Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a contributing cause of death in about 30% of all fatal auto accidents, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
About 150 people die every day in America due to TBI, and many of these head injuries are due to the negligence or carelessness of another. When someone else is responsible for the injury, the injured person (or his or her family) has a right to be compensated for the losses that are associated with that injury. For instance, there may be lost income, high medical expenses, pain and suffering, and many other types of damages after a personal injury lawyer in Long Island.
TBI Prevalence in the U.S.
The CDC reports that TBIs are quite common in the U.S. For instance, in total (from car accidents and all other causes), each year there are:
- 52,000 deaths
- 275,000 hospitalizations (admissions)
- 365 million TBIs treated in the ER
- $60 billion in direct and indirect costs due to TBIs
How a Traumatic Brain Injury Happens
There are several key ways that a person can sustain a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. According the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a TBI is caused when there is a sudden event that injures the brain. There are a few common and a few less common ways that this can happen.
- Blows to the head, such as those sustained as a result of car wrecks, gunshots, and assaults
- Explosions, like those experienced by soldiers in combat.
- Shaking injuries, such as those sustained in car accident. You can suffer a TBI, even if your head does not strike anything. Just the violent shaking of the brain inside of your skull can create a TBI. This is less common, but in severe accidents, it can occur.
Signs and Symptoms of a Head Injury
If you have been involved in a traumatic event, then you should be checked out by a licensed healthcare professional, preferably someone who regularly treats concussions and traumatic head injuries. Warning signs of a traumatic brain injury may include:
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Memory problems
- Mood or behavioral changes
- Irritability
- Hearing difficulty
- Sensory issues (sensitivity to light or noise)
- Speech or language difficulty
Treatment for TBI
If your doctor suspects a TBI, he or she will likely refer you for diagnostic tests, which may include MRI, CT Scans, and other types of tests to determine whether you have suffered a concussion, TBI, or other type of head or brain trauma. Generally, a neurologist or neurosurgeon will want to evaluate you to determine whether you are a candidate for surgery or if more conservative treatment may be appropriate. Either way, if you have suffered your injuries due to a car accident, you should make your attorney aware of your treatment at all times.
Get Compensated for Your Car Accident Traumatic Brain Injury – Speak to a Long Island Head Injury Lawyer Immediately
If a negligent driver caused your head injury, then you need aggressive and experienced legal help today. Call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP and ask to speak to head injury attorney Richard Jaffe to discuss your options and learn more about your rights. From our convenient office in New Hyde Park, we help injured New Yorkers throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County and the surrounding Long Island areas. Reach us 24/7 on our emergency line at (866) 580-1960 for your free consultation.
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