What Happens When a Loved One Suffers a Traumatic Brain Injury After an Auto Accident?

If a loved one of yours suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a recent car accident they were involved in, you may be wondering what life may be like for them after suffering such a serious injury. To help you better understand the injury itself and what effects many who suffer with it experience, below we share some helpful information with you below.

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A traumatic brain injury “usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body” [Source: Mayo Clinic]. If “an object penetrates brain tissue, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, it can also cause a traumatic brain injury” as well. A mild TBI may affect a person’s brain cells temporarily while a more serious TBI may result in “bruising, torn tissues, bleeding, and other physical damage to the brain.” Not only can a TBI have long-term effects on a car accident victim, but it can lead to death if the injury was severe enough.

What are the physical symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?

Before we outline what the signs and symptoms are of a TBI, you should be aware that TBI’s vary in severity as some cases are worse than others which means the symptoms will likely vary based on the degree of the injury your loved one sustained.

Signs and Symptoms of Mild TBI

Physical symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness for a few seconds or even a few minutes
• No loss of consciousness, but a state of feeling dazed, confused or disoriented
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Problems with speech
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sleeping more than usual
• Dizziness or loss of balance

Sensory symptoms include:

• Sensory problems which might include blurred vision, ringing in the ears, a bad taste in the mouth or changes in ability their ability to smell.
• Sensitivity to light or sound

Some cognitive or mental symptoms of a mild TBI include:

• Memory or concentration problems
• Mood changes or even mood swings
• Feeling depressed or anxious

[Source: Mayo Clinic].

Signs and Symptoms of a Mild to Severe TBI

Physical symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness for several minutes or hours
• A constant headache or a headache that worsens in severity
• Continuous vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures
• Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
• Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
• Inability to wake up from a state of being asleep
• Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
• Loss of coordination

Some cognitive or mental symptoms also include:

• Extreme confusion
• Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior
• Slurred speech
• Coma and other disorders of consciousness

[Source: Mayo Clinic].

Now that you are more familiar with what a TBI is and the signs and symptoms of one, it is time to discuss what forms of legal action you have taken following the collision? Have you contacted a brain injury attorney? Have you familiarized yourself with what forms of compensation your relative is entitled to receive? If you answered no to either one, then now would be a good time to contact the Iowa brain injury lawyers at Eells & Tronvold, P.L.C. located in Cedar Rapids, IA. Our team of dedicated and reputable attorneys can provide you with all the information you need, including what your loved one’s case is worth.

 

You can reach Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. at:
1921 51^st Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Phone: (319) 393-1020
Fax: (319) 393-4000