The immense impact of a car accident can lead to very serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The brain houses the essence of who we are as individuals, and even a relatively minor TBI can have serious consequences. If you’ve suffered a TBI as a result of another driver’s negligence, it’s time to consult with an experienced Kansas City car accident attorney.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The Mayo Clinic shares that traffic accidents, such as car accidents, are a common cause of TBIs, and these injuries can have a wide range of both physical and emotional consequences, which can come on immediately or can be slow to present (thus rendering the injuries that much more difficult to diagnose and effectively treat). TBIs are classified as either mild, moderate, or severe).
Mild TBIs
The term mild traumatic brain injury can be misleading – these are serious injuries that require immediate medical attention. Common symptoms of mild TBIs include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Sudden fatigue or drowsiness
- Dizziness or a loss of balance
- Speech disturbances
- Sensory issues, such as a sensitivity to light or sound, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, changes in one’s sense of smell, and more
- Cognitive and behavioral issues, such as a short loss of consciousness or a state of being dazed and confused, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, increased anxiety or depression, sleep disturbances, and more
Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
Once the TBI reaches the level of moderate or severe, the matter is very serious, and obtaining the immediate medical attention that you need is paramount. The symptoms that are closely associated with moderate to severe TBIs include:
- Ongoing nausea and vomiting
- A loss of consciousness that lasts from several minutes to several hours
- Serious headaches that are persistent and/or that worsen
- Seizures or convulsions
- Drainage of clear fluids from the ears and/or nose
- The dilation of one or both pupils
- Inability to awaken
- Overall loss of coordination
- Numbness and/or weakness in the fingers and/or toes
- Cognitive concerns, such as profound confusion, slurred speech, agitation or combativeness, and coma
Your Car Accident Claim
If another driver’s negligence causes you to suffer a TBI, obtaining the medical attention you need as soon after the accident as possible is the first order of business. The next steps on the journey forward include:
- Consulting with a dedicated car accident attorney as soon as you are able to do so
- Following your medical team’s instructions and advice carefully
- Working closely with your car accident attorney to build your strongest claim – in pursuit of your just compensation
- Allowing your car accident attorney to work with the involved insurance company on your behalf (you are not required to provide the insurance company with a statement and are well-advised not to)
- Keeping your comments about the accident off of social media (there is no reason to provide the insurance company with information it can twist to its own purposes)
Seek the Legal Guidance of an Experienced Kansas City Car Accident Attorney
The practiced Kansas City car accident attorneys at Krause & Kinsman Law Firm have the experience, drive, and focused insight to help guide your claim toward its most advantageous resolution. We are on your side and here to help throughout the legal process, so please do not wait to contact us online or call us at 816-307-2763 for more information today.
FAQ
What are the most common causes of serious car accidents?
Car accidents that lead to severe injuries like TBIs are often caused by serious forms of driver negligence like the following:
- Distraction
- Impairment
- Exhaustion
- Aggression
- Excess speed
What if I feel fine after the car accident?
One of the most dangerous aspects of TBIs is that they have the capacity to hide in plain sight – allowing the injury to become more serious before the necessary medical care is obtained. If you’ve been in a car accident of any significance, it’s important to seek medical attention.
Will my case go to court?
The last thing you may want to think about after suffering a serious injury like a TBI is taking the matter to court, but it’s important to know that the vast majority of such cases are settled out of court, and yours is likely to do the same.
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