One of the most unfortunate events to occur on the roads of New York City is to witness or be in a car accident. While some lucky folks get out of these situations safely, there are a number of people who suffer from serious brain injuries. If there is severe damage that occurs inside the brain of an individual, it is known as traumatic brain injury. Based on a 2016 report of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Injury Prevention, more than 2.5 million people have had traumatic brain injuries after being hit by a car in the country. A personal injury of this nature can alter the life of any person to a great extent. Thus, compensation is a rightful claim of the sufferer.
Facts about traumatic brain injury
Imagine getting hit by a car in NYC with no fault of yours. People who get a blow on their heads run a serious risk of getting permanent brain damage. This is because the bruises can alter brain tissues in such a way that the sufferer might not be able to function properly. As a result, immediate medical care must be provided with MRIs, CT scans, surgical procedures, etc., performed by highly experienced doctors. It is because of this reason that people who get hit by a car in the city must file a personal injury lawsuit to get compensation for their present and future medical bills.
Symptoms of traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injuries can be mild and severe but, in both cases, the sufferer will be exhibiting signs from the moment the blow on her/his head is exposed to the elements. In milder cases, physical symptoms will include headaches, nausea, drowsiness, imbalance, slurred speech, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light or sounds. Mental issues can also arise in a mild TBI with unconsciousness, memory loss, mood swings, and sleeping problems as the most common symptoms.
When it comes to severe traumatic brain injuries, the risk of permanent damage in the brain is very high. Seizures, loss of consciousness, loss of coordination, clear liquid leaking from the ears, and numbness in the extremities are signs of a serious injury to the head. People who suffer from a severe TBI often feel confused and agitated as well. Fatality in these cases is also a big possibility if the brain damage is beyond repair.
Consequences of TBI
While most injuries in a car accident can be cured or managed over time, a traumatic brain injury is an exception when there is serious damage present inside the sufferer’s brain tissues. A personal injury lawsuit must be filed in order to get justice for such a life-altering event in an individual’s life. Mentioned below are 3 types of consequences in this situation:
- Cognitive: Loss of memory that can be short or long-term, spatial disorientation, difficulty in concentrating on one thing, and issues in communication with others
- Behavioral: Anxiety attacks, on-set of depression, severe mood swings, impulsive actions, and aggressive behavior
- Physical: Impairment of speech, vision, and/or movement along with loss of smell and taste
What can you do?
Brain injuries of any kind should not be taken lightly. So, if you ever come across a car accident where the person might exhibit any of the symptoms listed above, please dial 911 and call for help. Taking a chance is not advised in this scenario whatsoever. As a witness to this accident, you must collect evidence by clicking pictures and recording videos. But if you are in a car accident, then it would be best to look for witnesses around you. The right approach would be to note down their name and contact information. You might feel alright in a mild brain injury, however, it is always better to get checked out at a hospital. A personal injury lawsuit should be taken forward that will provide you with compensation for:
- Medical expenses – From paying the ambulance to brain surgery expenses, you must get full compensation for every medical bill
- Rehabilitation – These are expenses covered in cases where the sufferer requires physical and cognitive rehabilitation to function normally again
- Lost income – From the moment of the accident to the recovery phase, the loss of income must be covered by the responsible individual
- Loss of ability to work – When the sufferer is no longer capable of earning, s/he must be provided compensation for sustenance
In case you know someone, who has faced this legal issue, they can reach out to our personal injury experts at Siler & Ingber on +1 516-294-2666