Even with modern safety features, the sudden jolt of a collision can inflict Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) on drivers and passengers, forcing them to deal with months or years of recovery. If you sustain a TBI in a car accident, here is what you need to know.
How Common Are Brain Injuries in Car Accidents?
Car crashes rank among the top causes of TBIs in the United States, leading to hundreds of thousands of hospital stays each year. Young drivers, especially those between 15 and 24, are at an especially high risk of TBIs after a collision.
Why Does a Whiplash-Type Impact Hurt the Brain?
Inside your skull, your brain floats in fluid. In a crash, sudden stops or sharp turns cause your brain to slam into your skull’s bony interior—often more than once. That back-and-forth motion bruises your brain’s tissue and stretches delicate nerve fibers—and unlike a bump on the head you can see, these internal injuries often hide until external symptoms appear.
What Kinds of Brain Injuries Happen in Wrecks?
Every crash is different, but common TBI types include the following:
- Mild concussion: Short-lived confusion, headache, or dizziness.
- Diffuse axonal injury: Tiny tears in nerve fibers that can cause lasting cognitive issues.
- Brain contusions and hematomas: Localized bleeding or swelling that sometimes needs surgery.
- Penetrating injuries: Rare, but serious when debris punctures the skull.
After a Crash, When Should You Seek Help?
If you notice any of these signs—no matter how minor they seem—get medical attention right away:
- Ongoing headache, nausea, or vomiting
- Trouble with balance, vision changes, or feeling dizzy
- Memory lapses, confusion, irritability, or mood swings
- Unequal pupils, fluid from the ears or nose, or seizures
Early care not only improves your recovery chance but also creates a paper trail if you need to file a legal claim.
What Does TBI Recovery Look Like?
The recovery period depends on your injury’s severity and how quickly you start treatment. Mild concussions often heal within weeks to months, while more serious TBIs may require any combination of the following:
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Neuropsychological testing to pinpoint deficits
- Ongoing support from specialists to rebuild daily skills
What Compensation Could You Seek in Georgia?
Victims can seek damages for medical bills, therapy, lost income, and emotional pain if someone else’s negligence caused their injury. In serious cases, settlements and verdicts often reach into the millions.
Proving an “invisible” injury typically requires a plethora of evidence, including police reports, black-box data, and witness statements. You will also likely need advanced MRI scans, cognitive testing, and expert testimony to substantiate the medical effects of your injury.
Get Compassionate Legal Help With the Macon Car Accident Lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC
If you sustain a TBI in a car collision, trust the Macon car accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC to combine their deep experience with personal care. With nearly 30 years of courtroom success, we have won hundreds of millions for injured Georgians, and we can help you demand the compensation that you deserve. Call us today at 478-254-2007 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. Located in Macon, Georgia, we gladly serve clients throughout Savannah, Albany, Atlanta, Bibb County, Chatham County, Columbus, Crawford County, Oglethorpe, and Peach County.