Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blanket term used to describe a number of injuries resulting from sudden trauma or impact on the brain. TBIs can range from mild to severe. In some cases, TBIs can be life-threatening, involving immediate medical treatment such as emergency surgery. Severe traumatic brain injury can have devastating consequences for motorcycle crash victims which may be permanent. Motorcycle crash victims who experience traumatic brain injury should contact a brain injury attorney as soon as possible for legal assistance.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury is categorized based on the nature of damage to the brain. There are three main types of traumatic brain injury: contusions, concussions, and penetrating brain injuries. Motorcycle crash victims who suspect any form of traumatic brain injury should seek immediate medical attention. Those with moderate to severe injuries are advised to seek an experienced motorcycle traumatic brain injury lawyer to recover financial compensation for their medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contusions
Brain contusions are also called cerebral contusions. This type of traumatic brain injury occurs when brain tissues become bruised and swollen. Nearly any type of head trauma can cause a contusion. It is estimated that roughly 20 to 30 percent of severe head injuries result in some form of contusion on the brain.
Concussions
Concussions are the most common type of brain injury. Most concussion patients experience full recovery within a few weeks of the injury. However, some may experience persisting complications for years after the injury. A concussion involves temporary brain function loss which may be accompanied by varying degrees of cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms.
Penetrating Brain Injury
These occur when the dura, or outer brain lining, is pierced by a foreign object. Piercing objects can include debris such as metal or glass parts from a motorcycle accident, or fragments of the patient’s skull that enter the brain due to violent impact. Immediate medical attention is required for penetrating brain injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury Effects
The symptoms and effects experienced after a traumatic brain injury will depend on the nature and severity of the injury. In mild to moderate cases, motorcycle crash victims may experience manageable symptoms and a complete recovery. However, those who experience severe traumatic brain injury may suffer lifelong effects.
Mild to moderate traumatic brain injury may cause effects such as:
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Confusion
- Tired eyes or blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Lethargy or fatigue
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Severe traumatic brain injury will often exhibit symptoms that are similar to more mild or moderate cases, in addition to more impacting symptoms. Severe traumatic brain injury victims may suffer temporary or permanent convulsions and seizures. Other symptoms include pupil dilation, numbness or weakness in the fingers and toes, loss of coordination, profound confusion, and changes in mood and behavior.
Sources:
“Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 Mar. 2014. Web. 28 June 2014. <http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/>.
“NINDS Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page.” Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 4 June 2014. Web. 28 June 2014. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm>.
“Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).” Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, n.d. Web. 28 June 2014. <http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/tbi/>.