Traumatic Brain Injuries Are Common in Car Accidents
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TBI victims often face a long road to recovery
Car accident injuries are always serious, but some are more life-altering than others. Among the most devastating are traumatic brain injuries, aka TBIs.
In a car accident, TBIs are caused by the blunt force impact and the rapid back-and-forth motion you experience during the collision. Traumatic brain injuries range from mild bruising to "vegetative" severe comas. Treatment options are varied and depend on your specific situation.
What is a TBI?
When an outside force causes brain damage, the resulting injury is a TBI. They are typically caused by car accidents, falls, blunt force trauma, and assault. Common types of TBIs include:
Concussion
Blood clots
Penetrating injuries where the skull is pierced or cracked
Hematoma swelling
Blood clots
Coup-contrecoup injuries, which occur when a physical blow damages one side of the brain and the force knocks it against the other side of the skull, thus damaging the brain in at least two places.
Lacerations
Nerve damage with loss of body functions
TBIs are classified into three categories - mild, moderate, and severe.
Mild TBIs - So-called "mild" TBIs can result in temporary or permanent damage such as decreased attention, processing speed, headache, fatigue, nausea, and balance problems. A mild TBI may involve a brief loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. There would be less than 1 hour of post-trauma amnesia (PTA) and imaging would show a normal brain.
Moderate TBI - Hallmarks of moderate TBIs are loss of consciousness for 1-24 hours followed by 1-24 hours of amnesia. Imaging would reveal an abnormal brain.
Severe TBI - This category is for only the most devastating TBIs that cause a person to lose consciousness for more than 24 hours. When they wake up, amnesia lasts for more than a day. People with a severe TBI may be in a coma, persistent vegetative state, or minimally responsive.
Traumatic brain injury treatment
Because the damage is almost never reversible, TBI treatment often focuses on adjusting to diminished brain function and motor skills, rebuilding relationships, and increasing independence. Most TBI treatment regimens are long-term.
In Fairfield County, trauma care services for TBIs can be found at medical facilities like:
St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport
Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan
Although it's not part of Fairfield County, Yale University Neurosurgery is in nearby New Haven
Call a brain injury lawyer who gets results
A traumatic brain injury can turn your whole life upside down, and if someone else caused your brain injury, you deserve compensation for all your losses. The problem is TBI claims are high stakes, and insurance companies benefit financially by paying brain injury victims as little money as possible.
That's why you need an experienced brain injury attorney who isn't afraid to take on complex cases and fight for the compensation you're entitled to. That's why you need our law firm in your corner, looking out for your best interests and advocating for the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love suffered a TBI in an accident, contact us today for a free consultation. We can listen to the details of your case, answer your questions, and help you weigh your legal options.