When one has just been involved in a car or truck accident, one’s life can change dramatically from that point forward. In addition to the obvious property damage and injuries, there may be more harm to an accident victim’s body that the victim may or may not even realize. In some instances it may be possible to suffer traumatic brain injury without realizing it far after the fact. Victims of a head injury caused by another’s negligence can consult with a Delaware personal injury attorney to learn more about accident compensation.
One fact about traumatic brain injury that many may not know is that it comes in severe, moderate and mild forms. Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, generally strikes when a person suffers a sudden and violent blow to the head. Not surprisingly, car and truck accidents are common causes of TBI. After a wreck, a person who has mild TBI may experience a short loss of consciousness or might even remain conscious during the injury. There are numerous symptoms of mild TBI, including headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, a lethargic feeling or shifts in mood or behavior, fatigue and confusion. More symptoms of a mild TBI include a bad taste in one’s mouth and blurred vision.
An individual who has been hit in the head and has more severe TBI might experience all of the above symptoms as well as convulsions and seizures, nausea and vomiting, the inability to wake up from periods of sleep, numb extremities and slurring of speech. Those who suffer a severe TBI might also exhibit dilation of their pupils and increasing agitation, restlessness and loss of coordination.
Unfortunately, once a person has already experienced the head injury that leads to TBI, it’s often impossible to reverse that initial damage. Thus, medical professionals typically try to focus on stabilizing the state of the accident victim and staving off additional damage. An accident victim who experiences the above symptoms may wish to discuss their diagnosis with an experienced accident attorney.
Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “NINDS Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page,” accessed Jan. 8, 2016
