Your car, truck or SUV probably has airbags and other safety features that protect you during traffic accidents. Still, if you hit your head on a deployed airbag or something else, you may develop a traumatic brain injury. Even the rapid head movement that is common in collisions may increase your chances of injuring your brain.
Serious TBIs are alarmingly common in the U.S. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are roughly 166 fatal TBIs every single day. Thousands of other Americans suffer life-altering but survivable TBIs annually.
A medical emergency
The symptoms of a TBI may not appear immediately after a collision. That is, despite feeling mostly fine, you may have a potentially life-threatening injury. Therefore, it is always a good idea to go to the hospital for a full medical evaluation after a car accident.
A variety of diagnostic tools
When you are in the emergency room, you should describe your accident to doctors. Be sure to tell the doctor about any of the following symptoms you are experiencing:
- Headaches, dizziness or confusion
- Blurred vision, hearing loss or speech difficulties
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures or convulsions
- Discharge from your ears, ears, nose or mouth
If physicians suspect you may have injured your brain, they may take advantage of a variety of diagnostic tools. These include brain scans, x-rays, cognitive tests and physical examinations.
Your prognosis
Your ability to recover from a TBI depends on the severity of your injury and your overall health. Still, correctly diagnosing and treating a TBI can be expensive. Ultimately, pursuing financial compensation from the responsible driver may help you pay for the medical care you need.