The types of injuries one can sustain from an automobile or truck accident are nearly limitless. Moreover, the medical expenses associated with injury and death resulting from an automobile accident may be astronomical depending - in part - on the type and extent of trauma. Let us consider some of the more common types of injuries from vehicle collisions.
Automobile accidents are the leading cause of Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI. Most commonly TBI results in a concussion, coma and post traumatic amnesia. A person who suffers from a concussion briefly loses consciousness - from seconds to minutes - due to a blow to the head.
However, a severe traumatic brain injury will cause a person to fall into a coma which is a complete loss of consciousness which can last days, weeks or even years. Persons in a coma do not react to those around them but remain in a state of deep sleep.
Those who fall into a coma are more likely to suffer permanent neurological damage.
If a patient rouses from a coma they enter the post traumatic amnesia stage. They are now able to respond to commands but are still in a state of confusion marked by cognitive impairment.
An inability to focus, memory lapses, distractibility, and staring blankly are all symptoms of this stage. As well, a patient will exhibit behavior changes that run the gamut from passive to aggressive and inhibited to disinhibited. They may also be unable to control themselves and behave impulsively without thought.
While medical advancements in the field of traumatic brain injury continue to occur - it is still a devastating event for all concerned.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston personal injury lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner Law firm which has extensive experience with closed head injury litigation.
If you or a loved one need an experienced head injury attorney contact the Baumgartner Law Firm.
