What Happens to Your Body During a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a leading cause of permanent disability and even death following tragic car accidents in Orange County. When you're cruising on the 405 or driving over to the Spectrum for some shopping, you aren't thinking about what might happen to you if a car accident occurred unexpectedly. You're enjoying the nice weather and thinking about what you're going to buy at the mall. Unfortunately, sudden auto accidents have the ability to completely change your life, temporarily or even permanently. One of the more common injuries associated with auto accidents is TBI. Your brain is the most important part of your body. It acts as the command center for all of your organs, your limbs, and your ability to see, hear, speak, smell, and even think. Your brain is incredibly vulnerable in a car accident. A simple fender bender can result in life-altering changes to your ability to perform even the most routine tasks if you suffer a brain injury.
When you are in a car accident, even if you are wearing a seat belt or the air bag deploys, while your body may be kept safely inside the vehicle, the sudden motion caused by the impact may cause your brain to shift. This can result in a concussion or contusion. As a response to injury, your brain will swell. However, brain swelling is extremely dangerous because you have limited room in your skull. Brain swelling can result in severe pressure, cranial bleeding, migraines, and loss of consciousness.
If you hit your head on impact, you can suffer further brain damage. Car accidents are a common cause of TBI because of the severe and sudden impact. Many victims lapse into coma or are deprived of the ability to perform basic function. In addition, TBIs are commonly associated with further brain damage and issues further down the road, including dementia and depression.
Because your brain controls your body, certain body parts may cease to function properly when you suffer a traumatic brain injury. For instance, you may lose your ability to walk even though your spine and limbs are perfectly healthy.
When you feel pain or experience strange side effects such as dizziness, headaches, or blurred vision, you know to visit the doctor immediately after a car accident in Orange County. But what about other people who may be in the car with you, especially small children? Children often do not know what the signs of TBI are and may ignore them. It is important to be cognizant of how to detect early signs of TBI in a child.
These signs include:
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive sleeping
- Depression
- Crying or irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty listening, reading, writing, and speaking
- Memory issues
- Unresponsiveness
Fortunately, traumatic brain injuries can be treated. Many doctors recommend monitoring, rest, medication, and therapy. However, if a traumatic brain injury has affected your ability to perform daily tasks or has hampered a bodily function such as speaking or walking, physical therapy is designed to help you learn how to function in spite of a limitation caused by TBI. In addition, medical researchers have been looking into alternative ways of treating traumatic brain injuries, including:
- Near infrared light therapy
- Combination therapy
- Surgery
Auto Accidents are the number one cause of traumatic brain injury in adults aged 15 to 44. While a TBI caused by an Orange County auto accident cannot be prevented, it can be treated with the marvels of modern medicine. In addition, it is possible to seek compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life caused by the unexpected injury.
Orange County Personal Injury Attorney Scott D. Hughes, can assist you with your traumatic brain injury case and pursue your best course of action. To schedule a free consultation with our Orange County Personal Injury law firm, call (714) 423-6928 today.