Car crashes can lead to significant injuries, some of which are catastrophic. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one that can have a considerable impact on a person’s life. Some of the more serious injuries can lead to an inability to work.
Many people assume that a traumatic brain injury only happens when there’s a visible blow to the skull, but that’s not always the case. TBIs can occur from any event that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull.
Car accidents can cause the brain to slam into the inner walls of the skull, leading to bruising, bleeding or other internal damage. These injuries can happen even when there’s no obvious external wound
Symptoms may take a while to appear
Another reason TBIs can be so dangerous is that symptoms often don’t show up right away. It’s not uncommon for someone to feel “off” for a few days, only to later experience headaches, confusion, memory issues, mood swings or sleep disturbances. In some cases, symptoms might take a week or more to fully develop. This delayed onset can make it harder to recognize the injury and seek timely medical help.
The medical care necessary after a TBI can be extensive and costly. Victims may have trouble with finances because of the increase in expenses and decrease in income. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim from the driver who caused the crash. State law limits the time a person has to get this started, so it might be beneficial to work with someone familiar with these matters.