While you may be fortunate to emerge from a motor vehicle accident with minor injuries, there is always the chance you or your loved one will be left with a very different life after a serious crash. Broken bones, internal injuries and spinal cord injuries are all common following a catastrophic accident, especially if the accident involves high speeds or a large vehicle. Perhaps one of the most devastating injuries possible is a brain injury.
A traumatic brain injury can rob you of your freedom, your mobility and even your very personality. Depending on the area of the brain and the severity of the injury, your life may never be the same.
Brain trauma is not always evident
A brain injury may occur even if you do not suffer a blow to the head. If your body is shaken or jerked sharply, your brain may bounce against the inside of your skull, resulting in a concussion, a tear in your brain structures, severe bruising requiring surgical removal or a coup-contrecoup injury in which your brain strikes multiple sides of the skull. If you lose consciousness at the time of the accident, you should waste no time getting medical assistance.
However, because these injuries occur inside your head, they are not always obvious, even to the victim. In fact, you may suffer a serious head injury without feeling any symptoms at all at the time of the accident, and only after time passes, experience disturbing signs such as these or others:
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Unexplained headaches, nausea or dizziness
- Exhaustion, lethargy or slowness in responses
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Inability to control your emotions
- Uneven pupils
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Loss of balance and coordination
These or other symptoms may emerge days or even weeks after the accident, which is why it is always wise to have a complete medical examination if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, even if you feel well. If medical technicians on the scene offer an evaluation, you would be smart to follow up with your own physician as soon as possible.
Additionally, you may find it helpful to seek the counsel of a Tennessee legal advocate who has experience in assisting victims of motor vehicle accidents and catastrophic injuries. A traumatic brain injury may require expensive and ongoing treatment, and you will want the guidance of an attorney who will seek the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.
