After a car accident, you’re probably looking yourself over, checking for cuts, bruises, and broken bones. You feel fine, but a few days later, you notice you have a headache, and loud sounds and light seem to bother you. You feel tired and are having trouble finding your balance. Is it all stress from the injury? Or has your brain suffered an injury?
It’s difficult to know if you have a brain injury without seeing a professional. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are injuries that affect how the brain works. According to the CDC, 156 Americans die every day due to trauma that includes a brain injury. And, when they are not fatal, brain injuries can incapacitate you for weeks or change your life entirely. The symptoms of a brain injury can occur days, or even weeks, after the trauma itself happens.
So, if you’ve recently been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault and are wondering if you’ve suffered a brain injury, the first thing to do is seek medical treatment. Only a doctor can properly diagnose your injuries.
If you find that you do have a TBI, your next step should be to call the Virginia auto accident attorneys of CHASENBOSCOLO. We have helped hundreds of people with TBIs get the compensation they need to cover their medical bills and other losses from those who wrongfully injured them. We understand your situation, and we want to help you, too. Call us today at (703) 538-1138 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Are There Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Not all TBIs are the same. Some can produce mild symptoms that go away after a few days or weeks, and others can have a lifelong impact. There are several different ‘tiers’ of TBIs, each with its own symptoms and health impacts.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion
A mild TBI can also be called a concussion. Concussions are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Most people associate concussions with athletes. However, anyone can be concussed. Car accidents often cause concussions due to the speed of the vehicles and the force of impact.
Although concussions or mild TBIs are not life-threatening, that does not mean they’re not serious. When the brain twists or jostles in the skull, chemical changes to the brain, as well as brain cell damage, can occur. Even if you think your concussion is mild, it is best to see a medical professional who can recommend treatment and monitor your condition to ensure that you recover.
Symptoms of a concussion are often overlooked by victims, friends, and sometimes by medical professionals. However, even mild trauma to the head can make life difficult for an extended period of time. Symptoms of a mild TBI include sensitivity to light and noise, balance issues, fatigue, headaches, nausea, more or less sleep than normal, a feeling of grogginess, anxiety, and sadness. If you have recently been in a car accident, and have these issues, see a doctor. A healthcare professional will be able to confirm whether you are concussed and recommend treatment.
Moderate or Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
A moderate to severe TBI can be caused by the same events as mild TBIs. Car accidents, falls, and assaults, or other acts of violence are all common causes. However, while mild TBIs or concussions are non-life-threatening and the victim can completely recover, moderate and severe TBIs can be fatal or have lifelong health impacts.
If you survive a moderate to severe TBI, you are likely to have symptoms similar to a chronic illness. These symptoms include difficulty thinking clearly, memory issues, physical weakness, vision and hearing loss, loss of balance and coordination, depression, mood swings, and personality changes. Because a TBI impacts your brain, it can affect virtually every part of who you are and how you live. TBIs can harm your ability to work and your capacity to build relationships. TBIs have also been known to change how a person acts, thinks, reasons, and feels.
If you’ve suffered a TBI, you are at a greater risk of seizures, infection, and pneumonia. Of those with TBI, 57 percent are severely or moderately disabled, 50 percent return to the hospital, and 33 percent need help from others for daily activities.
The Cost of a TBI
TBIs can take an unimaginable toll on your physical and mental health. You may never be the same. But, to make matters worse, TBIs also come with massive medical bills. A TBI might require multiple CAT scans, multiple rounds of treatment, and advanced specialists. Further, in severe cases, TBIs will permanently impact your earning capacity, your ability to work, and your daily living expenses. Therefore, the costs for those with TBIs — mild or severe — can be astronomical. However, you don’t have to get stuck with the bills. If you or someone you love has been in a car accident that was someone else’s fault and might have suffered a TBI, you need to contact an attorney.
An attorney will be able to assess the complete cost of your TBI treatment. They will assess the cost of everything from trips to the emergency room, to long-term physical therapy, to prescription medication, to lost wages, and can determine a monetary value for your pain and suffering. Then your attorney will fight for you to get compensation. After suffering a TBI, your focus should be on receiving high-quality medical care and getting back to your normal life. Your attorney will help you stay organized during this difficult time and work hard to make you financially whole again.
Call CHASENBOSCOLO Today
Traumatic Brain Injuries are expensive to treat, as they often require consultation with or treatment from a neurologist. You do not want to get stuck with the medical bills from an accident that wasn’t your fault.
If you’ve been in a car accident and suspect, or know, you’ve suffered a TBI, call the attorneys of CHASENBOSCOLO at (703) 538-1138 today. We’ve been helping Virginia residents since 1989. Our team of compassionate and dedicated lawyers will help you navigate through the medical bills, questions surrounding liability, and insurance claims. We can go to trial on your behalf, if necessary.
Contact us today to get someone in your corner, fighting for you to get back on your feet. Call (703) 538-1138 now.
