Car Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a major cause of death in the United States, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. TBI survivors may also face lifelong consequences, such as impaired thinking or movement. Because a TBI often involves extensive medical care, it can be a very expensive injury.

A TBI usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body, like in a car accident. In fact, car crashes are a common cause of TBIs. Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible if you or a loved one suffers a TBI in a car accident.

Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

According to the Mayo Clinic, some symptoms appear immediately after sustaining a TBI while others may appear gradually. Signs and symptoms of mild TBI include:

• Loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes,
• Headache,
• Nausea or vomiting,
• Speech problems
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual,
• Dizziness or blurred vision,
• Ringing in the ears,
• Memory problems, and
• Mood changes.

Signs and symptoms of moderate to severe TBIs include:

• Loss consciousness for several minutes or hours;
• Persistent headache;
• Persistent nausea or vomiting;
• Convulsions or seizures;
• Pupil dilation;
• Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes, and loss of coordination;
• Coma;
• Confusion, agitation, or other unusual behavior; and
• Slurred speech.

Infants and young children may display different symptoms, such as persistent crying or a change in nursing or eating habits. Seek medical attention immediately if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of a TBI.

Real-Life TBI Injuries

A 4-year-old Benton girl died in November 2017, a week after sustaining severe brain trauma in a car accident. The child’s mother, Morgan Grantham, was making a left-hand turn when another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into them. The impact threw the child from her booster seat. She spent a week in the hospital before succumbing to her injuries.

In 2013, Lacy, a high school graduate almost died after suffering traumatic brain trauma, a collapsed lung and other injuries in a car accident. Lacy was a passenger in a car t-boned by a truck, which struck exactly where Lacy sat. Doctors didn’t think she would survive, but she miraculously pulled through. The recovery was long, and Lacy had to re-learn how to read, write and even dress herself. But she beat the odds, and four years later she graduated from college.

In November 2017, police found a badly injured man lying on a road in Ascension Parish. He was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. An autopsy concluded that he died from brain damage and other injuries caused by blunt force trauma. Authorities suspect that he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident.

In all of these cases, the victims have the right to pursue compensation for their personal injuries or for their loved one’s wrongful death.

Contact Us Today

Contact Patrick Yancey Law Firm today for a free consultation if you or a loved one have sustained brain trauma in a car accident. Our experienced attorneys will help recover the compensation that you deserve for those injuries.