Every day, nearly 200 people die from head and brain injuries in the U.S., and for each of these fatalities, thousands more are left with a concussion or other lasting and life-altering traumatic brain injuries.
If you were involved in an accident on the road or at work, you may not realize you have a head injury right away, as symptoms can take days or weeks to appear. But these types of injuries can be gravely serious, leaving you with long-term physical and cognitive impairment if not treated immediately.
How Common Are Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of death and far more common than most people realize, with millions treated in the emergency room for head injuries each year.
According to the latest Centers for Disease Control TBI data:
- 190 people die DAILY due to head injuries
- 586 are hospitalized DAILY due to traumatic brain injuries
- Men are nearly 2X more likely than women to be hospitalized for a head injury
In fact, the CDC estimates that 5.3 million Americans currently live with a disability due to a head injury. That’s 2% of the population.
Common Signs of a Concussion
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and body.
Because a concussion or more serious brain injury may not always be evident after you’ve been in an accident, it’s incredibly important to know what common symptoms and signs to look for and to seek medical treatment right away.
If you sustained a concussion, common symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Appearing dazed or stunned
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Blurred vision
- Being bothered by light or noise
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Mood changes
- Depression or Anxiety
- Changes in behavior
- Changes in sleep
- Seizures
Additionally, accident victims with a concussion may be unable to recall events prior to or after a hit or fall. They may move more clumsily, answer questions slower, or even briefly lose consciousness.
Even if you don’t think you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s crucial that you seek medical care. An untreated head injury can cause permanent brain damage.
How Do I Tell if My Brain Injury Is Mild or Severe?
Determining the severity of a head injury is extremely difficult — even for medical professionals.
Both mild and severe head injuries often share many of the same symptoms and may appear to be quite similar.
However, Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries—which, despite their name, can cause permanent impairment and disability—can be harder to detect. Mild TBIs are more often overlooked in the ER because many of the common symptoms, including problems sleeping or falling asleep, impaired concentration, mood changes, irritability, depression, or anxiety, are not visible on most CT scans and MRI.
How long those symptoms last will depend on the type of brain injury you have and how quickly you start to get treatment.
Common Accidents That Cause Head Injuries
Head injuries result from trauma often caused by falling, having something dropped on your head, or from no actual physical contact, like a rear-end collision where your head is rapidly moving forward and backwards, which causes your brain to rub up against or hit your skull.
Numerous accidents can cause a head injury, but the types that we often see and the cases we commonly represent include:
- Work injury
- Oilfield accident
- Refinery or plant explosion
- Car accident
- Truck and 18-wheeler accident
- Bus accident
- Rear-end accident
- Rollover accident
Because a traumatic brain injury may occur even in the absence of any direct contact to the head, symptoms can easily be overlooked or go unnoticed by an accident victim and their family — making them even more dangerous.
That’s why it’s critical to take action right away to protect your well-being and your rights.
What to Do If You Suspect You Have a Brain Injury
Head injuries of any kind, regardless of the cause, must be treated early and often in order to minimize the risk for permanent traumatic brain injury.
Additionally, the actions you take immediately following an accident will not only directly impact your recovery, but your family’s future. Because as soon as the unthinkable happens, the at-fault party will undoubtedly get to work trying to prove you are not injured as severely as you actually are, so they can pay as little as possible.
You must take action right away to protect your rights and well-being.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Medical professionals will use a variety of diagnostic technologies to assist with diagnosing your injury, including CT scans, MRIs and x-rays. If you have a concussion, you may be asked to stay in the hospital overnight or sent home under close observation. During the first 48 hours of a concussion, you will need to rest and avoid moderate and strenuous mental and physical activities.
It’s important to note that the symptoms of a head injury may not always show up in tests at the ER, or they may be attributed to a pre-existing disease or illness. This is why brain injuries are often referred to as the “silent” epidemic.
If you sustained head injuries due to another’s reckless, careless behavior or if you suspect these injuries are being overlooked, it’s important to know your legal rights and options and take action as soon as possible.
Contact an Experienced Brain Injury Lawyer Right Away
You need a team that not only has the experience, resources, and skills to win in the courtroom, but one that truly understands the devastating, and often overlooked consequences of serious brain injuries.
At Zehl & Associates, we have spent years developing a team of medical experts—including neurologists, neuropsychologists, and psychiatrists—to ensure that our clients receive the best medical treatment available for brain injuries of every kind. We understand how brain injuries are diagnosed, the effect these injuries have on your life, and the science needed to win in the courtroom.
Our Undefeated Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers are here for you every step of the way, with a commitment to our clients that goes well beyond the courtroom:
- We treat our clients like family and are here for you 24/7
- We ensure you have access to the best and most advanced medical treatment available
- We help you cover bills and reasonable living expenses while your case is pending
- We NEVER settle for less than the maximum compensation you deserve
But don’t just take it from us. Hear what our clients have to say about working with us.
Undefeated Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers: Contact 1-888-603-3636 Today for a Free Consult
Our Brain Injury Lawyers have recovered Billions on behalf of accident victims across Texas and the United States, including the largest Traumatic Brain Injury Verdicts and Settlements in history.
If you or a loved one suffered a head or brain injury, contact our Undefeated Brain Injury Lawyers at 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
Our team will explain your options, answer your questions, and get you the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay us a cent unless we win your case.