Being in a car accident is traumatic enough, and adding traumatic brain injury to the entire situation is an additional insult.
Unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are among the most worrisome outcomes of a car crash.
Some sorts of car-related brain injuries are more obvious right away, while others may not show up for a while. In any case, a brain injury may have devastating consequences, therefore it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible after experiencing any symptoms.
If you don’t know what you’re supposed to do after being in a car accident, with TBI or not, don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place. Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about TBI and car accident injuries.
TBI and Car Accident: Understanding the Different Types of TBI
A car crash may cause many different types of brain damage.
Traumatic brain injury is another name for them. And, sadly enough, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes
Concussion
It’s one of the most well-known forms of brain damage brought on by automobile accidents.
A concussion is a kind of brain injury caused by a blow to the head, an abrupt change in motion, or both. Consciousness loss is a common side effect of concussions. Dizziness and bewilderment are two examples of less severe symptoms that might manifest.
The medical professionals from AFC urgent care can act fast and help patients who need medical attention right away. Ignoring a medical emergency may have devastating results.
Contusions
Contusions are just bruises in other terminology; nevertheless, brain contusions present unique challenges.
Some contusions are so serious that they have to be removed surgically. Coup-contrecoup refers to a head injury that affects both sides of the brain.
This includes both the area directly around the point of impact and the area directly across from it. You have two bruises, strictly speaking.
Pain and swelling are other symptoms of a concussion. They also carry the possibility of causing a clot in the brain, a loss of speech, memory problems, or even a shift in one’s mental state.
Penetration
As the name implies, this kind of damage is caused by something penetrating the skull and landing in the brain.
This is one of the most noticeable signs of injury. Exudation of blood from the scalp implies a wound that has penetrated the skin and/or the skull, but not necessarily the brain.
Other warning signs include severe bleeding, respiratory problems, and extreme fatigue.
Coup-Contrecoup
Both the side of the brain that was struck (the “coup”) and the side that was struck opposite it (the “contrecoup”) were injured in a coup-contrecoup brain injury (contrecoup).
When the brain undergoes a sudden movement inside the skull, this is known as a coup-contrecoup injury. This kind of head injury may occur in very intense or powerful car accidents, including rollovers. Due to the brain striking the interior of the skull, damage is done on both sides of the brain.
Acquired Brain Injuries
Injuries sustained in an accident were not the result of blunt force.
Blood loss, chest issues, lung and rib damage, and throat injuries all have the potential to cause situations that have an immediate impact on the brain, such as a lack of blood flow, which may lead to acquired brain injuries. When you go to the doctor, they will be able to diagnose these diseases very away and provide you advice on how to treat them right away. The possible repercussions on the brain should be kept in mind when one of these traumas occurs.
What to Do After a Car Accident
We know that in the midst of trauma making sound and logical decisions can be hard. But, learning about them in advance (or even in the aftermath) can help ease the burden of research.
So, if a vehicle accident left you with traumatic brain injury, do the following.
Quickly Get Checked Out
As injury lawyers, we always advise our clients that the sooner they can get the necessary and appropriate medical care, the sooner they can get back on the road to good health and a full recoup of their losses.
In this case, time may be of the essence in properly diagnosing the cause of this brain injury after a motor vehicle crash.
Attend to Your Health
Seek a referral for the right diagnostic imaging to identify and diagnose whether you have experienced this damage. Experienced surgeons like Dr Timothy Steel can save your life here, provided that there is no delay before you receive your diagnosis.
Your doctor won’t be able to treat you unless he or she understands what’s causing your symptoms, so getting a proper diagnosis is essential.
Get Your Records and Other Documentation
Getting your medical records from the ER or your primary care physician as soon as possible after a car accident is critical.
It may help you avoid future hassles with your own insurance provider by proving that your head trauma was really caused by the collision.
Emphasize a Clear Temporal Relationship
It is easier to get a full and fair legal settlement for your TBI after a car accident when it is the result of another driver’s carelessness or negligence.
It’s easier to do so if you get treatment quickly after the accident rather than waiting weeks or months before filing a claim.
Consult a Specialized Lawyer
An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your medical records and the care you’re receiving to ensure bills are getting paid.
And, they can calculate a car accident settlement amount to help you estimate how much you’re likely to receive in compensation if you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of a car accident.
Easing the Pain of Car Accident Injury
Dealing with a traumatic brain injury is terrifying on its own, never mind the financial repercussions of losing wages or medical bills.
Thankfully, you don’t have to deal with it alone. We hope that our guide has shed some light on what you need to do in the aftermath of a car accident, and the key types of TBIs in all of their horrible forms.
If you’re still feeling shaky on the details, you can always head to our legal section for more tips and advice on what to do.
