While there has been a lot of attention on the link between sports and Traumatic Brain Injury, car accidents are actually the most common cause of injury and deaths related to TBI among people aged 15-34, according to a report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 30 percent of injury deaths in the US is caused by TBI. Early diagnosis and treatment of TBI is one of the best ways to reduce the impact and death.
The University of Arizona is developing a data analysis tool to calculate the likelihood of TBI after a vehicle collision. This tool could assist first responders and medical providers in early treatment in the near future. Until then, the signs the Mayo Clinic says to look for after a violent blow or jolt to the head or body are not surprisingly similar to that of a head concussion, and include the following* physical, sensory and cognitive symptoms:
• Loss of consciousness
• Feeling dazed, confused, disoriented, depressed
• Mild to severe headache
• Temporary or prolonged nausea or vomiting
• Loss of coordination
• Slurred speech
• Blurred vision or other sensory problems
• Fluids draining from the nose or ears
• Sleep changes
If you are in a car accident, the chance is great that you received a blow to the head. If so, always seek emergency medical care or at least see your doctor if there are any signs of TBI. After taking care of the emergency medical problems, call our firm to assist you with the legal, insurance and liability issues related to your motor vehicle accident.
*for a full list see https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557.