Every single year, more than 1.5 million Americans suffer injuries in vehicle collisions. While many of these injuries can be minor, some come with life-changing health ramifications. One of the most significant injuries a person can suffer in a car accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to the Mayfield Clinic, a TBI is defined as an injury to the brain caused by a sudden blow or a jolt to the head. Today, car crashes are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries throughout the United States. If you or your loved one suffered a brain injury in a motor vehicle collision, it is imperative that you speak with a knowledgeable legal professional to understand your options for seeking compensation. 

Seeking the Compensation You Deserve 

When a driver’s negligence results in serious injuries to you or a loved one, you are entitled to compensation for various medical expenses and potential loss of work hours and income. Determining how much compensation is needed for a TBI can be complicated due to the possibility of delayed symptoms. The truth of the matter is that all traumatic brain injuries should be taken very seriously, regardless of severity. Even minor brain trauma can result in symptoms, including general disorientation, severe headaches, and memory loss. It is also important to note that serious brain trauma can result in life-threatening injuries to the brain such as severe brain contusions, hemorrhaging in the brain, and hematomas. 

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, an average of 28,000 people are injured in car accidents each year. One of the most serious and life-changing injuries a person can suffer in a motor vehicle collision is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries involve a blow or jolt to the head that has a disruptive impact on normal brain function. If you have experienced a TBI due to a car accident, you should speak to an attorney to learn about your options for filing a personal injury claim. 

How a Traumatic Brain Injury Can Impact You 

Traumatic brain injuries can vary greatly in terms of significance, but brain trauma should never be taken lightly. Even a relatively minor concussion can result in headaches, fatigue, and temporary balance issues. Head injuries can cause visual acuity problems resulting in dizziness, unsteadiness, reading difficulties, headaches, problems with lighting, and other matters. If you believe you have suffered a concussion, you should seek out medical attention immediately. In more serious cases, concussion symptoms can include vomiting, loss of consciousness, temporary memory loss, and difficulty speaking. 

In some cases, traumatic brain injuries can impact a person for the rest of their life. Some of the more serious types of TBIs may involve bruising to the brain, internal bleeding, or torn tissues. These injuries can occur from a serious jolt to the head or a penetration of brain tissue from an object such as a shattered piece of the skull. Major traumatic brain injuries can impact a person’s speech and cognitive ability for long periods of time and potentially for the rest of their life. People with cognitive impairments may have difficulty returning to their prior jobs, resulting in a permanent diminution in their ability to earn a living.

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.