Most people injured in a car crash don’t understand that a headache or dizziness after the event may be related to a severe head injury. Often times they and even their health care provider relate their symptoms to a neck injury or something that will resolve on its own. Here we explain what a traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) is in order to assist you in answering the question “did I suffer a TBI?” We will also answer the logical question about what to do next.
Nationally the statistics suggest over 50% of all TBI injuries are the result of car crashes and over 225,000 of these victims end up in the hospital for care for their TBI. A TBI encompasses any damage to the brain. This damage can range from mild and go undetected even when diagnostic studies like a CT scan is used all the way to severe with bruising of the brain or even bleeding. The brain is surrounded by fluid and as a result it floats inside the skull. The fluid provides protection to the brain. However, head trauma may cause the brain to move and be injured.
The most common brain injury is concussion. A concussion occurs when the head strikes something, such as the headrest or steering wheel or when the head violently moves back and forth and the brain hits the inside of the head. The nature and extent of symptoms following a head injury vary. Severe trauma can cause an immediate loss of consciousness. Some of the more common signs of TBI include nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, vision changes, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and cognitive difficulties.
In severe cases studies such as a CT scan are used to show the presence of a TBI. Studies like these may show bruising or bleeding of the brain. In milder cases a CT scan may or may not show the microscopic changes to the brain due to trauma. This is when the diagnosis is made based on symptoms, physical examination and the expertise and experience of your physician. Don’t worry, we work with some of the absolute best neurologists in the area so we can help you with that as well.
Recovery is different for everyone. Most victims with mild head injury typically do well over the long term. They may have headaches, dizziness, or memory problems over the short term and these symptoms gradually improve. Those with moderate to severe brain trauma often don’t do as well. A percentage of those people will have some form of disability. It is essential that victims of head injuries seek appropriate treatment.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when they refuse to follow the law. We help with serious issues that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth. We have almost 60 years of experience in our plaintiff’s only law firm. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We Can Help!
