Injured people throughout the Kansas City area, many of whom suffer from acute TBI, brought on by car accidents. TBI (“traumatic brain injury”) is a serious and life-altering condition that is brought on – as the name suggests – by trauma to the brain. However, for years research clearly relating TBI to particular kinds of traumas have been a bit slim.
Over the past 15 years, with more service men and women returning from combat abroad, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been forced to acknowledge many of the causes and symptoms of TBI, and these past two decades have brought much new research to light. Here are some of the highlights on TBI research that have been revealed through the VA’s research.
Research Confirming How TBI is Caused
After years of researching disabled veterans injured in combat or training, the VA has concluded that TBI can be caused by:
- Direct contact to the head
- When the brain is shaken within the skull from blasts or explosions
- When the brain is shaken within the skull from whiplash, such as what occurs in a car accident
Why This is Helpful to Car Accident Victims
Many people are involved in serious car wrecks that leave them with fractured bones, concussions, and other injuries. Yet, one of the insurance industry’s favorite excuses for denying an auto accident TBI claim is arguing that if the person’s head did not actually make contact with something (dash, steering wheel, etc.), then there can be no “trauma.” Insurance companies hire legions of so-called medical experts who are paid well to say this. However, skilled injury lawyers are now able to turn the tables on this strategy by showing that even the U.S. government has acknowledged that auto accidents can cause TBI, even where there is no physical contact. In other words, a severe whiplash injury can cause a TBI. It’s the shaking motion that causes the brain to impact inside of the skull.
VA Directly References Auto Accidents as a Significant Cause of TBI Outside of Military Service
Recognizing that soldiers and veterans can also be injured outside of the service, there are numerous VA administrative and court decisions where VA physicians have related TBI to car accidents, rather than the service members’ military injuries. This means that at least in some contexts, the government finds auto accidents to be a higher likelihood of causing TBI than certain military injuries.
The Government Acknowledges the Severity of TBI Symptoms
While insurance companies may want to downplay your TBI injury, claiming it’s nothing more than a few headaches, the U.S. government disagrees. Research into TBI for veterans revealed that the symptoms can include things like:
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Sleep disorders
- Memory problems
- Cognitive delays
- Depression and mood disorders.
In fact, the VA states unequivocally that these issues can “often lead to . . . long-term mental and physical health problems” and that they can damage a person’s “employment and family relationships.” See VA Statement for more information on VA research into TBI.
Links to Alzheimer’s Disease
Finally, VA research has clearly linked PTSD and TBI both to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s’ disease. This is even more notable in older patients with TBI. Therefore, a serious head injury can elevate an individual’s risk of early onset Alzheimer’s and earlier cognitive decline, thereby depriving the victim of years of potential valuable time and health.
Get Aggressive Legal Help With Your TBI Claim
If you suffered a TBI in a car accident or other personal injury throughout the Kansas City region, you should not accept the insurance company’s lowball offer without talking to an experienced attorney. At the Krause & Kinsman Law Firm, we understand TBI and how it affects people’s lives. We are committed to making sure our clients are properly and adequately compensated for their injuries. That’s why we never take a fee unless we recover. Call for your own free consultation today.
