Traumatic Brain Injury After a Colorado Springs Car Accident

Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident

Written by Jeremy D. Earle, JD

May 2, 2023

What is a Trumatic Brian Injury?

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are severe and sometimes deadly injuries that may occur in car accidents. My clients are often preoccupied with the physical discomfort in their neck, back, shoulder, and other areas that they neglect to realize that the damage to their head and brain, as well as the symptoms that ensue, may suggest a much more significant, more severe problem.

The brain’s contusions (or bruising) are often caused by the trauma that produces what medical experts refer to as Traumatic Brain Injuries. Blood may seep from the brain’s blood arteries into the extravascular space due to these contusions.

Contusions cause brain cell death, local tissue loss, and widespread atrophy in the contusion region,  depending on the degree of the damage. If a brain injury affects the brain stem, it may result in slurred speech and significant loss of coordination and muscular control.

Traumatic Brain Injury and the physical discomfort and loss of brain function and appendage coordination may also result in psychological problems.

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Warrior Car Accident Lawyers, has previously posted on the connection between traumatic brain injury and schizophrenia.

There has also been research that has shown correlations between traumatic brain injury and depressed and psychotic personality disorders.

Traumatic brain injuries have severe and long-term repercussions for both the injured and those around them. Irritability, hostility, cognitive deficits, behavioral disorders, and emotional difficulties are common among traumatic brain injury victims. Furthermore, studies discovered that TBI sufferers were more prone to develop significant depression, alcoholism, panic disorder, phobias, and psychotic personality disorders in the future.

Significant personality changes have been seen in up to two-thirds of traumatic brain injury individuals.

Altered emotion (including restricted emotions with occasional inappropriate or uncontrolled emotional outbursts); impaired judgment and decision–making (including difficulty arriving at decisions as well as poor decisions); impaired initiation, planning, and organization of behavior; and defective social comportment (including egocentricity and impaired empathy) are the  most common behavioral characteristics in Traumatic Brain Injury patients.

These investigations discovered that a noticeable lack of understanding often accompanied these difficulties.

If you or someone you know has been in a slip and fall accident or an car accident, be aware of the following symptoms: headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing  in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue, or lethargy, change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, memory, concentration, attention, or thinking difficulties. If you or someone you  know has increased these symptoms after being in an accident, don’t hesitate to have them seek medical attention.

BRAIN CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES

According to the National Safety Council, around 4.5 million individuals were severely wounded in  car accidents in 2018. Among the various car accident injuries, those that impact the brain are among the most serious.

When a car collision, drivers and passengers traveling at high speeds  may suffer a concussion when the car abruptly stops or changes course. This abrupt contact  might cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI), ranging from a minor concussion to a coma with long- term implications.

WHAT IS A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, AND HOW DOES ONE GET ONE?

According to Mayfield Clinic, a TBI is “brain damage induced by a hit or shock to the head from blunt or penetrating trauma,” according to Mayfield Clinic. Primary and secondary injuries are the most common types of injuries.

The major injury occurs with the first hit. The soft brain collides with  the tough inside of the skull during this collision, possibly causing damage to specific lobes or  perhaps the whole brain.

A person may seem to be alright, depending on the intensity of the first hit. On the other hand, the brain may continue to enlarge and press against the inside of the skull, restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood; this is the secondary damage.

Loss of consciousness Confusion/disorientation Headache

Fatigue Memory loss Poor focus Irritability Dizziness

Seizures are all symptoms of a traumatic brain injury.

If you’ve been in an car accident and are suffering any of these symptoms, contact a doctor for a physical evaluation. Because every brain injury is unique, the symptoms will vary from patient to patient. A distributed injury (such as a concussion or diffuse axonal damage) usually results in a  general loss of consciousness.

Symptoms of focal injuries (such as intracerebral hemorrhage or  contusion) differ depending on the afflicted location of the brain.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY HAPPEN?

A TBI may be classified as open or closed, according to Northeastern University. When the skull is  broken or punctured by a foreign object, the brain is damaged, resulting in an open TBI. In the event  of an car collision, a closed TBI is more frequent. When a blow to the head occurs but the  skull does not shatter, closed TBI occurs. The signs and symptoms of an open vs. a closed TBI differ.

