What Are The Symptoms of TBI In a Car Accident?
Thousands of people sustain serious injuries every year in car accidents in Florida. In many cases, crash victims suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Head and brain injuries can have a devastating impact on victims and their loved ones. As such, it's crucial for brain injury victims to have a clear understanding of their legal rights so they can pursue the compensation they deserve.
So, how do you know if you have a TBI after a car accident? What are the warning signs and symptoms? What legal options are available? The car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Brent Miller, P.A. in Central Florida explain what you should know.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury is a type of head injury that results in damage to the brain. Many TBIs are caused by a blow to the head or someone’s head being jolted or quickly thrown forward, like what happens in some car accidents.
Types of traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are often classified in two different ways – how the brain injury occurred and the severity of the brain injury.
There are two main types of TBIs:
- Closed brain injury – This is a type of injury in which the brain is injured without the skull being broken. For example, someone’s brain might be injured due to being violently shaken and hitting the inside of the skull.
- Penetrating brain injury – This type of TBI involves an object penetrating the skull and injuring the brain. In a car accident, this can be any sharp object, such as a piece of metal or glass, that pierces the skull and injures the brain.
As for the severity of a TBI, the three main classifications include:
- Mild TBI – The least severe type of brain injury, a mild TBI often involves no loss of consciousness at the time of the accident. Mild TBIs often only involve temporary brain damage. The most common mild TBI is a concussion.
- Moderate TBI – This type of TBI involves a loss of consciousness for a few minutes or hours, amnesia that lasts up to a week, and possible long-term or permanent brain damage.
- Severe TBI – The most extreme type of brain injury, a severe TBI involves loss of consciousness for at least 24 hours, amnesia that lasts more than 7 days, and potentially permanent brain damage.
How common are TBIs caused by car accidents?
Among the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries are car accidents. In particular, car accidents are the second-leading cause of fatal TBIs, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Another study found that car accidents cause 14 percent of TBIs. To put such numbers in perspective, roughly 1.5 million people sustain a TBI each year nationwide. Of those people, 230,000 need to be hospitalized, according to the CDC. Based on those numbers, about 210,000 people in the U.S. sustain a TBI as a result of a car accident every year.
What are the warning signs of a TBI?
If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, don't ignore them, as they could indicate a brain injury that requires immediate medical attention:
- Frequent headaches.
- Dizziness and loss of balance.
- Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly.
- Sudden, unexplained mood changes.
- Blurred vision.
- Ringing noise in ears.
- Vomiting or nausea.
- Slurred speech.
- Difficulty waking up from sleep.
What should I do if I suspect I have a TBI?
If you believe you sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident, you need to act fast to protect your health and your legal rights:
- See a doctor right away.
- Take your doctor’s advice and do exactly what they say.
- Keep a record of how you feel after your accident. Write down any symptoms you experienced, when you experienced them, and how long they lasted.
- Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor so they can carefully monitor your progress.
- Contact a car accident lawyer to review your legal rights and options.
How can a car accident attorney help?
Car accidents that result in brain injuries can quickly become complicated legal cases. That's because the stakes are often high in brain injury claims, and the insurance companies know it.
At the Law Offices of Brent Miller, P.A. in Central Florida, we know what’s at stake. That’s why we want to help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. With our attorneys on your side, you don't have to face the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury alone.
Put over 75 years of legal experience in your corner. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation. Our offices are in Tavares, Inverness, Clermont, and The Villages.
