can result in a vegetative state
- Brain death, which means a person has no measurable activity in their brain and is only being kept alive through assistive devices
- Seizures that can last for months, years, or a lifetime
- Infections that can begin in the brain and spread to other parts of the body
- Chronic headaches and/or migraines that can last for months or years
Contact a New Braunfels, TX Car Accident Injury Attorney Today
In some cases, you may not even realize that you have sustained a brain injury until weeks or even months after the accident. If you have been in a car accident and have suffered from any type of injury, you should speak with a skilled New Braunfels, TX car accident injury lawyer. At The Bettersworth Law Firm, we will examine all of the facts pertaining to your case and help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation available. To schedule a free consultation, contact our office today at 830-443-9193.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/TBI-surveillance-report-2016-2017-508.pdf
