You were just struck by another driver in Laredo, Texas. If you didn’t lose consciousness, you may have noticed a bump on your head. You don’t think much of it. But days later, you become disorientated. Other unusual symptoms start to set in. You’re not yourself. What’s going on? You may have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is more serious than you may think. It’s crucial that you seek immediate medical attention before it gets worse.
Traumatic brain injuries explained
TBIs are very common in auto accidents. They often occur when a driver or passenger’s brain hits against the inner wall of the skull.
In less severe cases, they may take a few days to fully manifest and may be treated with rest and minimal medical procedures.
In other cases, crash victims lose consciousness. Their head injury causes bruising, damage to brain tissue and blood vessels, and serious complications that can last a lifetime.
While most injuries can completely heal with time, TBIs typically don’t. Once damage has been caused to the neurons and brain tissue, it never fully recovers to the way it was prior to the crash.
TBIs commonly include:
- Coup-contrecoup brain injury: A blow to the head caused by a serious collision can cause the brain to hit the opposite side of impact.
- Concussion: In a lower impact accident, a crash victim’s brain hits the side of impact. While usually mild and common, concussions can result in permanent damage if left untreated or if they occur repeatedly.
- Brain contusion: This type of TBI often happens in conjunction with a concussion. It involves bleeding under the skin and may require surgery to remove.
- Diffuse axonal injury: This type of TBI happens the same way as a concussion, but the injury is often much worse.
- Second impact syndrome: While recovering from a TBI, crash victims are at risk of sustaining a second, and worse, TBI.
- Penetrating injury: This type of TBI is an open head injury that can be caused by debris or parts of a vehicle.
Recovering from a head injury
TBIs are no joke. If you have sustained one after a car accident, the recovery process could take months or years. In severe cases, the complications can be lifelong. The cost of MRIs, CAT scans, surgery, and therapy can take a financial toll on your life. Meanwhile, you’re unable to attend work and collect a paycheck. You’re unable to engage in activities you once enjoyed, all because of someone else’s reckless behavior. That’s not right.
If you or a loved one suffer a TBI in a car accident, contact John R. Solis today to discuss your option. He’ll put your needs first and fight to maximize your compensation.