Concussion or Brain Injury After a Crash: It’s Not All in Your Head.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs from sudden trauma which causes damage to the brain. A TBI can happen when the head suddenly and violently hits an object or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. A concussion is a form of a TBI.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 1.7 million TBIs happen every year, either as an isolated injury or along with other injuries.
Car crashes are the second leading cause of TBIs, making up 17.3% each year, right after falls, which make up just over 35% of TBIs.
Most TBIs are usually caused by a violent blow or jolt to your head or body, which is very common during a car crash.
According to the Mayo Clinic www.mayoclinic.org:
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination.
Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head. Violently shaking of the head and upper body also can cause concussions.
Some concussions cause you to lose consciousness, but most do not.
Falls are the most common cause of concussion. Concussions are also common if you play a contact sport, such as football or soccer. Most people usually recover fully after a concussion.
There are three grades of concussions:
- Grade 1: Mild, with symptoms that last less than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.
- Grade 2: Moderate, with symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.
- Grade 3: Severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes for just a few seconds.
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The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not be immediately present. Symptoms can last for days, weeks or even longer.
Common symptoms after a concussive TBI are headache, dizziness, loss of memory, and confusion. The memory loss often involves forgetting the event that caused the TBI. Other signs or symptoms may include:
- Ringing in the ears
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Blurry vision
A witness may see these signs and symptoms in the concussed person:
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Slurred speech
- Delayed response to questions
- Dazed appearance
- Forgetfulness, such as repeatedly asking the same question
You could have some TBI symptoms immediately, while some can occur for days after the injury, such as:
- Concentration and memory complaints
- Irritability and other personality changes
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Sleep disturbances
- Psychological adjustment problems and depression
- Disorders of taste and smell
A concussion left untreated can lead to long-term complications. Potential complications include chronic headaches, memory problems, vertigo, and post-concussion syndrome, which is headaches, dizziness, mood swings, and brain fog that can continue for months or years after a concussion.
Seek emergency care for any person who experiences a head injury and signs and symptoms such as:
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds
- A headache that gets worse over time
- Fluid or blood draining from the nose or ears
- Vision or eye disturbances, such as pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils) or pupils of unequal sizes
- Ringing in the ears that doesn’t go away
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Appearing very pale for longer than an hour
- Changes in behavior
- Confusion or disorientation, such as difficulty recognizing people or places
- Slurred speech or other speech changes
- Obvious difficulty with mental function or physical coordination
- Changes in physical coordination, such as stumbling or clumsiness
- Seizures or convulsions
- Lasting or recurrent dizziness
- Symptoms that worsen over time
- Large head bumps or bruises on areas other than the forehead in children, especially in infants under 12 months of age
WHAT WE DO FOR YOU
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car crash or fall that may have caused a concussion or TBI, first see a doctor. After that, you need to speak with an experienced brain injury attorney who has handled brain injury cases.
As experienced accident and brain injury attorneys in Arizona, we know what needs to be done when a crash causes a concussion or TBI. We can help you find the medical professionals you need to treat your injuries.
The other driver’s insurance company is not on your side, no matter how nice the adjuster seems to be. You need an experienced brain injury lawyer to be your advocate and protector for when the insurance company tries to withhold what you need to pay for your medical care and get you the compensation you deserve.
We keep our clients updated every step of the way. We communicate with them via phone calls, email, text, Zoom, and yes, in-person in a safe setting. We make sure our clients know what is happening and what the next steps will be. We make sure our clients are a part of our team.
Not every law firm fights for their clients. We do, and have extensive trial and arbitration experience. If a lawsuit is necessary to get what our clients need and deserve, we know what to do.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
If you were involved in a crash, call brain injury attorney Kevin Chapman or his team at (480) 833-1113 and we can talk about it. We will fight for you from beginning to end.
Attorney Profile: Kevin Chapman
Main Areas of Law:
Personal Injury
Auto Accidents
Wrongful Death
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