You might suffer from various traumatic brain injuries, depending on the severity of your main damage. You might have more than one form of TBI if you have a TBI as a consequence of an car accident. TBIs of the following categories are covered in depth by the Mayfield Clinic.

CONCUSSION

A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury that may cause temporary disorientation, memory  loss, speech problems, visual problems, and balance problems. One of the most frequent TBIs, this damage is treated by giving the brain time to rest. A concussion, on the other hand, if left untreated,  might cause permanent injury to a patient.

AXONAL DIFFUSE INJURY (DAI)

The nerve axons rip when the brain forcefully swings back and forth in the skull, creating diffuse  axonal damage. Axons are the fibers that link nerve cells all across the brain.

Extensive rips in the  brain’s connections may cause varying degrees of damage, and in some cases, death. Symptoms will  vary depending on which parts of the brain are impacted.

CONTUSION

A contusion is a bruise generated by a blow to the head, which is a kind of bleeding under the skin. These are often associated with concussions. Surgery may be indicated if the bleeding does not cease on its own. A contusion’s severity is determined by its location in the brain, the extent of the  bleed, and how long it lasts.

SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE AS A RESULT OF TRAUMA (TSAH)

Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage is a kind of bleeding that occurs around the brain. This area between the brain and the skull should be filled with cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions. When  minor arteries break during the first injury, blood flows across the brain, creating this injury. This blood irritates the brain, raises the pressure on it, and damages brain cells.

Furthermore, the region to which the ruptured arteries normally convey blood is suddenly devoid of oxygen-rich blood, resulting in extensive detrimental consequences.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (COUP-CONTRECOUP)

When a person is struck in the head, the brain hits the opposite side of the impact site, resulting in a  coup-countercoup injury. Both the hit location and the opposing side of the brain have been  damaged. This sort of damage is often more severe and has quick consequences.

Because this is a more serious injury, individuals may need significant therapy to recover.

HEMATOMA

A hematoma develops when a blood vessel bursts and the fleeing blood starts to clot as the body strives to stop the bleeding. A hematoma may be little or big, and a large hematoma can be deadly because the clot presses on the brain. The symptoms of a hematoma vary depending on where the blood clot is located. The removal of large hematomas may need surgery.

WHAT IS THE SEVERITY OF A TBI?

Medical examiners often utilize the Glasgow Coma Scale to determine the severity of a TBI (GCS). A  TBI damage is classified as mild, moderate, or severe using this scale, which spans 3 to 15 points. A lower number implies a more severe injury, whereas a higher score suggests a less serious injury.  The following are the results of the doctors’ evaluations:

The capacity of the patient to open their eyes

Able to react adequately to queries such as “What is your name?” and “What is the date today?”

Ability to follow instructions, such as “Hold up two fingers.”

A score of 3 to 15 is assigned to the patient based on how well they do on each of the three exams.  The severity of TBI damage is classified as follows:

Mild: 13–15

Moderate: 9–12 Severe: 8 and under

A patient who has had a severe TBI will need significant care. A doctor must first identify the particular kind of damage before prescribing the appropriate therapy.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI) DIAGNOSIS

Because TBI symptoms vary so much, it’s difficult for a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis without  doing the necessary tests. The following tests are often used to identify TBIs, either alone or in combination:

COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY (CT)

A sequence of X-rays produces a detailed picture of brain regions. A CT scan is frequently performed immediately after an accident to identify fractures, bleeding in the brain, hematomas, and other problems. CT scans may be performed throughout therapy to help doctors make choices about the patient’s care.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)

An MRI creates a detailed picture of soft tissues in the brain using a  magnetic field and radiofrequency waves. This test is capable of revealing minor information that a CT scan cannot. Before the test, a dye (contrast) may be injected into the patient to provide more details.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY (MRS)

Spectroscopy is a set of examinations that uses the same equipment like an MRI to acquire information on the brain’s metabolism. This information gives a basic idea of the patient’s chances of recovering from the injury.

INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE (ICP) MONITORING

A probe is put through the skull to measure the pressure as  the brain swells. This is only done if a medical specialist considers the swelling is a serious problem.  A drain set into the head may be used to reduce the pressure in rare circumstances.

These tests are widely used to capture pictures of a patient’s brain by health care practitioners. A medical specialist will develop a diagnosis and begin therapy right away using the different photos  and a physical examination.

TREATMENT FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

According to the Mayfield Clinic, the ultimate aims of traumatic brain injury therapy are to revitalize and support the patient, limit subsequent injury, and aid in their transition to recovery. Rest and pain medication to reduce headaches are typically the best treatments for mild TBIs. TBIs that are mild to  severe, on the other hand, usually need more care.

If a patient’s damage is life-threatening, they may be admitted to a neurocritical care unit, where they will be watched 24 hours a day. A neurointensivist will keep track of the patient’s brain function and mental state frequently. Neurocritical care is reserved for patients with severe TBIs who are  unconscious, immobilized, or in a similar condition.

Medication is widely used to treat moderate to severe TBI patients to manage the following symptoms:

Pain and sedation Intracranial pressure Seizures

Infection

Patients with moderate to severe TBI may need surgery to repair skull fractures, bleeding arteries,  remove hematomas, and reduce intracranial pressure, among other things. The following surgical techniques are often employed:

Craniotomy: a surgical procedure that exposes the brain and allows a physician to heal damage.

After the injury is corrected, the portion of the skull, known as a bone flap, is removed and replaced.

Decompressive Craniectomy: A portion of bone is removed from the skull to enable the brain to enlarge and expand. This procedure is carried out on individuals who have dangerously excessive intracranial pressure. Following the removal of the segment of bone, biologic tissue is put over the exposed brain, the skin is closed, and the bone flap is frozen. The bone flap is replaced in a  procedure termed cranioplasty once the patient has stabilized for 1 to 3 months.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SURGICAL TREATMENTS THAT HELP INPATIENT RECOVERY

TRACHEOTOMY: A procedure in which a tiny incision in the neck is made into the trachea to insert a breathing tube. This procedure is used on patients who cannot breathe on their own, as is the  situation in severe TBI instances.

PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY TUBE (PEG) is a feeding tube

implanted through the  abdominal wall into a patient’s stomach. This helps severe TBI patients who may be unable to eat due to their disabilities.

TBI PATIENTS’ REHABILITATION

TBI injuries, whether mild or severe, may have long-term consequences. Rehabilitation is an essential  aspect of healing for many people who have had a TBI. There are various rehab options   available, all of which are designed to help people recover from the consequences of traumatic brain injuries. Physical treatment, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychiatric care, and social assistance are just a few examples.

Every rehabilitation program is tailored to the patient’s specific requirements. Several different sorts  of healthcare practitioners may treat the patient regularly. As the patient recovers, the treatment plan will most likely alter. The patient’s response to therapy solely determines the duration of a rehabilitation program. Some people may fully recover, while others, regrettably, may need lifetime care.

WARRIOR CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS, IS A FIRM THAT SPECIALIZES IN BRAIN INJURY CASES

Suppose you or a loved one is suffering from any physical, cognitive, or emotional symptoms listed  above. In that case, you should get legal advice from a traumatic brain injury attorney in Colorado.

Furthermore, suppose you or a loved one has suffered a hit to the head or a whiplash injury due to another person’s or company’s carelessness. In that case, it is critical to get treatment from a traumatic brain injury specialist to evaluate if brain damage has happened.

A traumatic brain injury may have a significant impact on your quality of life, including your ability to connect with family and friends as well as work.

Please call the Warrior Car Accident Lawyers, at 719-300-1100 for additional information on the link between a brain injury and a car or motorcycle accident. The lawyers of Warrior Car Accident Lawyers, are skilled and aggressive Colorado traumatic brain injury  attorneys who are frequently asked for co-law firm head injury cases across Colorado by their colleagues.

If our injury lawyers might be of further help, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free case review and consultation.

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