Traumatic Brain Injury Called the Silent Epidemic
You might not realize that after your crash, when your forehead hit the steering wheel, then the back of your head slammed into the seat rest, you may have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The symptoms of a brain injury often do not show up immediately. They may take days or even weeks to appear. Family members may even be the first to notice symptoms resulting from an undiagnosed TBI. In the meantime, precious time for treatment has been lost.
If you suspect you may have hit your head during a truck or car crash, see a medical professional immediately, even if you initially feel okay.
Look at the thousands of NFL players who have filed a lawsuit claiming they suffered concussions. OJ Simpson and Kenny Stabler, who just died, were the latest players said to be suffering from them.
Auto Accidents Second Leading Cause of Traumatic Brain Injuries
1.7 million people in the United States sustain brain injury every year. 52,000 people die from their brain injuries, 275,000 people are hospitalized and 1.365 million people are treated in emergency rooms annually.
17 percent of these head injuries are caused by auto accidents, making it the second leading cause of brain injuries after falls.
For those who are injured, the level may range from mild — which should not be confused with “not serious” — to severe. Even so-called “mild” brain damage can have serious consequences. You may experience loss of memory, cognitive impairment, emotional changes and other problems that affect every aspect of your life.
Getting the right care is crucial to improving your health, functionality and quality of life. Shockingly, many patients lack important services that could make a huge difference in their recovery.
Costs of a Brain Injury
The cost of treating a brain injury can be enormous. Your insurance policy may quickly reach its limit once you’ve paid for emergency room treatment, rehabilitation, vocational training and pain management. But not getting these services can cost you in your quality of life and future earning capacity.
A recent study found that 40 percent of patients hospitalized with brain damage were lacking at least one important service 12 months after sustaining the injury. Most frequently, patients did not receive a sufficient level of services to
- Improve their memory and problem solving
- Manage emotional upsets and stress associated with the injury
- Control outburst, which is common in TBI patients
- Improve job skills and future employment prospects
My law firm has handled many TBI cases over the past 35 years. Call our Dallas-Fort Worth injury firm to schedule your free consultation.