Few injuries are as devastating as a Traumatic Brain Injury. For most car accident victims suffering a head injury, full recovery occurs in the months that follow. But for many, the cognitive and related effects of this injury prove permanent.
Closed and Open Head Injuries
Car accident victims may experience either closed or open head injuries or both. In a closed head injury (“mild”), the trauma did not cause the skull to open. However, the blow did cause the brain to jostle inside the skull, resulting in the alteration of brain function via bruising or nerve damage on the brain. Many times this injury goes undetected by the victim and emergency personnel.
An open head injury (“moderate-severe”), means the skull is exposed, and an item – such as a piece of bone -may have entered the brain. Skull fractures are examples of common open head injuries occurring in car accidents. Generally, this injury damages a specific part of the brain.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in severe and minor car accidents; as well as in falls. Mild TBI symptoms may not appear until hours or days after the accident, so it is crucial to go to the hospital or at least visit a doctor if you begin to feel the symptoms of a head injury. A mild TBI is better known as a concussion. However, the term “mild” is misleading when defining brain injuries. In fact, many “mild” traumatic brain injuries result in severe and permanent impairment:
- Visual issues
- Headache
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Personality changes
- Sleep problems
- memory loss.
- Difficulty working
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
- Word finding difficulties
- Forgetfulness
As you can see, someone suffering from the symptoms listed above becomes a different person who struggles to function in everyday life. The injury is a devastating blow to who they once were.
The term “Serious” TBI refers to trauma that is usually apparent at the scene of the accident. They include:
- Amnesia
- Unconsciousness
- Paralysis
- Inability to speak or understand words
- Vision and/or hearing loss
- Seizures.
Rehabilitation and Therapy
Treating a severe TBI involves initial stabilization in a hospital’s trauma care unit. Patients usually require surgery and round-the-clock attention. If the prognosis permits, the patient is later transferred to a rehabilitative center and learns to repair lost functioning. The level of recovery depends on the severity of the individual’s injury, along with other factors, including overall health. The very young and the very old generally have the worst prognosis for TBI recovery. Even patients who recover sufficiently to return home and resume many daily activities may no longer have the ability to perform the work they did prior to the accident.
Contact an Attorney
If you or a loved suffered head injuries in a motor vehicle accident, you need legal advice and the services of a good attorney. Call the Bonneau Law Firm at (972) 325-1100 or email Hunt directly at [email protected]. You’ll receive a free consultation and we’ll let you know your options going forward.