All serious injuries are not equal. Many, over time, will heal. With the right treatment and rehabilitation, you can regain if not all, then most, of your function. Brain injuries are often something that may impact the rest of your life. If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an accident, take it seriously. I can help you deal with insurance companies and make sure you get the fair compensation you need so you and your family can focus on recovery.
TBIs can happen any time there is trauma impacting the body, not just the head. You may think of a TBI being caused by a motorcycle or vehicle accident, but a fall, bicycle, or pedestrian accident may also injure your brain. Any accident causing a direct blow to your head, a strong push or pull on your body, snapping your head back and forth, can cause a concussion and other brain injuries.
The main reason TBIs take a heavy toll is that brain cells, unlike many cells in your body, don’t regenerate. If they are harmed or die due to trauma or blood loss, they won’t come back to normal like a broken bone or another damaged organ. To a degree, function may be partially restored if your brain can “re-wire” and have other parts of the brain take over for the injured area, but that’s not something you can count on.
Some brain injury symptoms aren’t felt immediately, so you may not realize how seriously you’ve been hurt right after your accident. The Mayo Clinic lists these signs of a mild brain injury to watch out for:
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- Feeling dazed, confused or disoriented
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Speech problems
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Blurred vision
- Ringing ears
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Changes in your ability to smell
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Changes in mood or mood swings
- Depression or anxiety
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can show up through any of the symptoms above in plus these additional symptoms, which can appear hours or days after the accident:
- Lost consciousness for several minutes to hours
- Persistent headache or one that gets worse
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
- Clear fluids from the nose or ears
- Being unable to wake up
- Weak or numb fingers or toes
- Lost coordination
- Profound confusion
- Feeling agitated or combative
- Showing unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Coma
The fact you may have suffered a TBI is an important reason to get medical attention as soon as possible after your accident. If it’s not safe for you to drive, take an ambulance to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you feel OK, at the very least, see your physician as soon as you can on your own. Your TBI may be diagnosed before severe symptoms hit and an early start to documenting your injuries could be a big help to your insurance claim or lawsuit.
If you have questions about a brain injury and a personal injury claim, call The Fleck Firm for a free consultation at (270) 446-7000. We’ll talk about the accident, your injuries, the law, and your best options to proceed. Insurance companies have lawyers. You should have one too.
