Know the Signs: Serious Head Injuries Are Not Always Readily Apparent
Imagine the following scenario: you are driving to work on your usual route, carefully observing cars and pedestrians, when suddenly you are broadsided by a large SUV. You hit the steering wheel, but feel alright following the impact of the crash. You might feel relieved that you dodged an injury, and often that will be the case. Sometimes, however, all is not okay. You or a passenger may have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is not immediately obvious and swift treatment could make a difference.
Car accident victims suffer traumatic brain injuries at alarmingly high rates. Our personal injury attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, have assisted thousands of car accident victims with varying degrees of traumatic brain injuries. We know that these injuries can be quite serious and require rapid treatment and medical observation to ensure they do not worsen. The following is an examination of traumatic brain injuries stemming from car accidents and a list of symptoms that could indicate a TBI.
Motor Vehicle Accidents Are a Leading Cause of Brain Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.5 million people suffer head injuries each year. Traumatic brain injuries cause about 50,000 deaths and 280,000 hospitalizations. Car accidents are the second leading cause of fatal traumatic brain injuries and the third leading cause of TBIs overall. Moreover, falls, sports injuries, and assaults are some other common causes of traumatic brain injuries.
Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Many people believe that a minor car accident could not result in a serious head injury. However, if a moving car strikes another moving car, your brain goes from the speed of the car to zero in a split second. The impact alone is enough to inflict considerable head trauma. Moreover, the human brain is extremely complex and susceptible to injury in the event of an accident.
Head injuries can be open or closed. Open head injuries occur when an object penetrates the skull, and such injuries will usually be apparent. Closed head injuries, on the other hand, happen when an accident causes a strong blow to the head, but the skull is intact. These injuries might not be readily apparent.
In the event of a car accident, be aware that there is a possibility you could have suffered a head injury. Be on the alert for the following symptoms, which may indicate head trauma:
• Drowsiness
• Loss of consciousness, even for a brief moment
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Severe headaches
• Inability to concentrate
• Nausea
• Changes in the size of your pupils
• Clear or bloody fluid coming from your nose, ears, or mouth
• Convulsions
Seek medical attention if you experience these or other symptoms that could indicate a traumatic brain injury.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work For Your Case!
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located, our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/basics/definition/con-20029302