Car wrecks and other incidents can cause significant injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. These can range from mild concussions to more significant life-threatening brain damage.
There are several factors of traumatic brain injuries that people who have been involved in a wreck may be interested in knowing.
1. Symptoms might not show up right away
Brain injury symptoms can take days to weeks to appear, based on the type of injury and where it’s located. Persistent head pain, vision changes, inability to concentrate, trouble with communication and altered sleep patterns are some signs that there’s something amiss. Any of those signs are good indicators that medical care is necessary.
2. A direct hit isn’t necessary
One misconception is that a brain injury can only occur if there’s a hit to the head. It’s possible to suffer a TBI just from the head flings around. This is because the brain can slam into the skull as the head quickly changes direction.
3. Multiple TBIs can lead to other conditions
People who suffer more than one traumatic brain injury, even if they’re mild, can suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This is a fatal condition that can’t be diagnosed until the brain is examined during an autopsy. It can cause significant problems, such as changes in behavior, extreme impulsiveness, thoughts of self-harm and violent tendencies.
Victims of wrecks who suffer any type of brain injury may need significant medical care. The costs of this care and other financial damages may be overwhelming. They may pursue a personal injury lawsuit to help overcome those damages.