What You Need to Know About Traumatic Brain Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

According to the VA, approximately 1.4 million people a year sustain a traumatic brain injury in the United States. A traumatic brain injury is a dysfunction in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a car accident. The third overall cause of traumatic brain injuries are vehicle traffic accidents, just behind falls and being struck by an object. For example, a traumatic brain injury can occur when the skull strikes the steering wheel, or even due to whiplash. Such damage to the brain can cause impaired physical, cognitive (thinking and learning), behavioral, and emotional function. If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury from a car accident, the results can range from mild, to devastating and even deadly.

Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Some signs of a traumatic brain injury include unconsciousness, loss of memory, headache, dizziness, blurry vision, nausea and vomiting, slurred speech, limb weakness or numbness, and the inability to wake up. A healthcare provider will diagnose a traumatic brain injury by assessing the patient's clinical signs and symptoms and viewing radiological studies such as CT or MRI. However, sometimes mild traumatic brain injuries can go undiagnosed. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if you are in a car accident.

How to Avoid a Traumatic Brain Injury While in the Car

You can decrease your risk of a traumatic brain injury via car accident by the following ways:

Wear your seatbelt: Always wear your seatbelt in a moving motor vehicle. Even if you are a safe driver, not travelling far, or sitting in the backseat, you decrease your risk of hitting your head if you are involved in an accident.

Place your Child in a Safety Seat: Keep your little ones' safe. ​Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat according to California law. Find out more about child safety seats here https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Programs/Child-Safety-Seats

Safe Driving Practices: Distracted driving and driving under the influence are major causes of car accidents. Practicing safe driving skills decreases your risk of injury to you and others around you. Save the texting for when you park, and pay attention to your surroundings.

If you have been in an accident and you were diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, contact an Orange County attorney experienced in car accident cases involving traumatic brain injuries. The attorneys at the Law Office of Scott D. Hughes have years of experience representing individuals in car accident cases with traumatic brain injuries. Contact the Law Offices of Scott D. Hughes today at 714-423-6930 for your free consultation.