Catastrophic brain injuries can change the lives of victims and their families forever. For that reason, victims of brain injuries should be familiar with brain injury symptoms and how a claim for damages may be able to help them.
Lasting impacts of a traumatic brain injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the brain’s normal functioning. Traumatic brain injuries can occur during car accidents and in other circumstances as well. Traumatic brain injuries can have a variety of symptoms that may not always be immediately evident and can worsen over time including:
- Impaired thinking and memory and trouble focusing or concentrating;
- Impaired movement;
- Impaired sensation including vision or hearing problems;
- Impaired emotional functioning including personality changes, mood disruptions and depression.
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can make it difficult for victims to perform normal, everyday, tasks and can also make them unrecognizable to their family and friends. In this way, traumatic brain injuries impact victims, families, communities and society as a whole.
Help with damages from a brain injury
Catastrophic brain injuries can be difficult to treat and may require costly ongoing treatment and care. A personal injury claim for damages against a negligent driver who caused a car accident that resulted in the victim suffering a traumatic brain injury may be able to help victims with their physical, financial and emotional damages including medical expenses, lost earnings and pain and suffering damages. Car accidents are the second-leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. Because a TBI can turn the victim’s life upside down in an instant, it is essential to be familiar with the legal protections available to victims.