Severe and mild traumatic brain injuries after a car accident

Many injuries you might suffer are readily apparent, from scrapes and bruises to broken or severed limbs. However, some of the most difficult injuries to identify and treat can be virtually invisible and may take time to manifest.

If you suffered a blow to the head during a car accident, you may experience many symptoms depending on the severity of your injury. Unfortunately, because the damage is internal and often difficult to observe, you may not immediately know just how serious your injury actually is.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are generally categorized as either severe or mild. Regardless of which you may have suffered, the symptoms can be every bit as debilitating as a more obvious, visible injury like a broken bone.

The first thing you should do if you suffered a blow to the head in an accident is get proper medical treatment. If you put off getting proper medical treatment after a brain injury, the issue may worsen significantly, leading to further injury and greater medical costs.

After you receive medical treatment and stabilize, you may want to consider pursuing fair compensation for your losses through a personal injury claim. When choosing legal representation, be sure to seek out a professional who understands the seriousness of TBIs and how to fully explore how your injury has affected you.

Brain injuries can mean many kinds of loss

While many injuries can have effects on your body extending outside of the injured area, a brain injury can affect literally every part of your life. Your brain is responsible for directing the functions of every single part of your body as well as your experience as a person.

A severe brain injury can leave you paralyzed, effect the function of your organs, or leave you in a coma. In some cases, a brain injury can be fatal. If you suffered a severe brain injury, it is crucial to get the medical care you need immediately. Putting off proper testing and treatment for a severe brain injury may mean long-term or permanent damage to your ability to function as a person without assistance.

Many TBIs, however, are less severe and more difficult to understand. If you received a mild TBI, it is important to understand that it is mild only in relation to a more severe injury. A mild TBI can scramble your brain just enough to bring your everyday life to a grinding stop.

You may experience physical symptoms like dizziness, prolonged headaches, or even seizures and nausea. If these symptoms persist, maintaining your job and relationships can become very difficult.

Similarly, you may find that you are far more irritable than you were prior to the accident, and are far less able to concentrate on tasks. You may even experience difficulty understanding conversational context, which can lead to many misunderstandings in your personal and work relationships.

If these symptoms don’t seem too bad, consider that even in the case of a mild TBI, they can last up to a year after the injury first occurs. Such difficulties stretched out over a year can make living life nearly impossible, even with proper help.

Build a team for success

The good news is that you do not have to fight this fight alone, no matter how severe or mild your brain injury may be. The guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney can help you explore your opportunities for fair compensation while protecting your rights throughout your recovery and beyond.