Long-Term Consequences of Brain Injuries

Individuals who strike their heads in motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls, sports-related accidents, bicycle crashes, or even pedestrian accidents may develop a traumatic brain injury. They can also occur when there is no impact to the head itself.  Brain injuries are very complex injuries that often require immediate and ongoing treatment.

If you do not receive the appropriate care for your brain injury, it may become worse and potentially lead to long-term consequences.

What are the symptoms of a brain injury?

It is important to know that the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can vary from person to person. This means that the symptoms you experience can be completely different from another person who has the exact same brain injury. However, any time that you notice that something doesn’t feel right, you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Here are some of the symptoms of a brain injury that you should keep an eye out for if you have recently been involved in an accident:

• Headaches
• Light or sound sensitivity
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Speech issues
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or balancing problems
• Blurred vision
• Ear ringing
• Strange tastes
• Inability to focus, concentrate, or recall events
• Feeling confused or dazed
• Losing consciousness
• Mood swings
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Increased anxiety or depression

How soon do symptoms start appearing?

Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can appear instantly, or they can take hours, days, or weeks to appear. Therefore, even if you do not experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms right away, it is crucial to visit an emergency room or your primary care doctor after an accident for evaluation. They will run tests to determine whether you have any hidden injuries, such as a brain injury, and create a medical treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.

What are the long-term consequences of brain injuries?

While some people are lucky enough to experience only short-term consequences of brain injuries, long-term consequences can arise and impact a person’s daily routine and life going forward. The following are a few of the most common long-term consequences of brain injuries in accident victims:

• Communication problems: Individuals who have severe traumatic brain injuries may have trouble communicating. For example, they may no longer be able to speak clearly, understand what another person is saying, or have a full conversation without needing help. To help with this, a doctor may recommend attending speech therapy appointments to re-learn how to express your thoughts, have conversations, and pronounce words correctly.
• Cognitive issues: Cognitive issues are also very common among those who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident. This may affect their ability to recall certain information, problem solve, make decisions, pay attention, focus, process information, and more. A doctor will likely suggest seeking help through cognitive rehabilitation, which involves doing various types of exercises to strengthen your thinking skills.
• Personality changes: Some people who are diagnosed with brain injuries experience personality changes, which can be heartbreaking for families and friends to see. This may affect the individual’s interests, socialization, temperament, preferred activities, and more. The doctor may recommend psychiatric or counseling appointments to help individuals and their loved ones adapt to and accept these changes.
• Emotional and behavioral challenges: Another common consequence of a traumatic brain injury is emotional and behavioral challenges. This can result in anger or having a short fuse, frequent crying or feeling depressed, increased agitation or irritability, extreme mood swings, and more. Doctors will most likely advise patients to speak to a counselor or psychiatrist to help them overcome these emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Physical or motor skill impairments: Physical or motor skill impairments are very difficult to cope with and adjust to. This typically includes using hands and feet, walking, balancing, swallowing, standing, regulating body temperatures, and more. Some people who suffer a traumatic brain injury may experience paralysis, which can affect their ability to walk or use their limbs. A doctor may recommend physical and occupational therapy to help you re-learn specific motor skills and retrain your brain on how to use your muscles.
• Hearing and vision difficulties: Hearing and vision difficulties often emerge after a traumatic brain injury. This can display itself in the form of decreased hearing, deafness, tinnitus, blurred vision, blindness, involuntary eye movements, inability to judge distance, and more. An eye or hearing doctor may recommend different types of rehabilitation techniques or even surgery to help hearing and vision difficulties that arise from a brain injury.

Have you or a family member recently suffered a brain injury due to another party’s negligence? If so, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a Tulsa personal injury attorney from Biby Law Firm Injury and Accident Lawyers at your earliest convenience. With our decades of experience assisting clients with these types of injuries, we have learned that it is possible for individuals who suffer brain injuries to experience long-term consequences that diminish their quality of life. You can have peace of mind knowing that we do everything we can to fight for your right to justice and the compensation you deserve for the injuries, expenses, and long-term consequences you have faced. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free case review at our Tulsa office today.