Being involved in a car crash can cause many serious injuries, and the deadliest of those are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Data shows that TBIs are one of the primary causes of death and disability in New Mexico and throughout the United States. If you receive a TBI, you can suddenly face large medical bills as well as lost wages. The following is some important information about traumatic brain injuries and their effect on accident victims.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A trauamtic brain injury is caused by sudden trauma like an unexpected blow or jolt to the head. The condition can range from moderate to severe, with the most serious cases requiring additional time to recover. It is no mystery why TBIs are so dangerous a person’s brain plays a central role in everything that person does. While a back or leg injury might lead to long-term pain, a brain injury has the potential to be permanently debilitating.
How Common are TBIs?
TBIs are surprisingly common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that there are approximately 2 million visits to emergency rooms each year for TBI injuries. Additionally, there are approximately 50,000 deaths each year due to TBIs in this country. Motor vehicle accidents are the third most common cause of TBI-related hospital visits.
What are the Types of TBIs?
There are two primary types of head injuries that can result in TBIs. These are:
- Open head injuries. These injuries occur when an object penetrates a person’s skull and enters the brain tissue. Open head injuries demand immediate medical attention and can lead to bleeding or swelling of the brain.
- Closed head injuries. These injuries do not involve blood or visible penetration of the skull, which makes their severity difficult to gauge. Closed head injuries are divided into several sub-categories which include coup-contrecoup, in which a person’s brain slams into one side of the skull, and diffuse axonal, in which the connecting fibers of the brain are sheared.
What Signs Indicate a Traumatic Brain Injury has Occurred?
If a person suffers brain trauma in an accident, the symptoms might appear immediately or they might take weeks to appear. That is why it is critical to receive medical care after an accident, even if you are not sure you are injured at all. If you have a traumatic brain injury, some of the symptoms you are likely to encounter include:
- Blurred vision
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of coordination
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Speech difficulties
How are TBIs Treated?
The treatment options for a TBI depend on its severity. Mild brain injuries are often treated with rest and pain medication, while more severe injuries require more intensive treatment. Some of the treatments that people with severe TBIs require include:
- Anti-seizure medication
- Occupational and physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Surgery
Speak with a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury in any type of accident, the stakes are high. You need competent medical attention right away, and an experienced personal injury attorney at your side to help you pursue the compensation you will need to pay for that treatment. Contact Slate Stern Law today for assistance.