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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are some of the most common serious injuries associated with car accidents and it's easy to see why; the violent jolting and jostling that occurs in a motor vehicle crash results in conditions ideal for creating this type of head injury. Unfortunately, even mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs)—also known as concussions—can cause significant symptoms and even long-term impairments that require extensive treatment and care.
However, if you or a loved one sustained a TBI in a California car accident caused by another person or entity's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. Are you considering taking legal action for a car crash-related TBI? Here's what you should know.
TBI Types and Symptoms
TBIs are the result of a trauma that disrupts the brain's normal functions. These injuries can cause a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms. Some symptoms may appear immediately, while others can take days or even weeks to present themselves.
Signs and symptoms of a MTBI can include:
- Loss of consciousness for a period lasting a few seconds to a few minutes
- Confusion or disorientation
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Speech difficulties
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping excessively
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Changes in the ability to smell
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Memory issues
- Trouble concentrating
- Depression or anxiety
Car accident victims suffering from moderate to severe TBIs can experience the previously mentioned signs and symptoms, as well as:
- Loss of consciousness that lasts for up to several hours
- Persistent or worsening headache
- Persistent nausea or repeated vomiting
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dilated pupil(s)
- Clear fluid draining from the nose and ears
- Inability to wake from sleep
- Loss of coordination
- Numbness or weakness in the fingers and toes
- Slurred speech
- Profound confusion
- Agitation or combativeness
- Other unusual behaviors
- Coma
TBI Treatments and Support
Under a doctor's supervision, MTBIs often heal on their own with plenty of rest and time. However, if the accident victim sustains a second MTBI before the first has fully healed, it can lead to complications such as repetitive head injury syndrome, which can cause dementia-like symptoms.
Sadly, the prognosis often isn't as bright for accident victims who've suffered a moderate to severe TBI. These victims often require long-term or even lifelong medical and assistive care—the cost of which can quickly become astronomical.
Seeking Compensation for a TBI
The lifetime costs of treating a TBI can range from thousands to millions of dollars, according to a study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. If you sustained a TBI due to someone else's negligence, you or your family shouldn't have to bear this financial burden on your own. Filing a personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- All accident-related medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases, car accident victims with TBIs may be eligible to receive punitive damages—a special type of damages designed to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct.
Consult an Attorney With Experience Handling TBI Cases
If you sustained a TBI in a California car accident caused by another person or entity's negligence, the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys with the Inland Empire Law Group can help you understand your rights and explore avenues for compensation. While a financial settlement can't turn back the clock and prevent your TBI, it can help ensure you have the funds and support you need. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free initial case consultation at (909) 481-0100, or submit your case information online from this website.
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