When an individual is involved in a severe accident, they could sustain many types of injuries. Like accidents, the injuries can range in severity from minor scratches to significant, life-threatening medical issues.

Traumatic brain injuries fall in the latter of these two categories and could leave people with permanent complications. Unfortunately, neurological injuries are common and impact millions of families every year. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Between 2.5 million and 3 million people annually visit a healthcare center for concerns about a head injury.
• More than 300,000 of these people are children aged 19 or younger.
• In 2013, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) contributed to nearly 50,000 fatalities.
• An additional 300,000 people ended up being hospitalized for a TBI.

These statistics serve to highlight the severity of TBIs. If someone suffers an impact on the head, it is vital to seek medical care as quickly as possible.

There are several different types of traumatic brain injuries. In general, a traumatic brain injury stems from a blow to the head that disrupts the neurons’ normal function inside the skull. While not every head impact will cause a TBI, severe blows can cause someone to lose consciousness, suffer memory loss, or die. Some of the types of traumatic brain injuries include:

• Concussions
• Cerebral contusions
• Skull fractures
• Intracerebral hemorrhages
• Brain herniation

It is essential to accurately diagnose these various types of TBIs so that the individual can receive the necessary medical care.

Any activity or event that places a person at risk of sustaining an impact on the head or neck area could lead to a TBI. Some of the most common ways that this occurs include:

• Being involved in an auto accident where someone strikes their head on a hard surface, such as the dashboard or the steering wheel.
• Playing contact sports, including football, lacrosse, and rugby.
• Suffering slip and fall injury on a staircase, an icy sidewalk, or a wet floor.
• Being struck by a motor vehicle and suffering severe pedestrian injuries.

Any of these could result in a TBI. Signs and symptoms to watch out for include a loss of consciousness, confusion, disorientation, vomiting, and an intractable headache. People must go to the emergency department immediately if these symptoms occur after a traumatic accident.

If someone arrives at a hospital experiencing the above symptoms, treatment of this injury must start immediately. This begins with obtaining a proper diagnosis. CT scans and MRI imaging could localize the head injury inside the skull. Then, individuals could require emergent surgery to relieve the swelling inside the brain, stop the bleeding, and stabilize the individual. Treating a TBI does not end when someone leaves the hospital, and physical therapy and rehabilitation may help someone restore some of the previously lost functions.

Treatment depends on the type of brain injury a person sustains. Watch the video below to learn more about what some doctors are doing to treat TBIs.

Traumatic brain injuries are stressful for all families, and there is a lot of uncertainty regarding just how severe a TBI is and what the future holds. With this in mind, meeting with a traumatic brain injury lawyer in Turlock can help families navigate this difficult situation. Some of the ways that a personal injury lawyer can help with a traumatic brain injury case include:

• Serving as an unbiased and objective decision-maker during a difficult time.
• Helping families seek damages related to their brain injury, pain, and suffering.
• Reviewing the accident records to make sure that all details have been considered.

No family should ever feel like they must go through this situation alone. Speaking with a Turlock brain injury attorney can help families find answers. Do not hesitate to reach out with any concerns. Your family could be entitled to a financial reward.

If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need an injury lawyer to protect your best interests. Call our Turlock brain injury attorneys at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice. See our verdicts and settlements case history.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 10.10.23] Image Credit: Weksart on Pixabay.com dr cha [cs 739]}