Over 6 million car accidents happen per year. Out of those accidents, tens of thousands of people are injured—and some accidents prove fatal.
Many victims of car collisions experience a range of symptoms and injuries after a crash. One of the most common—and dangerous—is a brain injury.
Here is how to know if you sustained a traumatic brain injury from a vehicle crash:
Common Injuries After a Car Accident
Many injuries can be sustained after experiencing a car accident. The most common injuries include but are not limited to:
- Skin laceration
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Bruises
- Concussions
- Death
- And more
One of the most serious injuries is a TBI. They can be life-altering and prove devasting to the victim.
What is Traumatic Brain Injury?
A TBI usually occurs after a violent jolt to the body or the head. It can also occur from an object entering into the skull and harming the brain tissue.
Mild brain injuries can temporarily affect you and can be treated by medical professionals. However, a traumatic brain injury can cause torn brain tissue, bleeding, and physical alterations to the brain itself. This can cause life-long issues and may even result in death.
How to Know You May Have a Brain Injury After an Accident
It is imperative to know the symptoms of brain trauma should you find yourself in a vehicle collision.
Mild traumatic brain injury
The most common symptoms of mild TBIs can include instant headaches, vomiting, drowsiness, problems with speech, and more. If you feel dizzy and are having a hard time concentrating after a collision, seek immediate medical help.
Your vision can equally be blurry and you may hear ringing in your ears—called tinnitus. If you immediately feel sensitive to sound and light, you may have a brain injury. After the accident, if you find yourself sleeping more than usual or not sleeping at all, call your doctor.
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
These types of TBIs require immediate attention as they can be fatal. They can appear within hours to several days after a head injury occurs from a car accident.
The most common physical symptoms include loss of consciousness. Unconsciousness can last anywhere from a minute to several hours. Upon awakening, you may feel a persistent headache that continues to worsen over time.
Nausea and vomiting are additional tall-tell signs that you may have a TBI. Convulsions can follow, leading to seizures and loss of coordination. If any fluid is coming out of the ears or eyes, call 911 immediately. If you cannot wake a loved one who went through a car accident, call an ambulance.
Slurred speech, long-lasting confusion, and dilated pupils also warrant a doctor to be contacted. If the injured person falls into a coma or cannot stay awake, prompt medical attention is essential and may save their life.
When Do You Need a Lawyer?
If you or a loved one experienced any type of brain injury from a car accident, call a car accident attorney. A personal injury lawyer can take the details of the incident and create a case for you to receive compensation.
TBIs can range from mild, to moderate, and severe. You deserve damages to help pay for your continued care. You may need the additional funds for medical expenses, and loss of wages both now and in the future. You may have a wrongful death lawsuit in the event the victim passes away.
At the Law Offices of Cytryn & Velazquez, P.A., our reputable Florida personal injury attorneys are ready to take your call. With more than 40 years of experience serving the Lauderhill, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, and surrounding areas.
We pride ourselves on aggressively defending our clients and holding wrongdoers accountable for their actions. Your legal claim may warrant you damages as you were the victim of negligence. Call us today for a free consultation from a Florida personal injury lawyer.