One of the most severe consequences arising from a California car crash is a traumatic brain injury (TBI.) This type of injury happens when a sharp object penetrates the skull or the brain moves from side to side upon impact. TBI victims may experience injuries ranging from a mild concussion to a lifetime disability.
Types of brain injuries
Damage to the brain can occur upon impact or develop days later. That’s why seeing a doctor is essential even if you are not experiencing symptoms. A brain scan could indicate a developing problem that medical intervention might control before it worsens.
Primary injuries are directly related to the injury. These include a concussion, skull fracture and bleeding. On the other hand, secondary injuries are the subsequent results of an injury. Continued bleeding leads to increased tissue damage and additional brain swelling. Infections sometimes develop over time, and nerve cells often suffer extensive damage.
Deficits displayed after an injury
Symptoms depend on what part of the brain suffers damage during car crashes. Memory, motor, sensory, emotional and language centers reside in different portions of the brain. For example, your only symptom may be amnesia, or you might have difficulty seeing. Perhaps you experience trouble walking or speaking. The passage of time might heal some of these symptoms. Once the swelling in the brain lessens, recovery may begin, and the patient steadily improves. Other individuals, however, may need years of therapy to regain lost skills.
TBI treatments
Sometimes, a doctor will perform brain surgery to remove a penetrating object or relieve brain pressure. For others, rehabilitation may suffice. Rehabilitation treatment could begin in the hospital if the victim becomes an in-patient. It can also occur at home or in an outpatient rehabilitation center. Whatever you need, an army of specialists is available to help you. Support ranges from physical therapy to neurological and psychological treatments.
Treatments aren’t cheap, and your insurance may not cover everything. If you have been involved in an auto accident resulting in a TBI, please contact The Law Office of Aman N. Shah to learn about your options.