A car crash can leave you with serious injuries, some of which can affect you for the rest of your life. One of these is a traumatic brain injury.
The recent statistics on traumatic brain injuries are shocking. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that approximately 190 Americans died from an injury related to a traumatic brain injury every day in 2021.
One of the reasons a traumatic brain injury is so dangerous you might not realize you have one immediately after the accident. Some accident injuries, such as a broken bone, are immediately obvious and therefore treated instantly.
The effects of a brain injury can take weeks, months or even years to develop and become fully known. After your accident, you might know you hurt your head and see a doctor, but you could be diagnosed with a head injury that will ultimately heal.
What makes a traumatic brain injury different?
A traumatic brain injury is different than a simple head injury and it is serious because if affects your brain and changes how it works. A traumatic brain injury is classified as mild, moderate or severe, depending on the situation.
If you sustain a head injury after a car or truck accident, watch for common symptoms of a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury.
Some of these symptoms include a constant headache, nausea, loss of vision, enlargement of the pupil, numbness in your arms or legs, slurred speech and being unable to wake up after sleeping.
You might also start feeling confused or restless for no reason. More serious symptoms include convulsions, seizures or even loss of consciousness.
Know your options after a catastrophic injury
Being diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury means you have a long road ahead of you. In cases of moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries, the effects are often permanent, meaning they can impact almost every area of life.
When your injury was caused by a negligent driver, it is important to know what steps to take to cover your losses.