Among the myriad of potential injuries you can sustain in a car accident, brain injuries are among the most severe and life-altering. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result from a direct impact to the head, a violent jolt or even a penetration of the skull by an object, all of which can disrupt the delicate workings of the brain.
These injuries can have unignorable effects on your overall quality of life. Understanding the potential consequences of a brain injury from a car accident is crucial for proper management and/or recovery.
Physical and cognitive impacts
The physical aftermath of a brain injury can include insistent headaches, disarming dizziness, inexplicable fatigue and unignorable sleep disturbances. More severe injuries can lead to motor impairments such as complete or partial paralysis, muscle weakness and coordination difficulties. These physical limitations often require extensive rehabilitation and can permanently alter your ability to perform everyday tasks.
Cognitive impacts are equally debilitating because they can cause:
- Memory loss
- Difficulties with attention and concentration
- Impaired judgment
- Reduced problem-solving abilities
These cognitive challenges may interfere with your ability to work and maintain relationships. Some TBI victims may even struggle with communication, struggling to express themselves or understand others.
Emotional and behavioral changes
Emotional and behavioral changes can easily be overlooked, yet they are also critical elements of brain injury. Mood swings may catch you off guard, and you may also suddenly become easily irritable. It’s also scary to think that you may start to grapple with anxiety, depression and personality changes, which can make you feel alienated from yourself. For example, if you’ve always known yourself to be calm, it can be disturbing for you and your family if you become impulsive and easily frustrated.
Unfortunately, these changes can easily strain your personal relationships, especially if your loved ones don’t know why you’re changing. It doesn’t help that you may start struggling to understand social cues or respond appropriately in social situations. This can further complicate your interactions with friends, family and colleagues.
Living with a car accident TBI can be incredibly challenging; therefore, you might not want to pass up the opportunity to pursue compensation for your injuries. By speaking with a trusted legal team, you can work to hold an at-fault party accountable and get some relief from your financial burdens.