There are more than 5 million vehicle accidents reported each year and almost 40,000 victims of those crashes do not survive. Approximately 1.5 million people suffer injuries in those accidents. Serious injuries can affect the driver, passengers in the vehicle, and even other people on the road, depending on the circumstances of the crash.
Unfortunately, one of the most common – and dangerous – injuries that victims suffer is a traumatic brain injury, also referred to as a TBI. Many victims do not realize they have sustained a brain injury following the crash and it can take hours and sometimes days for symptoms to appear. However, this can leave the victim at risk of permanent or fatal consequences. The following symptoms may indicate a brain injury and should alert the victim to consult with a doctor immediately.
Disorientation or Confusion
Although it can be expected for anyone who has been involved in a crash to be shaken up right after an accident, long-lasting symptoms of disorientation, confusion, or dazed could be a sign that there is some type of brain injury.
Losing Consciousness
If the victim loses consciousness, whether for a few seconds to a few hours, they should be examined by a doctor immediately. Any loss of consciousness is a strong indicator of a TBI.
Stimuli Sensitivity
Any unusual sensitivity to light, sound, or other types of stimuli can also indicate an injury to the brain. Victims should contact their doctor right away to make that determination.
Changes in Mood
If the victim begins to suffer from aggressiveness, agitation, anxiety, depression, or other changes in their normal moods, they may have injured their brain in the crash. For victims who already have a history of depression or other mood disorders, any increase in mood changes should be cause for concern.
Change in Sleep Habits
If the victim has any changes to their regular sleeping habits, including sleeping more than usual or having a hard time falling or staying asleep, they should consult with their doctor as this too can be a symptom of a brain injury.
Other signs of a possible brain injury include:
- Clear fluids draining from ears or nose
- Convulsions
- Double vision
- Headaches
- Loss of balance
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Unequal pupil dilation
- Vomiting
- Weakness in the face, arms, or legs
Contact a Va. Brain Injury Attorney Today
A brain injury is often a long-term or permanent injury that requires rehabilitative care. The financial costs of caring for a brain injury victim throughout their life can be overwhelming and carry heavy financial burdens. If your loved one has suffered a significant brain injury, a Virginia Beach car accident attorney can pursue financial damages against the at-fault driver that will assist your family in providing the care your loved one needs, including future medical care, loss of income, pain, mental anguish, and permanent disability.
Contact the legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation to find out how we can help.
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For over twenty years, Mr. Sharp's law practice has focused on serious personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury claims. He also handles nursing home neglect cases and medical malpractice claims. Mr. Sharp has counseled numerous clients about the complexities concerning litigation of both pediatric and adult brain injury. Mr. Sharp has been awarded the AV Preeminent ranking by Martindale, the highly respected and widely utilized directory of lawyers throughout the world. AV Preeminent status is awarded only to those lawyers who achieve the highest level of success within the legal field and is a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers and Judges rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been recognized as a "Best Lawyer" by U.S. News for personal injury, an accolade awarded to only a small fraction of lawyers. Mr. Sharp has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top personal injury lawyers in Virginia. This recognition is awarded only to those lawyers who have achieved the highest level of success and have been recognized by their peers as demonstrating the highest level of professional excellence.
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