Head injuries can be extremely serious, especially during car accidents. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, around 4.4 million people are injured seriously enough to need medical attention each year.
One of the most severe injuries is a traumatic brain injury, also known as a TBI. TBIs are caused by a violent blow or jolt to your head or body, often during a car accident.
You can suffer from symptoms like poor memory, difficulty concentrating, emotional stress, and fatigue, and not even know that these are signs of a traumatic brain injury. The CDC reports that motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of TBIs in the United States, causing around 25% of all traumatic brain injuries.
If you have a moderate or a severe TBI, you’ll know, because you will have lost consciousness for half an hour or more. Mild TBI, on the other hand, is trickier to diagnose. Sometimes it’s hard to know if your symptoms could be caused by TBI. Clinical lists of symptoms aren’t always comforting when you’re trying to determine if you’re suffering from TBI. We all know the stereotypical signs of a concussion, like blurry vision and confusion. But there are many other symptoms that you might not associate with a TBI.
You should always request medical attention after a car accident for even insignificant-seeming injuries. After the stress of an accident, you’re not in the best possible position to determine whether you’ve been injured. Speak with medical professionals on the scene or go to the emergency room immediately following the accident to increase your chances of a good outcome. However, it’s not too late to seek medical attention if you’re reading this after the accident. You’re better off getting checked out after the fact than not going at all. Keep track of your medical records and receipts. You may need them in the future.
With all this said, the CDC states that the following symptoms are often seen in people with TBI. However, keep in mind that you probably won’t experience all the symptoms. There’s no single symptom that will allow you to diagnose yourself with TBI.
A mild TBI or concussion symptoms usually last for a few days through a few weeks, although it’s possible they can last much longer. Typically, after your doctor has examined you, you’ll be told to rest for a period of time so you can begin to heal.
However you should still see a doctor even if your symptoms are mild. It’s best to be evaluated by a professional who can make sure that you’re receiving the best care for your symptoms. Suppose you refused medical treatment when your potential TBI happened. In that case, you can always go to your doctor or the emergency room, even if it’s days or weeks after the accident.
Remember, it’s always better to get checked out by a doctor. Don’t try to diagnose yourself. Doctors have specialized tools and knowledge, and they’re in a much better position than you to determine exactly what happened and ensure the smoothest recovery.
Your TBI might have been caused by someone else’s negligence. If this is the case, you might be able to receive compensation from them. Consulting a lawyer is the first step in this process.
Much like your doctor, a lawyer is a professional who can help you navigate a system you might be unfamiliar with.
Many lawyers offer free initial consultations, and some don’t collect any fees from you unless they win your case. Speaking with one of these lawyers really is no-risk. You benefit from their advice and professional judgment, and you can decide what to do next from there.
You don’t have to file your case immediately after the accident. Most states have a statute of limitations between two and four years. That means that, even if your TBI happened a while ago, you might still have time to start a case.
Once again, it’s best to have a professional evaluate your case. Your lawyer will be well-versed in the law affecting your personal case.
Remember: when in doubt, contact a professional. For medical issues, see a doctor, even if it’s after the fact. For legal issues, speak with an attorney. You might be due compensation for your medical bills and more. If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
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