How Common Are Traumatic Brain Injuries After Car Crashes?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a type of injury that can occur when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, such as in a car crash. Because, unfortunately, a TBI is a pretty common injury in car crashes, it’s important to be familiar with the symptoms and the steps you can take to heal properly if you ever find yourself in a situation like this, and it’s important to know how to seek compensation for what you’re going through.
1. Statistics
To start off, there are over 50 thousand car crashes every year. This number is staggering on its own, but when you add to that the fact that a car crash is the second leading cause of TBIs, you can see that this is a problem that deserves attention. To be more precise, car crashes make up for 17.3% of TBIs on a yearly basis, right after falls that cause 35% of TBIs. Of course, not all of these injuries are the same. Of course, the statistics will somewhat change depending on the area, since factors like the vehicles driven and the speed limits contribute to the types of injuries suffered. However, some common types of traumatic brain injuries caused by car accidents in California, for example, include concussions, hematomas, penetration injuries, shear injuries, as well as coup-contrecoup injuries. As you can see, TBIs can range from a mild concussion all the way to death, so it’s important to know what to do if you or someone you know experiences a TBI after a car crash.
2. Symptoms And Consequences
The symptoms of a TBI can vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. That said, some common symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, difficulty speaking, difficulty understanding others, changes in mood or behavior, problems with memory or concentration, and loss of consciousness. If you experience any of these symptoms after a car crash, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. As for the consequences – they can be long-term or short-term. Short-term brain injury consequences are usually related to those injuries that aren’t as life-threatening, such as a concussion, but that doesn’t mean that the consequences are mild. These consequences can last for a few days or up to a week and might include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, changes in mood or behavior, difficulty speaking or understanding others, problems with memory or concentration, and loss of consciousness. As for the long-term consequences of a TBI – they can be pretty severe. Some common long-term consequences include decreased intellectual functioning, changes in personality, seizures, and increased risk for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
3. Treatment
The treatment for a TBI will also vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. However, some common TBI treatments include medication for pain and nausea, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and brain stimulation. If you are seeking compensation for a TBI, it’s important to keep in mind that not all treatments will be covered. This is why it’s important to have a good lawyer by your side who can help you get the compensation you deserve. For mild TBIs the treatment is mostly conservative, meaning that it’s mostly non-surgical and outpatient. However, for moderate to severe TBIs the treatment is more likely to involve surgery and might require a stay in a hospital or rehabilitation center.
4. Compensation
If you or someone you know has suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a car crash, you might be wondering how to get compensation for the injury. The good news is that there are a few ways to do this. The most common way to seek compensation is through a personal injury lawsuit. In order to win a personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove that the other driver was negligent and that this negligence caused your injury. You might also be able to seek compensation through your car insurance policy. However, it’s important to note that not all treatments will be covered by insurance, so it’s important to have a good lawyer by your side who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
5. Recovery
The recovery process for a traumatic brain injury can be long and difficult. It might take weeks, months, or even years for the person to make a full recovery. That said, with the right treatment and support, most people do make a full recovery. In order to speed up the healing process, it’s important to follow the doctor’s orders and to take any medication prescribed. It’s also important to take it easy and not to push yourself too hard. It might be helpful to have a support system in place, whether that be friends, family, or a support group for people with TBIs.
Traumatic brain injuries are unfortunately pretty common after a car crash. If you or someone you know has suffered a TBI, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible and to follow the doctor’s orders. The consequences of a TBI can be long-term or short-term, so it’s important to understand what the symptoms look like and the steps you can take in order to fully heal and get your life back to normal.
