Recognizing the Signs of Traumatic Brain Injuries
From sporting event injuries to car accidents, science is having a new understanding of the effects of traumatic brain injury, from post-concussion syndrome to longer-term connections with things such as dementia. With children heading back to school, we do so with the knowledge that brain injuries are now the leading cause of death and disability in both children and teenagers, according to the Brain Injury Association of America.
Causes of Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are caused by sudden and abrupt damage to the brain, with the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries being falls and motor vehicle accidents. Interestingly, falls cause nearly half of all brain injury hospitalizations today.
In the case of car accidents, even minor ones, it is very common for individuals to feel soreness afterwards, especially if they have been forcefully constrained by the seatbelt or an airbag has deployed. But in cases where there is head trauma, or the head has been jerked back and forth, it is critical to watch for signs that may indicate a TBI.
The Subtlety of Symptoms
Car accident head trauma can result in two different types of injuries. Primary brain damage can occur at the point of impact when the head hits an object, such as the steering wheel. This can result in skull fracture and bleeding in the brain. Secondary damage, including brain swelling and increased blood pressure inside the skull, is not always immediately detectable and may take time to develop. Often, an individual can seem fine after an accident but symptoms will develop over hours or even days afterward.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to be watchful for these signs of traumatic brain injury:
- Dizziness and balance issues
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Confusion
- Slow reaction time
- Neck pain
- Light or sound sensitivity
- Ringing in the ears
Signs of a potentially more serious TBI can include
- Loss or alteration of consciousness
- Unresponsiveness
- Bleeding
- Dilated pupils
- Eyes not tracking correctly
- Nausea or vomiting
- Convulsions
It is always critical to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible after a car accident to rule out any possible injuries, even without overwhelming symptoms.
Getting Help
If you have been involved in a car accident or fall and have suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries from the at-fault party. Contact the skilled Cambridge personal injury lawyers at Hilborn and Konduros at (519) 658-6341 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss your rights.
