What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Brain Injury Caused by a Car Accident?
Brain injuries are very common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 2.5 million people will be treated in emergency rooms each year for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In 2013, 56,000 people died from TBIs, and 282,000 people were hospitalized for brain injuries. While senior adults over the age of 75 years have the highest rate of TBI-related hospital visits and deaths, anyone can suffer a brain injury.
If you have suffered a TBI in an accident, call (888) 500-5000 for a free consultation with a Fresno brain injury attorney!
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blow to the head or a penetrating injury to the head. However, TBIs can also result when the head is whipped violently back and forth or side to side. TBIs are rated on a scale from mild to severe, but you should not assume that a mild TBI is nothing to be concerned about. Even a mild brain injury can result in permanent damage to the brain. Any injury to the head can result in a TBI. A physician should check people who suffer a head injury or are involved in any accident. Sometimes the symptoms of a TBI take a few hours or days to develop. Without proper treatment, the long-term effects of a brain injury can be substantial.
Causes of TBIs and Brain Injuries
The leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is falling. Slip and fall accidents, falls at work, and falls at home are common causes of TBI. Motor vehicle collisions are another common cause of TBIs. In both cases, there is a high probability that the head will strike a hard object, or the head will be jerked violently during the accident.
Other common causes of TBIs include violent acts, sports, recreational activities, loss of oxygen, chemical exposure, infections, and strokes. If you or a loved one suffers a head injury, you should seek immediate medical attention and look for common signs of a TBI.
Common Symptoms and Effects of Brain Injuries
Many people assume the symptoms of a brain injury go away within a few days. This is true in many cases. However, some people who sustain a brain injury may suffer from long-term symptoms that severely impair their ability to work and return to their normal daily activities.
Common symptoms of a brain injury that can turn into long-term conditions include:
- Headaches and neck pain (the pain can become chronic and debilitating for some victims)
- Memory problems or memory loss
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Loss of smell or taste
- Sleeping problems, including sleeping too much and insomnia
- Becoming confused and having trouble focusing and concentrating
- Mood swings and severe depression, including suicidal thoughts
- Anxiety or aggression
- Problems with speech or reading
- Seizures
Any of the above symptoms can persist and become chronic. When this occurs, the person may be unable to return to work or perform tasks necessary to take care of their personal needs or the needs of their family members. If this continues, a physician may diagnose a permanent disability. The victim may be entitled to seek compensation for future lost wages, medical expenses, physician pain, and emotional suffering because of the permanent impairment.
Call a Fresno Brain Injury Attorney for Help
If you are injured in a Fresno or Central California Valley accident, we urge you to seek medical attention. When you are stable, we also urge you to contact our office to discuss your case with an experienced Fresno personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to receive substantial compensation from the party who caused your injury.
Contact Torem & Associates by telephone at (888) 500-5000 or online by using the contact form on our website.
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