Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from car accidents can be some of the most initially misleading and eventually debilitating injuries. In the U.S., traumatic brain injuries are a contributing factor of over 30% of all injury-related fatalities. More than 40% of traumatic brain injuries result from car collisions. Traumatic brain injuries do not even require the head to be struck for the damage to happen. The common whipping backward and forward of the neck can cause the brain to be bruised even against the skull that is supposed to protect it. Any suspected injuries need to be taken seriously and TBIs ruled out.
Unfortunately, many victims of accidents don’t consider their injuries to be serious. They may consider nausea, some headache, or confusion to be caused by the stress of an accident. All victims of accidents should be evaluated on the scene by emergency personnel such as emergency medical technicians. Such first responders to the scene can determine at least whether or not the victim has a concussion, alteration to the way the brain functions. However, these first responders are not generally qualified to diagnose or rule out brain trauma. If there is any chance of any head or brain injury at all, even without the head being struck, the victim should be taken to a hospital for full evaluation.
Full evaluation of traumatic brain trauma requires specialists and specific equipment because injuries are often unseen behind the thick, protective skull. Symptoms may not even occur for hours or days after the injury, so there is no way that the victim can determine that he is without injury. Special ways of imaging, such as CT scans, can allow the doctors to see what the eye cannot and diagnose and treat the patient properly.
If any appear, some symptoms of brain trauma might include:
• Loss of consciousness.
• Fixed pupils or differences in pupil size.
• Headaches.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Language and Speech problems.
• Behavior changes.
• Change in or loss of vision.
Long term effects can include a loss of memory, changes in personality or ability to manage emotions, loss of function, coma, or death. If you or your loved one is from a California city, including Pacific Beach, San Diego, or Oakland, and are the victim of an accident caused by another’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer at Ehline Law can help you get medical treatment and evaluation now, and even eventual recompense.