The “Invisible” Car Accident Injury: How a TBI Can Affect Your Life
Many people go about their days, completely unaware of the danger that might be waiting around the corner. There are millions of drivers on the road, and every day, hundreds of them are unfortunately in accidents. Sometimes, those accidents are nothing more than a minor fender bender, and people can be on their way within the hour.
However, sometimes people never make it to work, never make it to pick up the children from school, and instead have a drastic life change in the blink of an eye. In Florida alone, there are over 400,000 car accidents per year. And sadly, some of those people have had their lives altered in ways they couldn’t have ever imagined.
Common Injuries Which Can Follow a Car Accident
Many injuries of car accidents might be minor, such as the soreness or stiffness of joints or muscles that tensed up or were shaken up during the accident. However, there is also a list of more serious injuries that can happen, as well. Sometimes muscles or nerves can be damaged because of the accident and may need time or therapy to heal. In addition, there is the risk of broken bones, chief among them being the spine.
In addition to physical injuries, there is also the risk of psychological injuries, in the form of stress or PTSD, that is triggered when around or in cars. Given the common nature of them in society, this can be a drastic and life altering injury. However, one of the more devastating injuries that someone could face because of a car accident is a TBI, or a traumatic brain injury.
What is a TBI?
A TBI is a traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain is bumped or jostled violently against the skull. The sad truth about a TBI is that, even with a mild TBI, the list of possible side effects are debilitating. Headaches, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, and fatigue are all minor symptoms from a TBI, with the symptoms from a more severe TBI being much worse. In the worst case, TBIs can change the personality of the victim because of how drastically they change and damage the overall chemistry of the brain. Seizures, loss of consciousness, the inability to wake from sleep, and other serious side effects are also possible.
The true damage of a TBI lies in that, because of the complicated nature of the brain, it cannot heal as quickly or simply as other injuries. Some people have side effects for months and years afterward, struggling to shake the effects of it. Also, much like concussions, TBIs weaken the overall health of the brain and make it more susceptible to damage in the future.
Were You in a Car Accident in Florida?
The very first thing to do if you suspect you have a TBI is to contact a doctor and get a thorough medical examination. After that, it is important to reach out to an Orlando car accident lawyer. Even if you don’t suspect that you may have sustained a TBI after your car accident, it is still essential that you contact us at Payer Law right away. We can schedule a free, no risk consultation to discuss your case to help you seek the remuneration you deserve for the therapy and treatment you may need after your accident.
Resource:
flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2019.pdf
https://www.payerlawgroup.com/common-causes-and-injuries-in-rollover-car-accidents/
