A serious injury a driver in Mississippi should watch for after a vehicle crash is a traumatic brain injury. A TBI happens when the head violently hits a hard surface of the vehicle, such as a dashboard. TBIs range from mild to very serious and the driver may experience several types.
Mild TBIs
Mild TBIs usually cause a brief loss of consciousness lasting no more than 30 minutes or no loss of consciousness. The patient commonly recovers in a few days or weeks with no lasting symptoms or serious impairment.
However, 15% of patients with a mild TBI have experienced lingering symptoms according to research. A concussion is a common mild TBI, which may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and loss of balance.
Moderate to severe TBIs
A driver who experiences a moderate to severe TBI commonly has similar symptoms to a mild TBI. The difference is they may lose consciousness for several hours or more and have headaches that worsen.
Some other common symptoms of a moderate TBI include seizures or convulsions, sensory issues, sleep disturbances, pupil dilations in one or both eyes, persistent nausea and vomiting and headaches. The patient can commonly recover with support, but they may have to adapt to permeant health issues.
A moderate to severe brain injury could also cause behavioral, cognitive and communication issues. A common issue patients with a moderate to severe TBI may face is knowing what they want to say, but they cannot put it into words. It could also affect their ability to follow directions, understand basic concepts, and read non-verbal cues.
Serious injury can happen regardless of speed, so drivers should never think they are fine after motor vehicle accidents. They may be able to recover damages with the help of an attorney.
