Did you know traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are more common than you think? Typically, those who’ve suffered such injuries have had a major blow to the head due to an auto crash or an acute fall. In fact, over half of all reported TBIs are the result of a vehicle collision. TBIs from a car crash generally happen when the skull is slammed into the steering wheel, headrest, side-window and/or windshield.
Along with the many side effects of a TBI, studies show folks who have experienced a TBI have a higher chance of developing dementia. Depending on the number of TBIs an individual has sustained, the risk for dementia increases.
A study presented by the Lancet Psychiatry, a well-respected and peer-reviewed medical journal, indicated that a person who had a TBI was at an approximate 24 percent increased risk of dementia compared to an individual who had never experienced a TBI. Those who had suffered from five or more TBIs had nearly triple the risk of developing dementia. The study showed that even a person who had a single mild TBI had a 17 percent increased risk of dementia. That is frightening and shows the significance of this common car wreck injury.
Symptoms of a Possible TBI
Individuals with a TBI are likely to experience symptoms differently from one another. Some signs occur immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.
Some physical symptoms one might experience include drowsiness, difficulty sleeping, nausea and vomiting, headache and dizziness. Sensitivity to light or sound, blurred vision, ringing in the ears and changes in smell are other symptoms. Individuals may also have trouble concentrating, mood swings and feelings of depression and anxiety.
Of course, if the TBI is deemed moderate to severe, symptoms will appear more intense and can worsen. Some individuals who have suffered from a TBI will, unfortunately, have lasting effects which drastically alter one’s life.
With so much at jeopardy following a brain injury, it’s important that individuals get the necessary medical assistance and that wrongdoers who cause another’s TBI be held fully accountable.
If you or a loved one has been in a car crash or experienced a severe fall and believe you may have suffered from a brain injury, contact the lawyers at Tiano O’Dell today at 304.720.6700. We can help.