Over a million Americans each year are seen by a medical professional because of a blow to the head, and of those, as many as ten percent will have ongoing problems which affect not only their ability to work, but their day-to-day lives. The overwhelming majority of those with serious head trauma have been injured in auto accidents. Many people are unaware that a motor vehicle collision at a relatively low rate of speed can still result in a serious head injury, and even when your head doesn’t hit the steering wheel or windshield, traumatic brain injuries can still occur.
Your brain can be bruised, or there could be tearing or swelling inside which may or may not be immediately evident. Bruising and bleeding in the brain is caused when the soft tissue of the brain is thrown against the hard bones of the skull, causing blood vessels to tear and blood to leak into areas of the brain. If this leaking blood presses on the delicate brain tissue, that tissue can begin to die, leaving critical areas of the brain with no capacity to function. The brain can also swell up as a result of the auto accident injuries, causing pressure to push down on the brain, again, stopping crucial brain functions.
Open Head Injuries vs. Closed Head Injuries
When a doctor diagnoses your injuries as open head injuries, it means the skull was fractured, and the assumption is that a severe head injury has taken place—in other words it’s quite obvious that your brain has been traumatized. In a closed head injury, the damage is not so readily obvious, meaning the skull is not broken open and bleeding. While a closed head injury may not look as frightening, it can actually be much more serious, as the pressure can build up inside the skull and damage fragile brain tissue. A fractured skull may actually let off the excess pressure which can save the brain from even more damage. This is not to say, however, that such an injury is not serious. In fact, there are circumstances when a fractured skull can cause severe brain injury or death as well.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
A mild brain injury can bring on headaches, disturbances in vision, loss of memory or poor concentration, insomnia, vertigo, or even emotional disturbances. Depression can set in, and there may be an increased sensitivity to light or sounds. Seizures can occur in mild cases of traumatic brain injury, although they are much less common. These symptoms may or may not be present at the time of the injury—in some cases days or even weeks go by before symptoms are noticeable, and the injured person may seem normal until changes in behavior are noted.
Brain Injuries Which are Moderate or Severe
Brain injuries classified as moderate generally result in the person losing consciousness from twenty minutes to six hours, while a traumatic, severe injury to the brain can result in the person losing consciousness for a longer length of time than six hours. A moderate to severe brain injury can also cause noticeable difficulties with memory, concentration and attention span, and the injured person may be easily distracted. The injury can cause confusion, unwarranted impulsiveness, difficulties in language processing, or in the speed of mental processes. Speech and language centers are often affected in a moderate to severe brain injury; the victim may not understand the speech of others, or may have difficulty with their own speech.
Speech may be slurred, or it can be unusually fast or slow. The person with a traumatic brain injury may have significant difficulties in reading or writing. Many people with serious brain injuries can experience sensory difficulties, finding it hard to interpret touch, temperature, movement or even the position of their own body. The vision can be affected in the person who has suffered a traumatic brain injury, as can hearing, smell and taste. Emotional issues can also occur, including unwarranted aggression, irritability, lack of motivation or lack of awareness.
Getting Comparing, Caring and Experienced Legal Representation for Your Claim
A person who has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an auto accident can have long-term symptoms if the injury was moderate to severe. Months, years, or even a lifetime of rehabilitation and therapy may be necessary, and in many cases the injured person is never able to fully regain their life. If you have sustained a brain injury due to negligence, you should contact Montlick & Associates to learn about your rights as well as what steps are necessary to protect your rights. Our attorneys at Montlick & Associates fight hard for our injured clients, so that they can concentrate on healing, and work hard to obtain for them compensation for their medical expenses, both now and the anticipated future bills, as well as lost wages and future loss of earnings. Do not delay in seeking legal assistance, as you have a limited amount of time to pursue a claim.
Contact Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries resulting from any truck, motorcycle or automobile accident, it is a good idea to consider how a Georgia Personal Injury and Car Accident Attorney may be able to help you. All traffic accidents have the potential to cause significant harm in the form of physical and mental injuries. With more than 39 years of experience, Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law strives to provide superior legal representation to injured individuals and their loved ones from all over Georgia.
Whether you have suffered injuries or you would like to speak with a legal professional about an injured loved one, the Georgia Personal Injury and Car Accident Attorneys of Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law have the dedication, skill, and experience to provide you with the guidance you need. For your free consultation, contact our office today by calling (800) LAW-NEED (529-6333). You may also visit us online at www.montlick.com to complete a Free Case Evaluation Form, and you may also participate in a 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
http://www.brainline.org/content/2008/07/facts-about-traumatic-brain-injury.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/basics/symptoms/con-20029302
Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
Toll Free: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
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