Car crashes may tragically result in brain injury.
The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that physicians can help to appropriately identify, diagnose and manage traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion.
A Phoenix, Arizona personal injury lawyer may be able to help a head injury victim deal with the adverse party’s insurance carrier, litigation of the claim may be necessary.
The term mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is used interchangeably with the term concussion. MTBI is caused by a jolt or blow to the head, which disrupts the functions of the brain.
There may or may not be findings on a CT Scan or MRI. The MTBI may result in various physical, cognitive, or emotional symptoms. There may or may not have been loss of consciousness.
Common physical symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, dizziness, visual problems, fatigue, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to noise, numbness/tingling, dazed or stunned.
Cognitive symptoms may include feeling mentally “foggy,” feeling slowed down, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering, forgetful of recent information or conversations, confused about recent events, answering questions slowly, or repeating questions. There may be memory loss for events before the injury, also known as retrograde amnesia. There may be amnesia for events after the injury, also referred to as post traumatic amnesia.
Emotional symptoms may include irritability, being more emotional, sadness, or nervousness.
Drowsiness, sleeping less than usual, more than usual may also occur as a result of MTBI.
The duration of symptoms is variable, it can last for minutes, days, weeks, months or longer. Symptoms that last beyond three months may be a sign of post concussion syndrome.
Individuals with a history of concussion are at an increased risk of sustaining a subsequent concussion.
Proper diagnosis and management by a physician including a neurologist, or a neuropsychologist may help the patient’s recovery.
If a person is injured as a result of another’s negligence, such as from a car crash, representation by an Arizona personal injury attorney may be critical.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from The Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC for their insight into brain injury and car crashes.