Key Point of This Article:
- Nearly 176 people die from traumatic brain injuries every day
- TBIs and TBI symptoms can range from mild to severe
- A Michigan TBI attorney can help you get the full and fair settlement you deserve
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a severe condition that should not be taken lightly. According to the CDC, around 176 people in America die from TBI-related injuries every day.
Though some TBIs can be minor, it is still vital that anyone who suffers from this type of injury gets checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Even minor TBIs can result in further damage or complications if they are not appropriately treated.
A severe TBI often requires emergency medical attention and can lead to death if not treated in time. So no matter how you are feeling after injuring your head, you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible to be safe.
In some cases, TBI symptoms might not be immediately apparent, but if you wait until symptoms appear, it could be too late. However, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a TBI after a car accident to help you know when emergency treatment is needed. But again, even if you don’t notice symptoms immediately, you should still get checked out by a doctor just to be safe.
Our attorneys can assist you if you are suffering from a TBI after a car accident in Michigan. At The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we have years of experience handling a wide variety of Detroit car accident cases and know what it takes to ensure our clients get the support and compensation they deserve.
How Does TBI After a Detroit Car Accident Happen?
There are many kinds of injuries a person can sustain after a car accident, but TBIs tend to be very common. This is because you don’t necessarily have to hit your head against something to sustain a traumatic brain injury. A TBI can occur either from a violent physical blow to the head or it can occur when the head is violently jostled or whipped back and forth. Whiplash, for example, is a common kind of injury that occurs in car accidents that can affect both the brain and the neck.
Two different types of TBIs can occur after a car accident:
- Closed TBI: A closed brain injury occurs after a car accident when the brain becomes injured without the skull being broken. This type of TBI usually happens when the force of impact in a car accident causes the head to shake or whip back and forth rapidly, which can cause bruising, tearing, and even bleeding in the brain.
- Penetrating TBI: A penetrating brain injury occurs after a car accident when the head physically hits something, and the skull is broken. This type of brain injury can result in bruising, tearing, and bleeding in the brain, but the brain can also be punctured.
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
TBI symptoms after a car accident can vary depending on the extent of the injury. People can have physical, sensory, and even cognitive symptoms.
Mild TBI symptoms can include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty speaking
- Dizziness
- Loss of coordination
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Changes in taste and smell
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes
- Memory or concentration difficulties
- Mood changes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Excessive sleeping
Moderate to severe TBI symptoms can include any of the symptoms of a mild TBI with the addition of:
- Loss of consciousness for several minutes to hours
- Severe and persistent headaches
- Uncontrollable nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Dilated pupils
- Clear fluids draining from the ears
- Unable to wake from sleep
- Weakness
- Numbness in extremities
- Loss of coordination
- Severe confusion
- Agitation of aggressive behavior
- Slurred speech
- Falling into a coma
Whether the symptoms of TBI are mild or severe, you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible. Severe brain injuries can present as mild initially and then worsen over time. So the sooner you get treatment, the less likely you will develop any complications, and the less catastrophic injuries such as a prolonged coma, vegetative state, or brain death will occer.
Treatment for TBI After a Car Accident
To diagnose a TBI after a car accident, the doctor will likely order a CT scan or an MRI to get a better idea of the damage that has occurred. Once the doctor determines how severe the injury is, they will suggest the appropriate treatment option.
For mild TBIs, treatment might simply involve rest, limited physical activity, and pain relievers for headaches. However, they may still ask that you keep a close eye on your symptoms and check back in frequently to make sure the injury isn’t worsening.
Severe TBIs will require emergency medical care, which can include surgery, anti-seizure meds, coma-inducing meds, diuretics, and rehabilitation after treatment. For some TBI cases, rehab and treatment may be required long-term as the brain injury could affect you for the rest of your life.
TBI Car Accident Settlements
Treatment for a TBI can get quite expensive, not to mention how the injury can impact your daily life. For this reason, it’s important that you work with an attorney to ensure you get the highest settlement possible for your personal injury case.
When you file a Detroit personal injury claim, various factors can affect how much money you are awarded, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Your lawyer will help you provide all necessary information and evidence to ensure the court or insurance company knows just how much the TBI has affected your life and financial situation. Without an attorney, it is not uncommon for insurance companies to try to get away with offering reduced settlements that do not fully compensate the victim for all they have suffered. So make sure you contact an attorney as soon as possible to get help with your case.
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm: Helping Victims of TBI in Detroit and Michigan
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident on its own can be challenging, let alone dealing with an accident case when you are suffering from a brain injury. Our team of experienced TBI attorneys can help you file your claim so you can focus on your rest and recovery. We will do everything we can to get you the full and fair settlement you deserve.
Call our Michigan TBI lawyers at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or contact us online. Our consultations are free and confidential, and you’ll pay nothing until we settle your TBI case.
