Hiring a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Head Injuries after a Trucking Accident
Collisions with tractor trailers or semi-trucks can result in significant injury to the driver and passengers of the smaller vehicle. The size and weight disparity between an 18-wheeler and a regular car can turn even a fender bender into an urgent medical situation. Unfortunately, some of the most common injuries that occur as a result of a trucking accident are to the head and brain. These can have long-lasting consequences and result in severe impairment. As you recover, it is crucial that you consult with a traumatic brain injury attorney to ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, occurs after a sudden impact or violent jolt to the head. As the name suggests, there is trauma directly to the brain, usually in the form of hematomas (damaged blood vessels) or bruising.
The prognosis and treatment for traumatic brain injuries depends on the severity and location of the trauma. However, about half of all severe TBI patients will require surgery to remove bleeding or damaged tissue.
TBI’s are most common after car accidents or sporting injuries. However, gunshot wounds or other objects that penetrate the skull into the brain may also cause a TBI.
The CDC reports an estimated 223,000 individual hospitalizations in 2019 as a result of traumatic brain injuries. In 2020, 176 people died every day as a result of TBI, making it one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
Even mild cases of TBI can be disruptive to your quality of life. Common symptoms affect both your physical and mental health. These include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Vertigo
- Aphasia (loss of speech)
- Light and sound sensitivity
- Blurry vision
- Anxiety or depression
- Memory problems
- Disorientation
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
In more severe TBI cases, these symptoms persist, and can be permanently disabling. Moderate to severe TBI symptoms may also include advanced signs of brain injury, such as:
- Seizures
- Clear fluids draining from nose or ears
- Numbness or weakness in extremities
- Loss of consciousness
- Coordination issues
- Coma
How Soon Do You Notice TBI Symptoms?
The symptoms you experience and their time frame will depend upon the extent of your injuries. Some symptoms, like pain and bruising, may appear almost immediately. Others can take days or even weeks to develop. This is why it is crucial that you seek medical care immediately following an accident. Even though you may not be experiencing extreme symptoms, imaging and other tests can help reduce the likelihood of more severe pathology emerging.
How is Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosed?
Your healthcare providers will use a combination of patient history, physical exam, lab tests, and imaging studies to diagnose a TBI. You will be interviewed about the circumstances of the accident, and a CT or MRI will likely be ordered to look for signs of swelling or bleeding in the brain. If pressure is detected, your doctor may order that a monitor be inserted to help stabilize swelling and fluid levels.
Treatment for TBI After an Accident
Again, the treatment for a traumatic brain injury will depend on the severity and presentation of symptoms. Mild injury may require only rest and monitoring. More severe injury may require surgery, medications, and rehabilitation, among other therapies.
When to Hire an Lawyer for Traumatic Brain Injury
If your TBI was caused due to the negligence of another, you should speak to an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney as soon as possible. You will need to carefully document your TBI recovery, as well as any other injuries and property damage that occurred as a result of the accident. Your lawyer can help you do this and negotiate with the at-fault party on your behalf while you focus on getting better.
If you have suffered a TBI in Colorado as a result of a trucking or motor vehicle accident, contact Dave Roth with the Roth Group. Dave is a passionate personal injury attorney with years of experience fighting for clients in and out of the courtroom. Call or go online today to schedule your free consultation.