Traumatic Brain Injuries in Tennessee Car Crashes

We try not to think about what dangers lurk every time we get behind the wheel of the car and head out onto the road. And most of the time, we return home safely. But when the unthinkable happens and a Tennessee car accident occurs, the chances of suffering serious injuries are great. As Memphis auto accident attorneys, we see too many of these injuries.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most devastating car accident injuries. Unfortunately, vehicle collisions are responsible for over half of all TBI cases. Brain injury can happen when:

• The head hits a fixed object in the automobile, like the windshield or the steering wheel.
• The driver or passenger is ejected from the vehicle and head trauma results.
• Even though the head never hits an object, the brain is injured in a crash when the car stops suddenly and the brain is injured as it collides with the skull.
• When the crash occurs, an object penetrates the skull and damages brain cells, vessels and tissues.

Because TBIs occur so frequently, there is much information available about them. Here are some important things to know:

• About half of all TBIs require hospitalization, and the worst cases can cause permanent damage to the brain.
• Sometimes symptoms will not appear for days or even weeks following the accident.
• Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability for both young adults and children.
• An estimated 50,000 people die as a result of TBIs every year.
• Of the total 300,000 people who enter the hospital for TBI injuries each year, over 80,000 will have serious, disabling, long-term problems.
• Any brain injury should be considered an emergency, and medical treatment is necessary.
• When TBIs occur in car accidents, the causes are frequently speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and aggressive driving behaviors.

TBIs can range from mild to severe; the majority being mild. The symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury may include:

• Loss of consciousness or confusion
• Problems concentrating and remembering
• Balance and/or dizziness problems
• Headache, from mild to severe
• Sleep problems ranging from inability to sleep to extreme fatigue
• Anxiety or depression
• Nausea
• Problems with the senses such as ears ringing or blurry vision
• Light and/or sound sensitivity
• Fluctuations in mood

More severe traumatic brain injuries can cause:

• Loss of consciousness
• Unusual confusion, agitation or aggression
• Loss of control of bodily functions including bowel, bladder and coordination
• Vomiting, nausea, seizures and/or convulsions
• Draining of fluids from the ears and/or nose
• Sleepiness to the point of being unable to awaken
• Slurring of the speech
• Coordination and balance problems

Clearly, traumatic brain injuries are serious and can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a TBI in a Tennessee car accident and someone else caused it, you may want to get some legal help.

The Memphis auto accident attorneys at Bailey & Greer know just how difficult the time following a crash can be. Call us today toll-free at 901-680-9777 to request a free consultation.