Car accident victims are at risk of getting a traumatic brain injury
A person who is involved in a car accident may suffer from a traumatic brain injury and may want to seek established legal representation.
From minor fender benders to catastrophic collisions, motor vehicle accidents have the potential to cause a substantial amount of damage. Victims of car accidents may suffer from broken bones, spinal cord damage and even paralysis. Traumatic brain injury is one of the most common injuries associated with auto accidents in Seattle and across the country. The sudden jolt of two vehicles colliding can result in mild, moderate or severe brain injuries to unsuspecting motorists.
Brain injury facts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named traumatic brain injury as one of the leading causes of disability and death in the nation. Car accidents were the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury deaths and the third leading cause of TBI injuries in the U.S. Approximately 138 people pass away every day from complications of TBI.
Traumatic brain injury: Defined
The impact of a car accident can cause a person’s head to hit against a hard surface, such as the window, dashboard or the back of the seat. In some cases, the person’s head doesn’t need to strike a hard object at all, but rather whip back and forth. The force of the collision may cause the soft tissue of the brain to strike the hard bone of the inner skull. Primary damage to the brain includes bleeding, bruising, blood clots and skull fractures, as reported by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. However, the injuries do not stop there. During the time following the accident, secondary injuries can occur as the brain continues to swell, creating pressure within the skull cavity. In some cases, physicians may have to drill a hole into the patient’s skull cavity in order to release the building pressure.
Symptoms and signs
Traumatic brain injury can be extremely difficult to diagnose, as many of the symptoms are shared with other conditions. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, people who suffer from mild brain injuries may experience confusion, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and blurred vision. Mild TBI may also cause people to develop abnormal sleeping patterns and have trouble concentrating.
People who have moderate to severe TBI may have seizures, repeated nausea and vomiting, slurred speech, increased confusion and weakness in their extremities. Although the symptoms of mild TBI are less extensive than those of moderate to severe cases of brain injury, mild TBI can lead to permanent cognitive damage if left untreated.
Finding legal counsel may help
When people suffer from traumatic brain injury or other debilitating conditions because of another driver’s negligence, the results can be devastating. An attorney who knows how to handle motor vehicle accident cases in Washington may be able to provide strong legal counsel to injured victims.
Keywords: car, accident, TBI, brain, injury