One of the most devastating injuries a victim can suffer in an accident is a traumatic brain injury. While the effects of a brain injury can significantly vary from one person to another, even a mild brain injury can have long-term negative effects on the victim. A mild brain injury, like a concussion, is often referred to as a “silent injury” since there are typically no immediate or obvious symptoms that there is something wrong.
The more severe the injury, the more likely the victim is to suffer symptoms, such as loss of consciousness or coma, but that is not always the case. This is why anytime a person has sustained any type of blow or injury to the head, they should seek medical attention immediately to evaluate if they have sustained an injury to the brain. Doctors can diagnose a brain injury by certain diagnostic tests, such as CAT scans, MRIs, and other brain imaging tests.
Accidents and Brain Injuries
Concussions and other mild brain injuries do not just occur when the victim has hit their head, or they were struck by an object. Even just a large jolt – like what happens when one car crashes into another – can shake the brain enough to cause a concussion. Some of the common types of accidents that the Virginia personal injury attorneys at our firm see in the brain injury cases we have handled include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Sport injuries
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Symptoms of a brain injury can vary, depending on what part of the brain has been injured and the extent of the damage done. If you have sustained a blow to the head or have been in any type of accident where the potential of a brain injury has occurred, it is important to watch for any of the following signs that could indicate a brain injury:
- Balance or coordination issues
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating and focusing
- Difficulty with communication and comprehension
- Disorientation
- Emotional changes
- Headaches
- Memory lapses
- Personality changes
- Sensory difficulties
The above are only some of the possible symptoms a brain injury may cause. Many people with brain injuries have no symptoms at first and by the time there are signs that something is wrong, the situation can be critical, even fatal. This is why anyone involved in an accident – even a minor one – should always seek out medical attention right away for a physical evaluation.
Contact a Virginia Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury due to the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the pain and losses that were a result of that injury. Our Virginia brain injury attorneys have successfully represented many accident victims and their families and would be happy to meet and discuss how our firm may be able to help. We also provide a free traumatic brain injury guide which provides important information about Virginia’s brain injury law and other legal questions regarding pursuing an injury claim. Call Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp today to schedule a free and confidential consultation and find out what your legal options may be.
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