According to the Brain Injury Research Institute, concussions are among the most common types of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Any time a person's head is bumped or jolted, they may experience a concussion. Car accidents often lead to concussions, whether they occur at fast or slow speeds. If you have suffered a brain injury in a motor vehicle collision that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should speak with a personal injury attorney to learn how you can receive financial compensation.

Common Symptoms of a Concussion

After an accident takes place, a person who has suffered a concussion may lose consciousness, vomit, or become disoriented. Other potential symptoms of concussions include nausea, head and neck pain, dizziness, fatigue, mood changes, irritability, and insomnia. Even if a person receives a mild concussion, it is wise to seek medical treatment immediately, since records related to this treatment can be used when making a personal injury claim.

Treating Concussions

Concussions can vary in severity, and in most cases, the best form of treatment is to rest and allow oneself enough time to recover. In order for the brain to heal and to reduce the chances of re-injury, most concussion victims are instructed to avoid strenuous activities, such as exercise and sports. Physical therapy, however, is a common practice that can be helpful. This form of treatment may last for several weeks or months.

Even in a seemingly minor car accident, victims can suffer several types of serious injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord damage, and brain trauma. According to the Centers for Diseases and Control Prevention (CDC), brain injuries are among the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. About 20 percent of brain injuries occur as a result of automobile accidents. The force of impact can cause a driver or passenger to hit his or her head on the dashboard or be thrown from the vehicle. If you or a loved one have sustained a brain injury as a result of another driver’s negligence, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to learn about how you can recover damages.

Types of Concussions

Although concussions are considered a mild brain injury, they are one of the most common injuries suffered in a car collision. Concussions are categorized according to their severity:

• Grade 1 concussions produce no loss of consciousness, but the victim may experience temporary amnesia (30 minutes or less).
• Grade 2 concussions produce loss of consciousness with amnesia that lasts less than 24 hours.
• Grade 3 concussions produce loss of consciousness with amnesia that lasts longer than 24 hours.

Depending on the severity of the victim’s concussion, she or he may not even realize that a form of brain trauma has occurred. Although dizziness and headaches may be prevalent in this type of injury, additional symptoms such as changes in mood or sleep patterns could go unnoticed. Concussions can also be a sign of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is a more serious condition. 

Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be very serious, and they can occur in a wide variety of situations, such as car accidents and workplace accidents. The symptoms of a brain injury may not be readily apparent, and they may not appear until days or weeks after the injury occurred. However, they can have a major impact on the life of a person and their family, affecting a victim’s motor skills, vision, hearing, memory, and emotional health. Because of these dangers, it is important to identify brain injuries as soon as possible, and some recent advances in medical technology may help determine the best course of action for injury victims.

Blood Tests for Head Injury Evaluations

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a method of using a blood test to evaluate mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions in adults. This test, known as the Banyan Brain Trauma Indicator (BTI), measures proteins that are typically released into the bloodstream by the brain within 12 hours after a person experiences a brain injury. By testing the levels of these proteins, doctors can better predict whether a person has experienced a TBI and whether further tests and treatment may be necessary.

A traumatic brain injury can come as a result of a blow or puncture to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. These injuries can range from mild to severe and even fatal, and TBIs are the cause of an estimated 2.8 billion emergency room visits per year and nearly 50,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Also according to the CDC, the leading causes of TBIs are falls (47%), self-harm (33%), being struck by or against an object (15%), and motor vehicle crashes (14%).

No matter the cause, if you survive a traumatic brain injury, the effects can last anywhere from a few days to perpetuating for the rest of your life. Currently, an estimated 5.3 million people in the United States live with a disability caused by traumatic brain injury or injuries. Many of these people suffer effects such as impaired thinking or memory, loss of movement and/or sensation, vision or hearing loss. Many suffer the emotional and psychological effects leading to depression and other mental health complications.

Motor vehicle-related injuries send more than 2.3 million people to emergency rooms every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC also reported that motor vehicle crashes were the third overall leading cause of traumatic brain injury-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Traumatic Brain Injury - Definition, Signs, and Symptoms

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by a bump, blow, jolt, or penetration to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Sadly, while you may be aware that you hit your head, you may not be aware that you have experienced a traumatic brain injury — mild or severe — until it is too late. Here are some signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury to help ensure you get the quality care and treatment that you need after an automobile accident:

• Persistent or frequent headaches;
• Sensitivity to light or sound;
• Feelings of disorientation or confusion;
• Lightheadedness or dizziness;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Blurred vision;
• Ringing in the ears;
• Tiredness or sleepiness;
• A bad taste in the mouth;
• Change in mood or behavior;
• Troubles with memory, concentrating, paying attention, or even thinking;
• Small periods of loss of consciousness or blackouts that last a few seconds or minutes

More severe TBIs can produce even more serious symptoms, so watch for any of the following: