Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Understanding Your Legal Rights in Texas

An estimated $18 billion in lifetime medical expenses and $33 billion in lost wages are attributable to frequent automobile accident injuries in the United States.

If you've ever been in a vehicle accident, you understand how unsettling and terrifying it can be. But, you may not realize that vehicle accidents may result in a variety of physical and mental injuries, including major traumatic brain injuries.

Victims may be left to deal with the physical, financial, and emotional repercussions after a severe car accident. Worse, hundreds of thousands of Texans suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents each year. Every 61 seconds, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, an accident occurs somewhere in the state, meaning that the impact of traumatic brain injuries and other wounds is far-reaching.

What is the Most Common Type of Crash Injury?

With abrupt movement, hits, debris, and more, injuries from automobile accidents may vary from small scratches and bruises to major and life-threatening disorders. Our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience in this area and can tell you that collisions impact each individual differently.

Of course, whiplash is generally the most frequent injury sustained in automobile accidents, along with typical seat belt-related injuries. In contrast, strains, sprains, tissue damage, and bruising account for half of the injuries presented to the ER, but fractured bones account for less than 5% of injuries yet account for half of the hospitalizations.

Furthermore, a vehicle accident can easily cause broken bones and significant soft tissue injury. Often, facial injuries pose extra dangers to the eyes and brain. Neck, hand, and foot joints are all susceptible to injury, and even a seemingly minor collision (or a collision with no visible damage) may result in a traumatic brain injury and paralysis.

In addition, hot vehicle parts or components and any high-temperature liquids in the vehicle might cause disfigurement in the event of a catastrophic crash.

Brain Injuries and Concussions After an Auto Accident

After a vehicle accident or any other type of personal injury incident, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are prevalent and among the most severe possible injuries a person may sustain.

The most common causes of traumatic brain injuries include severe falls, gunshots, and car accidents. Moreover, identifying and diagnosing TBIs is notoriously challenging. Problems with memory and other cognitive and physical abilities may be an early warning sign of more serious brain injury but don't always indicate injury or may not be readily apparent.

Concussions are the least severe kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which includes brain damage from bumps/blows to the head and penetrating injuries. In extreme circumstances, death or long-term health issues are possible.

There are over 2.8 million visits to hospitals and emergency rooms every year because of traumatic brain injuries, and about 50,000 deaths. A concussion causes the brain's quick functioning to slow down suddenly. The brain undergoes deformation as a result of the irregular motion it experiences within the skull. Consequently, the brain's chemistry is frequently altered or disrupted, leading to new problems.

Unsurprisingly, every traumatic brain injury has the potential to be very serious, even fatal.  Remember that sustaining a series of traumas and concussions or choosing to ignore a TBI may cause the damage to the brain to worsen over time. It's crucial to keep track of and respond to any changes in your learning, concentration, memory, and problem-solving abilities. What's more, you should note any changes in movement, feeling, personality, and mental capacity, which are all possible after sustaining a brain injury.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Brain injuries, unlike many other types of bodily trauma, may not present obvious symptoms right away. Depending on the severity of the blow to the head, various symptoms may present themselves. If you or a loved one suffer such an injury, here are a few signs to keep aware of:

• Vision impairment
• Confusion
• Seizures or convulsions
• Headaches
• Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
• Ringing ears or other sudden noises
• Light or sound sensitivity
• Difficulty focusing or easily forgetting things
• Nausea and vomiting

If any of these signs and symptoms persist, urgent medical treatment is required. Don't put off getting treatment for a serious injury to the head or brain.

How to Avoid Concussions and Brain Injuries

Though these serious wounds can't always be avoided, simple, preventative steps, like those listed below, may reduce the likelihood of a brain injury:

• Putting on a seatbelt can prevent almost any serious injury or death in the case of a collision.
• If you plan on drinking, make arrangements for a designated driver.
• When riding a motorcycle, bicycle, or scooter, it is important to wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a wreck.
• In cases of premises liability and property ownership, reduce the likelihood of hazardous falls by making modifications to high-traffic areas and posting safety signs.
• Make sure age-appropriate toys are within the reach of small children and that they are being supervised properly.
• Childproof your house and daycare so that kids can't hit their heads on sharp objects.

Accidents will still happen, but taking these precautions may lessen the severity of any brain injuries and improve a victim's quality of life in case an accident does occur.

Call the Dallas Car Accident Lawyers at Rasansky Law Firm

Throughout the Lone Star State, automobile accidents touch tens of thousands of families. Although a good portion of Texas car crashes only result in minor injuries, other victims are permanently disabled by traumatic brain injuries or other wounds and in excruciating pain for weeks, months, or even years at a time.

In the event of a serious automobile crash, you should get in touch with a lawyer in Dallas. You may be entitled to full and reasonable reimbursement to help with upcoming medical costs and other expenses.

Our auto accident attorneys at the Rasansky Law Firm have more than 30 years of expertise in helping injured victims. Our clients benefit from the reliable advice of our highly qualified and widely regarded legal team. We are prepared to investigate the specifics of your accident and its aftermath in order to provide you with a thorough analysis of your legal options.

Contact our auto accident lawyers in Dallas at (214) 651-6100 for a no-cost review of your case if you've been hurt in a car crash in Texas and want to learn more about your legal rights and alternatives. If you or a loved one have been injured in a vehicle crash in Dallas, our attorneys are here to assist.