Brain Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
August 1, 2017Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones, neck and spine injuries, organ damage, and fatalities. Car accidents are also one of the leading causes of brain injuries. While it is quite clear when a victim has a broken bone or a severe laceration, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not always obvious. The victims may not even realize that they have a brain injury if there are no apparent symptoms immediately following the accident. Moreover, emergency room doctors can misdiagnose brain injuries, which can have devastating consequences as a delay in treatment can allow the injury to progress and even become fatal.
There is a common misconception that brain injuries can only occur as a result of hitting your head against another object or that the person must be knocked unconscious to sustain a brain injury. However, car accident victims can suffer brain injuries even if they were involved in a minor wreck. If the impact causes a person’s brain to hit their skull, the victim may suffer a brain injury without their head actually hitting any part of the car. This can be extremely dangerous as it can cause the brain to bleed and swell.
Common Symptoms of Brain Injuries
It is not uncommon for brain injury victims to be able to walk and talk normally immediately following an accident. Unfortunately, this makes it very difficult to diagnose the injury, which can cause treatment to be delayed for days, or even weeks after a car accident. There are some common symptoms associated with brain injuries that car accident victims and their loved ones should be aware of to obtain the medical treatment they need. The following are examples of common brain injury symptoms:
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Memory loss
- Numbness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Difficulty walking or balancing
- Sensitivity to lights and sounds
If a car accident victim sustains a concussion, it is possible that they may suffer from a mild form of a traumatic brain injury known as post-concussive syndrome. Symptoms include personality changes, aggression, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, depression, and insomnia. Some of these symptoms may present themselves immediately following a car wreck, while others may not appear until months later.
Steps to Take Following a Car Accident
If left undiagnosed and untreated, a brain injury can be fatal. Therefore, it is crucial that accident victims seek medical attention immediately if they have sustained any injuries at all. A medical professional can run a series of tests to determine whether a person has a brain injury. The earlier a brain injury is detected and treated, the more likely it is that the victim will recover and avoid serious, even permanent damage.
Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims Injured in Car Wrecks
If you or a loved one has suffered from a brain injury as a result of a car accident, you are urged to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Brain injuries can be devastating, particularly if there is permanent damage. Our dedicated team has a proven track record of securing the maximum financial compensation for car accident victims. We will not stop fighting until justice has been served. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.