Car crashes can lead to a host of injuries, one of which is a traumatic brain injury. Some of these injuries are considered mild and don’t have long-term impacts on the victim. Others are severe and have life-long effects.
Understanding a bit about TBIs can help people who are dealing with one. It may also behoove family members to learn more about these injuries.
#1: A blow to the head isn’t necessary
Many people assume that you need to hit your head to suffer a TBI. This isn’t the case. The violent force of the impact can lead to the brain slamming into the skull, which can cause severe damage if the impact is hard enough. Because of this, anyone who’s involved in a crash should keep an eye out for symptoms of a brain injury.
#2: Symptoms might be delayed
The symptoms of a TBI might not occur right away. They may be delayed for days or weeks. Some of the more common symptoms of a TBI include:
- Headache that doesn’t go away even with rest or medication
- Changes in vision, including seeing spots or objects becoming blurry
- Ringing in the ears
- Altered sleep patterns, including inability to sleep or sleeping more
- Mood swings that occur without warning
- Difficulty with communication, including speech and hearing
- Problems with short-term and long-term memory
#3: Working might be difficult or impossible
Suffering from a TBI can mean that you’re unable to work. Some people might be able to have their employer provide specific accommodations that enable them to do their job duties effectively. Still, the uptick in doctor’s appointments and other care needs might make working difficult.
Brain injuries always require immediate medical attention, which can be very costly. For individuals who are harmed by another person’s negligence, seeking compensation is possible. This is a way to recover the costs of medical bills, missed wages and other related expenses. Oregon sets time limits for these cases so be sure that you don’t wait too long to take legal action.