One of the most serious injuries a victim can sustain in an accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Unfortunately, just as with many types of serious injuries, symptoms of a brain injury don’t always show up right away. And by the time they do appear, dangerous complications may already have developed.
A TBI can be caused by any blow to the head and can occur in car, pedestrian, or bike accidents. TBIs can also happen in falls or if the victim is struck by some type of object. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), brain injuries are one of the most frequent types of personal injuries that occur and it is also one of the leading causes of disability and death in this country. Each year, more than three million people in the U.S. sustain some type of brain injury.
LEARN MORE
- What Causes a Traumatic Brain Injury?
- The Most Common Causes of Brain Injuries
- Brain Injury Treatments
- Warning Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury
Types of Brain Injuries
There are several types of serious brain injuries that a victim may suffer from, including:
- Concussion: This happens when the brain bounces against the walls of the skull
- Edema: This is when the brain swells
- Hematoma: This is clotting in the blood vessels surrounding the brain
- Hemorrhage: Any uncontrolled bleeding in the brain
- Skull fracture: Broken bones in the skull can also penetrate brain tissue
Symptoms that May Indicate a Brain Injury
If you have sustained some type of jolt or blow to the head in an accident, there are certain signs to watch for that could indicate something more serious than a bump on the head is taking place. Failure to get immediate medical help when you have a brain injury can result in permanent disabilities and even death. If you have experienced any of the following symptoms, seek medical help immediately:
- Being excessively tired and having trouble staying awake
- Depression
- Difficulty with comprehension and/or memory
- Dizziness and trouble keeping balance
- Fits of rage or frustration
- Increased agitation
- Isolation
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problems remembering the accident
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Slurred speech
- Vision difficulties and pupils dilated to uneven sizes
Contact a Carolinas Injury Attorney
The recovery and rehabilitation for a traumatic brain injury is often a long one. In many cases, the victim is left with lifelong disabilities from the injury. The financial impact can be devastating, with high medical expenses and loss of income from being unable to work. The emotional impact can be even more devastating, with the pain and suffering a victim endures, along with the mental anguish and loss of the ability to do activities and enjoy life the way they did before the injury.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury because of another party’s negligence, contact a seasoned North Carolina brain injury attorney to discuss what legal options you and your family may have.