Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are usually caused by a sudden and violent jolt or blow to the head, common during an auto collision.
According to a recent report released by the New York Department of Health, approximately 400 people suffer a traumatic brain injury every day in New York. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are usually caused by a sudden and violent jolt or blow to the head, common during an auto collision.
Let’s discuss traumatic brain injuries in car accidents, and look at the type of accidents that can cause TBIs, symptoms of TBIs, and more.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
As the name suggests, a TBI, also referred to as head injury, intracranial injury, or acquired brain injury, is an injury to the brain caused by a sudden, external force (usually a blow, bump, or jolt).
Car accident-induced TBIs generally occur when the car accident’s impact causes the brain to collide with the hard and rough inner side of your skull.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI symptoms can be classified into
1. Mild traumatic brain injury symptoms, which often include:
- Vomiting or nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Difficulty with speech
- Blurred vision
- Increased sensitivity to sound or light
2. Moderate to severe symptoms:
- Convulsions
- Water like fluid coming from nose or ears
- Dilated pupils
- Increased vomiting or nausea
- Coma
- Slurred speech
- Numb toes and fingers
TBI can also affect your cognitive ability. As a result, you may experience:
- Reduced concentration
- Problem with multitasking
- Loss of memory
- Depression or anxiety
- Disorientation or confusion
What to do if You’ve Suffered a Brain Injury in a Car Accident
Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect you may have incurred a brain injury after an accident. While you may feel okay, the symptoms of a brain injury may not show up right away and could even take hours or days to appear.
A doctor can pinpoint signs of TBI and conduct Computerized Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These tests will allow your doctor to treat the TBI before it becomes worse. Also, armed with the doctor’s report, you’ll be able to pursue your accident claim.
Pursuing Compensation
After suffering a TBI, you may have to undergo extensive medical care that may require surgery, prolonged hospital stays, and numerous therapies, which can drain your finances and affect your ability to work.
You will need to file an accident claim to recover your losses. Unfortunately, this is not always easy. The insurer will likely try to find reasons to devalue or reject your injury claim. It is, therefore, important to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney to help protect your rights and ensure you get fair compensation.
We Are Here to Help
At Apicella & Schlesinger, we understand all the tricks the insurance company may pull to deny or devalue your claim. We have over 45 years of helping accident victims and can help you too. Contact us today for a free case review.
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