What Are The Symptoms of TBI After a Car Accident? - Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin, P.A.

Doctor reviews MRI to check for a traumatic brain injury.

Following a car accident, it's crucial to pay attention to any symptoms that may indicate underlying injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Understanding your symptoms is not only essential for your health but also for protecting your legal rights.

If you or a loved one suffered a head or brain injury in a crash, it's also important to consult with a car accident lawyer who can help you navigate the legal process of obtaining compensation for your losses.

How common are TBIs caused by car accidents?

Car accidents rank among the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 14 percent of TBIs occur annually due to motor vehicle accidents. Furthermore, car accidents stand as the second-leading cause of fatal TBIs.

To grasp the magnitude of these statistics, consider that approximately 1.5 million people sustain traumatic brain injuries each year across the nation. This equates to roughly 210,000 traumatic brain injuries resulting from car accidents annually.

How do car accidents cause head and brain injuries?

Car accidents can result in head and brain injuries through various mechanisms, depending on the nature and severity of the crash. For instance, in rear-end collisions, occupants may experience whiplash injuries, where the rapid back-and-forth motion of the head can cause strain on the neck and potential trauma to the brain.

In head-on collisions, the force of impact can propel occupants forward, causing them to strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield, resulting in blunt force trauma to the head and potential traumatic brain injuries such as concussions or contusions.

Similarly, side-impact collisions, also known as T-bone or broadside crashes, can subject occupants to lateral forces, leading to head and brain injuries from impacts with the door, window, or other objects within the vehicle.

Finally, rollover accidents pose a significant risk of head and brain injuries as occupants may be ejected from the vehicle or sustain impacts from debris and other objects during the rollover sequence.

Recognizing the signs of a brain injury after a crash

If you experience any of the following symptoms of traumatic brain injury after a car accident, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly:

Poor balance: Difficulty maintaining balance or coordination may indicate neurological impairment following a car crash.
Frequent headaches: Persistent or recurring headaches, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, could be a sign of a TBI.
Blurred vision: Vision disturbances such as blurred or double vision may signal trauma to the brain's visual processing centers.
Nausea or vomiting: Persistent nausea or episodes of vomiting, particularly when associated with other symptoms, may indicate increased intracranial pressure following a head injury.
Ringing noise in ears: Tinnitus, or ringing noise in the ears, can occur as a result of head trauma and may accompany other symptoms of a TBI.
Slurred speech: Difficulty articulating words or speaking clearly may be indicative of neurological dysfunction following a car accident.
Sudden mood changes: Abrupt changes in mood, such as irritability, agitation, or depression, can be manifestations of underlying brain injury and should not be ignored.

Types of brain injuries

Some of the most common brain injuries sustained in car accidents include:

Concussions: Concussions are a type of mild traumatic brain injury often caused by sudden jolts or impacts to the head. Symptoms may include confusion, headaches, dizziness, and temporary loss of consciousness.
Contusions: Brain contusions, or bruises, occur when the brain impacts the skull during a car accident. These injuries can lead to bleeding within the brain tissue and may result in neurological deficits.
Hematomas: Brain hematomas occur when blood clots form within the brain following a car accident. Depending on their size and location, hematomas can exert pressure on surrounding brain tissue, causing symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and neurological impairment.
Diffuse axonal injuries (DAIs): DAIs occur when the brain rapidly shifts or rotates inside the skull during a car accident, causing widespread damage to nerve fibers. This type of injury can result in cognitive impairments, coma, and long-term neurological deficits.
Penetrating head injuries: Penetrating injuries occur when foreign objects, such as shattered glass or debris from the car, penetrate the skull and damage brain tissue. These injuries can vary in severity and may require emergency medical intervention.

Seeking legal help for a head or brain injury

Claims involving head or brain injuries often turn into complicated legal cases. That's because these types of injuries can have long-lasting and sometimes hidden effects that may not be immediately apparent. Additionally, it can be difficult to accurately calculate the full extent of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With the stakes so high, having an experienced car accident attorney by your side is essential.

At Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin, P.A., our New Hampshire car accident lawyers can protect your rights and advocate for the maximum compensation you deserve. We understand the profound impact a traumatic brain injury can have on a victim and their loved ones, and our attorneys are here to help you find your way forward.

Get a law firm with more than 150 years of legal experience. Contact us for a free case consultation. We can meet with you in one of our offices in Dover or Portsmouth or another location that's convenient for you.