Head injuries vary depending on the severity, affected part, and how it was acquired. In many cases, the injuries will affect the brain. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by an outside force leading to brain dysfunction. Perhaps unsurprisingly, motor vehicle accidents are among the leading causes of TBI.
How Does TBI Affect Your Life?
The effects of TBI vary. If it affects the forehead, patients may have problem-solving, judgment, and reasoning problems, making them engage in risky behaviors. On the other hand, left side trauma can affect speech and logic. In this case, the individual has difficulties talking or understanding.
Traumatic head injury can cause disability. In fact, 1 in 60 Americans lives with a TBI-related disability. This means that if your loved one suffers these injuries, they will require a caregiver. Remember, the victim might be unable to work again. Although patients can recover and make life-changing progress, the treatment might be costly.
It is only fair that you get the proper compensation to cater to essential needs and therapy. Unfortunately, making a claim often requires going through complex court processes. To make it easier and ensure a fair settlement, it is imperative that you get a seasoned and competent auto accident attorney.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
- Concussion – minor brain injury emanating from an abrupt change in movement or shaking
- Contusion – an injury characterized by a bruise in the brain and a leaking brain vessel
- Penetrating brain injury – the injury occurs when an object makes contact with the brain
- Anoxic brain injury occurs when the oxygen supply to the brain is limited. Brain cells start to die within five minutes if the problem is not addressed.
TBI Severity Levels
In general, traumatic brain injuries are either mild, moderate, or severe.
- Mild – mild injuries cause confusion and sometimes loss of consciousness for a few minutes.
- Moderate – moderate TBI is characterized by weeks-long concussions and unconsciousness extending a few hours. It can lead to permanent behavior, physical and cognitive complications.
- Severe brain injury causes serious damage to the skull. Some of the long-term effects of severe TBI are loss of balance, seizures, memory loss, visual problems, and paralysis.
Long Term Effects
Let’s dig deeper into the long-term effects of TBI.
Frequent Headaches
Headaches, especially migraines, become prevalent after TBI. The most common are cervical headaches, neuralgic pain, migraines, and tension headaches.
Light sensitivity
TBI affects the brain’s ability to adapt to changes in brightness levels. This causes light sensitivity, also known as photophobia, which can continue for up to one year. Tinted glasses come in handy to alleviate this problem.
Cognitive impairments
Another long-term effect is impairing cognitive functions. This means the patient has problems with attention, decision-making, and learning. The good news is that this problem is treatable with cognitive rehabilitation, which helps establish new neural pathways. The patient will therefore be able to process new information.
Depressions and anxiety
TBI victim’s developmental disorders, including depression, and might be accompanied by insomnia and contraction issues. The injury also triggers anger and frustration, making them easily irritable. This is because the injury damages areas that regulate emotions. Luckily, after treatment, they can regain emotional control.
Personality and emotional changes cause personality and relationship difficulties. TBI is associated with divorce and post-traumatic disorders.
TBI Treatment
The good news is that there are various TBI treatments, including occupation therapy, physical medicine, rehab psychology, and speech therapy.
If you or your loved one suffer an auto-related traumatic brain injury, you could be entitled to compensation. Get a reputable auto accident attorney to handle the complex and often demanding court process on your behalf. Breakstone, White, and Gluck can guarantee you a fair settlement.
