Car accidents second leading cause of traumatic brain injury deaths
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries, which can have a significant effect on peoples' lives.
The moments following a car accident in Connecticut can be overwhelming. Whether involved in a catastrophic collision or a less severe fender bender, accident victims may suffer from significant injuries, such as broken bones, lacerations, spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the third leading cause of traumatic brain injuries and the second leading cause of deaths involving traumatic brain injuries. The sudden impact caused by a minor, moderate or severe motor vehicle accident can result serious brain injuries. Some of these injuries may have a substantial effect on peoples' lives for years to come.
Identifying TBI in car accident victims
Some brain injuries are easy to detect because there may be prominent and severe symptoms indicating that there is a problem. These may include seizures, numbness or tingling in the extremities, loss of consciousness, intense headaches, slurred speech and extreme nausea and vomiting, as reported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries are also more likely to show up on a CT scan or MRI.
Mild cases of TBI, on the other hand, are often more difficult to diagnose, as they may not appear on traditional screening tests. The symptoms, including confusion, dizziness, fatigue and changes in behavior, can also be less noticeable or may be mistaken for another condition. While instances of mild TBI have been overlooked in the past, a study published in Neurology reported that cases of mild TBI can have lasting cognitive effects on injured victims. Mild traumatic brain injuries can cause damage to the brain's white matter, which can change the way people process language and retain memory, according to a Fox News report.
Prognosis and treatment options
Since brain swelling and inflammation can continue for several days following the initial car accident, injured victims should receive medical attention as soon as possible. Physicians can minimize the swelling and therefore, limit the amount of damage done to the brain. Doctors will then attempt to pinpoint the location of the damage, as well as the severity of the trauma.
Once physicians have diagnosed a patient with TBI, they will create a therapy plan to treat each patient's unique symptoms. This may involve the use of speech, occupational and physical therapists in addition to the patient's physician.
When to contact an attorney
If you suffer from traumatic brain injury or any type of trauma that occurs as a result of a motor vehicle accident, you may want to seek legal assistance from a personal injury attorney in Connecticut. You may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages from work and emotional trauma.