Living with the Long-Term Effects of a Car Accident Head Injury
Among all age groups, motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related incidents result in the largest percentage of traumatic brain injury (TBI) related health outcomes and deaths. In some rare cases involving car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, a common whiplash injury may even trigger a more serious TBI. The diagnosis of this head injury can have devastating, ongoing long-term effects and trigger other conditions and diseases for car accident victims. Family caregivers can also become heavily impacted.
- According to CDC estimates, there are roughly 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. each year.
- Depending on the nature of the injury, its severity, treatment received, and many other factors, a head wound canresult in permanent brain damage that causes lasting impairments.
- Doctors and specialistsmay need to perform months of analysis to establish the full extent of injuries, likelihood of recovery, and what the long-term effects will be.
- The amount of force applied to the head, the location of the impact, the direction of force, promptness and quality of treatment, and other unknown factors can all contribute to the nature and severity of the long-term effects of the injury, as well as identify a recovery prognosis.
- It can be very difficult to be sure of the long-term impact on an accident victim’s health following a head injury, or how long they may last.
- Injured persons likely need to undergo frequent examination from a head or brain injury rehabilitation specialist, may need to stop working and face family relationship challenges.
Anyone who has sustained a blow to the head or experienced whiplash-like injuries should be promptly evaluated by a medical professional at the sign of first symptom to determine if TBI has taken place.
Health Conditions Triggered by Traumatic Brain Injury
There can be several long-term side effects caused by a head injury. Over time, brain cells may degenerate and create complications for daily living or even other health conditions and brain-related diseases. The specific effects may vary from case to case, but some traumatic head injury long-term effects include:
- Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other degenerative conditions
- Coma/loss of consciousness
- Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
- Loss of sensation in the body’s extremities (fingers, toes, etc.)
- Loss of stability and balance
- Hearing changes
- Impaired cognitive function
- Impaired language skills
- Increased risk of stroke/seizure
- Partial paralysis
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
- Vision loss
With over a million traumatic brain injuries occurring each year in the U.S., it’s vital for everyone to be as informed as possible about the potential effects of long-term brain injuries, how to cope with them and recognize that support in the form of a lawsuit against responsibility parties may help ease any burdens.
Living with a Long-Term Head Injury Can Be Difficult
TBI can have a profound effect on the quality of life, including the inability to work and interact appropriately with friends and family, loss of motor function and skills, as well as create other ailments, financial struggles, and life-long problems.
If tragedy strikes and you or someone you love is injured in a driving accident and sustained a long-term head injury, please call Lee Free at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or fill out the Free Case Evaluation Form so we can answer any questions you may have about Michigan personal injury law related to your accident.
