Collisions can cause serious injuries among drivers and passengers alike. Even accidents with only minor impact can result in serious head injury, especially in children. A recent accident on Florida’s business highway 98 sent two 10-year-old boys to the hospital with head injuries. The drivers of both vehicles involved were treated for minor injuries and released at the scene, but the children were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola for treatment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition that affects about 2.5 million Americans per year. Children and adults over the age of 65 are particularly vulnerable to TBI. The most common causes of TBI are:
- Falling
- Traffic accidents
- Sports accidents
- Assault
Most of the time, people who get hit in the head during a sporting event or collide with the dashboard in a car accident suffer from minor concussion and recover without any lasting effects. In more serious cases, traumatic impact to the head can result in serious injury and have lasing effects. It is important to recognize the signs of TBI so the victim can receive treatment as quickly as possible in order to optimize recovery.
Here are some signs to look for:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Nausea/vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Trouble balancing or standing
It is often difficult to determine the severity of a head injury at the scene of the accident or impact. If there is any suspicion that a child or adult may have suffered TBI as a result of an accident, it is essential that they be transported to a hospital immediately. With treatment and rehabilitation, most TBI victims do recover. Some, however, may suffer from permanent brain damage that completely changes their quality of life, ability to work or impairs cognitive function.
A Traumatic Brain Injury can be life changing. If you or someone you love has been head injured as a result of an accident, consult with an attorney with expertise in the field of TBI. At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath we care about your injuries and your quality of life. We fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us at 561-665-1990 or online to make an appointment for your free consultation.
