It’s common for a person involved in a car accident to seem perfectly normal after the accident but then to deteriorate. The person may be suffering from a traumatic brain injury at the time of the crash.
Approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year in the United States. Most quickly recover, but 125,000 people suffer some type of permanent injury from the TBI.
Traumatic brain injuries are caused by a hard blow to the head. In a TBI injury, brain tissue is bruised. Bleeding can occur inside the brain. Brain lacerations or nerve damage may have occurred. Additionally, swelling can cause other types of damage.
Because of the hidden nature of the injuries, the accident victim most often thinks that everything is fine. Unfortunately, a TBI affects the way a person thinks, feels, and ultimately how he or she acts in the world. Symptoms may not be noticeable at first, but loved ones will often notice a change in a person’s behavior. In extreme cases of TBI stemming from a car crash or other blow to the head, a person can actually die from this type of injury.
Cognitive symptoms of TBI That Go Unrecognized
- Memory problems
- Problems concentrating
- Deficits in language use and visual perception
- Difficulty with abstract reasoning, problem-solving, planning, organization, and processing information.
Behavioral Symptoms of TBI
A person’s behavior may change after suffering a TBI in a car crash. For example, a gentle person who never cursed may become increasingly aggressive and swear. Other TBI behavior signs include:
- Impulsivity
- Increased physical aggression
- Anxiety
- Trouble controlling emotions
- The shift in sexual functioning
- Lack of inhibition
Neurological Symptoms of TBI
The motor, autonomic, and sensory brain functions may be affected by a TBI. The onset types of problems can be weeks or even months after the initial car accident trauma. Conditions also include:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Sleep disorders
- Movement disorders
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Columbia, Maryland
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident because of someone else’s careless actions, you may have a right to seek compensation to pay for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and other types of damages. To schedule an appointment with an experienced personal injury attorney at the Smith Personal Injury Firm, in Columbia, Maryland, call (410) 441-5054 or contact us online.