Brain injuries are some of the most complex wounds you can sustain in car accidents. They cause chemical changes that can have severe results. Even concussions, which are mild brain injuries, could leave you with symptoms that last for days.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident and sustained head trauma, understanding the effects that the injury could have is vital. Learn more about the cognitive, emotional, and physical impact of these wounds.
Cognitive Challenges
Brain injuries impact neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers in your brain that transmit messages from one cell to another. These neurotransmitter changes can lead directly to a range of cognitive symptoms.
For instance, attention and concentration can suffer. You can find yourself struggling to focus, especially in busy environments. It can also be much more difficult to switch between tasks when you’re suffering from the effects of a brain injury. These symptoms tend to be worse if you have damage to the frontal lobe, which is in charge of attention and other executive functions.
Memory can also be impacted by brain injuries. You can have difficulty remembering events from right before or right after the accident, and learning new things may not be as easy as it was before the injury.
Your language and communication abilities could also be impacted. Brain injuries can make it more difficult to find the right words or express your thoughts clearly.
Physical Effects
Brain injuries can cause a number of physical effects. You can experience severe headaches that result in nausea and even vomiting. It’s common to also feel off balance and dizzy, which could increase your risk of experiencing a fall. People with brain injuries often struggle with coordination, too.
Depending on the part of the brain that was impacted, motor function could be affected, leading to weakness or paralysis of legs or arms that make everyday tasks very difficult.
Some people experience seizures, especially if they develop any form of scarring from penetrating brain injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, some of the physical effects could be permanent.
Emotional and Behavioral Effects
The chemical changes that these injuries cause can lead to mood issues. You may find that you’re more irritable than usual or that you have rapid and violent mood swings that you have trouble controlling. Emotional outbursts are common, too.
Frequently, people develop depression after brain injuries. This can occur both as a psychological response to such a traumatic injury and because of the chemical changes that head trauma causes.
You may find that you’re more impulsive than you were before the accident or that you’ve developed obsessive or repetitive behaviors. It’s also possible to experience apathy, making you uninterested in the world around you.
Sensory Disturbances
After a brain injury, you can develop a higher sensitivity to light and sound. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed with sensory input. Some people experience blurry vision and even changes to taste and smell.
Sensory disturbances are more likely to occur if the injury impacts your cerebellum. This is the area of the brain that helps to balance sensory experiences. Any damage to this part of the organ can mean that you may struggle to ignore certain stimuli.
Sleep Disruptions
People who have brain injuries can struggle to sleep or can find that they oversleep. This sometimes occurs if the area of the brain that controls your circadian rhythm, called the hypothalamus, is impacted. Excessive fatigue as a result of the injury can also result in sleep pattern disruptions.
Long-Term Rehabilitative Needs
Brain injuries often result in lasting effects that require rehabilitation. You may need occupational therapy or speech therapy to regain some of your normal abilities. In the most serious instances, physical therapy could be necessary, as well.
Aside from concussions, other brain injuries can leave you with long-term medical needs. This impacts not only your health but also your finances and whether you’ll be able to return to work.
Independence and Quality of Life
You may find that you’re not as independent as you used to be. You could need assistance with regular, everyday tasks, and you may not be able to enjoy the activities that you used to love. These factors impact your quality of life.
A severe brain injury could mean that you can no longer earn a living. You may have to apply for disability benefits, which is stressful and leaves you dependent on a government program.
FAQ
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim After Suffering a Brain Injury in a Car Accident?
If another party’s conduct resulted in the accident that led to your injuries, you may be able to begin a personal injury claim. This allows you to recover economic and non-economic damages to address your losses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations gives you two years to file a claim after a collision. It’s never a good idea to wait this long, however.
What Is My Brain Injury Claim Worth?
Numerous factors can impact how much your claim is worth. The severity of the injury, how it impacts your everyday life, and the treatments you will need in order to recover will all affect the claim.
Choose Our Experienced Attorneys for Your Car Accident Claim
If you have sustained a brain injury in a car accident that another party’s conduct caused, you may be entitled to compensation. At Ramsey Law Group, our attorneys provide the experienced representation you need to fight for your rights. Contact our team for a free consultation.