Depending on the severity, brain trauma can lead to lifelong disabilities and can be life-threatening. Some people can fully recover from mild brain trauma within a few months, while others may experience movement or speech problems for life. Brain trauma can be caused by workplace or car accidents. If the accident was caused by the negligence of someone else, you may be eligible for significant compensation for your injuries. Talk to Tennessee auto accident lawyer to figure out what you need to do to obtain compensation.
Most Common Causes of Brain Trauma
The most common cause of brain injuries is falling. Falls make up 48% of all visits to the emergency room for brain trauma. People aged 65 and older tend to be more susceptible to brain injuries after falls. If your fall was caused by a wet floor or wires along the pathway with no warning signs, you may be eligible for compensation. Falls at work may make you eligible for worker’s compensation.
Being hit by a heavy object is the second most common cause of brain trauma. This can happen during workplace accidents or certain types of car accidents. In either case, you may be eligible for compensation if the accident was caused by someone else. For example, a co-worker may have dropped a heavy object on your head at work.
Car accidents themselves make up 20% of hospitalizations for brain injuries. With all the violent tossing and turning car accidents involve, many brain injuries from this type of accident tend to be severe. This is why calling 911 after a serious car accident is often key for saving someone’s life.
Signs of Serious Brain Trauma
Recognizing signs of a brain injury is important for knowing when to call 911 or seek medical attention. Regardless of the accident that caused you injury, the signs of brain trauma are similar across different types of situations. Look for physical symptoms first because these are more apparent than cognitive symptoms.
Common physical symptoms of serious brain trauma are vomiting, drowsiness, worsening headaches, a cracked skull, periods of fainting, problems with walking, or loss of coordination. The person may also seem confused or disoriented. Disorientation can impact a person’s ability to remember the time, day, month, and their name.
People with this injury may also report no sense of touch, blurry vision, ringing ears, or a strange taste in their mouth. In terms of thinking, they may experience problems with memory, concentration, mood, or self-control. In severe cases, people may also have seizures, pupil dilation, weakness, loss of movement, slurred speech, or a complete loss of consciousness.
