Each year in the United States, 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and more than half a million are permanently disabled as a result. Last year, over 15,000 people visited emergency rooms and hospitals with a TBI-related injury in the Bluegrass State, according to the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky (BIAK).
TBI often results from a severe blow to the head or body, and auto crashes are one of the most common causes. Permanent or severe brain injuries can result when collisions occur involving automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.
Recognizing the symptoms
Getting prompt medical attention is crucial to avoiding complications for brain injuries. Look for signs including:
- Losing consciousness for minutes or hours
- Vomiting or intense nausea
- Dilated pupils in one or both eyes
- Persistent headaches
- Seizures or convulsions
- Numbness or weakness in toes or fingers
- Significant confusion
- Slurred speech
- Mood swings, anxiety or other behavioral changes
Lack of medical treatment can lead to complications
Sometimes, the signs of a brain injury will linger for weeks or months before people go to a doctor, and they develop post-concussive symptoms:
- Paralysis of facial muscles and losing sensation in the face
- Loss or altered sense of smell and taste
- Vision loss or double vision
- Trouble swallowing
- Dizziness
- Hearing loss or tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears
Protect your health and seek compensation
The Mayo Clinic says brain injuries are possible in crashes involving speeds as low as 14 mph. That’s why it’s crucial for you to get checked by a doctor if you’ve been involved in an accident. Traumatic brain injuries can be fatal or cause long-lasting and even permanent injuries creating massive medical debt, lost wages and other related expenses. If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, an experienced personal injury attorney here in Kentucky can help you recover the compensation you deserve.