Car accidents often cause a wide range of severe injuries, especially if the accidents involve a collision of two or more vehicles. One car accident injury that's especially common and that can be very serious is a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Many brain injuries can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated immediately. So, what are the warning signs of a brain injury after a crash? What are common TBI symptoms? And what medical treatments are available for crash victims with brain injuries? Here's what you should know.
How common are brain injuries in crashes?
Motor vehicle accidents are consistently among the top 5 causes of all brain injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Specifically, car accidents cause roughly 14 percent of all traumatic brain injuries. To put such numbers in perspective, roughly 3.5 million people – one person every 9 seconds – sustain a brain injury each year nationwide, according to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), a nationwide organization that sponsors Brain Injury Awareness Month every March. Based on those figures, about 490,000 people sustain a TBI in a car accident every year.
Why are brain injuries so common in car wrecks?
Car accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries through various mechanisms, each influenced by the specifics of the crash:
- Rear-end accidents: In such incidents, occupants may suffer whiplash injuries, characterized by the rapid back-and-forth movement of the head. This motion can strain the neck and potentially lead to brain trauma.
- Head-on collisions: The forceful impact of head-on crashes can propel occupants forward, resulting in blunt force trauma to the head upon collision with the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. This can result in TBIs like concussions or contusions.
- Side-impact collisions: Also known as T-bone or broadside crashes, these accidents subject occupants to lateral forces, causing head and brain injuries from impacts with the vehicle's door, window, or other internal components.
- Rollover accidents: In such scenarios, occupants face a heightened risk of head and brain injuries as they may be ejected from the vehicle or sustain impacts from debris and other objects during the rollover sequence.
Common TBI symptoms
Brain injury symptoms after a car accident can cover a wide range, which is why you should always seek immediate medical attention if something doesn't seem right after a crash. Some of the most common TBI symptoms include:
- Dizziness and poor balance.
- Severe, frequent headaches.
- Ringing noise in ears (tinnitus).
- Sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Difficulty waking up from a deep sleep.
How do doctors diagnose a TBI?
Depending on what type of traumatic brain injury doctors suspect you might have, they will often run certain medical tests, including:
- Imaging tests, such as MRIs, CT Scans, and X-rays.
- Motor tests that measure your ability to speak and move, especially your eye movements.
- Cognitive tests to test your brain skills, including memory and speech skills.
- Blood tests.
Medical treatments for brain injuries
Medical treatments for a brain injury vary widely depending on the type and severity. Such medical treatments can include:
- Emergency medical care, including brain surgery in cases of life-threatening medical conditions such as a brain hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) or a brain hematoma (blood clot in the brain).
- Cognitive therapy or behavioral therapy.
- Physical therapy.
- Prescription medications, such as anti-seizure drugs.
- Overnight observation at a hospital.
- Rest and relax for several days under carefully monitored conditions.
- Follow-up brain surgery.
How can a car accident attorney help?
Brain injury cases can be extremely challenging. A traumatic brain injury can change your life forever, and the financial impact of a TBI can be tremendous. The insurance company for the at-fault driver should compensate you for your losses, but the reality is they only care about one thing – saving money.
That's not right. That's why our law firm is here to help. When you have The Whaley Law Firm on your side, you can rest assured that our dedicated legal team will protect your rights throughout every step of the process. We know how to play hardball with insurance companies, and we promise to fight for every dollar you deserve.
If you or someone you love suffered a head or brain injury in a Louisville crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. Take the first and contact us for a free consultation. Our office is in Louisville, and we offer legal representation to clients throughout Kentucky.