When a car crash injures your brain

If you become the victim of a Colorado car accident, a traumatic brain injury is one of the most catastrophic injuries you could suffer. Major car crashes involve high impacts, and if that forceful impact causes your head and/or neck to violently jerk forward and backward, your brain will likewise move violently inside your skull. The result can be a brain malfunction or dysfunction called a traumatic brain injury.

Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that car crashes cause over 286,000 TBIs each year.

TBI symptoms

One of the major problems with a TBI is that no two are alike. In addition, the seriousness of a TBI can range from mild to severe depending on exactly what part of your brain you injure and the extent of that injury. Consequently, you should always request and receive emergency medical assistance any time you suffer a head injury, even if you think you sustained only an inconsequential bump to your head.

Your TBI symptoms may or may not appear right after your accident. Therefore you should be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms that appear during the month following your head injury:

• Light sensitivity or blurry or double vision
• Sound sensitivity or ringing in your ears
• Frequent headaches, nausea and/or vomiting
• Dizziness and/or problems with your balance
• Confusion, disorientation and/or inability to think clearly
• Sudden mood swings or feelings of fear, anxiety or depression

In addition, if you start feeling more irritable, hostile or argumentative than usual, these personality changes also are TBI red flags.

Extraordinary medical costs

If you do indeed suffer a TBI as a result of your car crash, your medical costs can quickly skyrocket. Depending on its seriousness, you could face any or all of the following:

• Extensive hospitalization
• Surgery
• Prescription medications
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Long-term nursing and assisted living care

You likely will also face substantial time away from work, thereby losing your income at precisely the time you need it most. Bringing suit against the negligent driver who caused your injuries may be your only option for recovering the overwhelming costs often associated with a traumatic brain injury.

Category:

• Car Accidents