Every year, millions of people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States. This is an injury that changes the lives of both the person injured and his or her family. Car accidents are a leading cause of TBI. If you, or a loved one, is in a car accident in Texas, you’ll want to contact a car accident lawyer in Houston as soon as possible.
What is TBI?
A TBI occurs after a bump, blow or jolt to the head, disrupting the brain’s normal function. Some people suffer permanent damage with significant effects and others experience less severe symptoms that may or may not disappear with time. The severity of a TBI is separated into three classifications: Mild, Moderate and Severe.
- Mild TBI (mTBI) – Concussions fall into this category, along with minor head or brain injuries. There may be a brief period of unconsciousness.
- Moderate TBI – Defined by a temporary loss of consciousness, usually 20 minutes to six hours.
- Severe TBI – Indicated by a loss of consciousness of more than six hours, or the person is in a coma.
It’s essential for an injured person to receive immediate medical analysis and treatment after a suspected TBI occurs. There is no such thing as “just a concussion”. An untreated mTBI can be serious. This is because the injuries typically are unseen and symptoms can worsen after a few hours or days.
Symptoms of TBI
Just like all brains are different, no two brain injuries are the same. People experience a wide range of symptoms after a TBI occurs. Some of the most common visible symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory loss (temporary or permanent)
- Dizziness, forgetfulness and disorientation
- Nausea
- Fatigue, headaches and light sensitivity
- Vision or auditory problems
- Many other symptoms that weren’t there before
Persons suffering from a TBI also often have behavioral, emotional and cognitive problems. Some may have lower attention spans, difficulty making decisions, are easily confused and/or experience decreased processing of new information. Other signs of TBI include reduced awareness of surroundings, impulsivity with words or actions, and difficulty managing anger or other emotions. It’s important to carefully observe the person who is injured and return to a healthcare expert if new symptoms arise or existing symptoms worsen.
Can victims receive compensation for their injuries sustained in the car accident?
According to the Brain Injury Association of Texas, every year 144,000 Texans sustain a TBI, equating to one every four minutes. Out of these injuries, over 5,700 Texans become permanently disabled. Many of these people injured are harmed through no fault of their own.
When a TBI happens, it is a life-changing event. You want to ensure the person who has been injured receives the best treatment. Immediate and aftercare of a TBI can be costly. If you, or a loved one, acquire a TBI after being in a car accident, it’s important to contact a car accident lawyer in Houston so you can ensure you get the right medical treatment, long-term care and be certain your rights are protected.
Source
http://www.traumaticbraininjury.com/ symptoms-of-tbi/severe-tbi-symptoms/
http://www.brainandspinalcord.org/motor-vehicle-accident/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-normal/201608/auto-accidents-and-brain-trauma
