Traumatic Brain Injuries from a Car Accident in Kansas City

Using a car or other motor vehicle every day, either as a driver or passenger, puts you at risk for being involved in an accident. Unfortunately, you cannot control the actions of others. While not every accident leads to deadly consequences, enough do that it is important to remain cautious and aware with your choices.

Surviving a car accident does not mean walking away unscathed. One of the most serious injuries is also one of the most misunderstood, and has some of the most dangerous results. Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and the effects of those injuries can last a lifetime.

What causes traumatic brain injuries?

Any car accident has the potential to cause a traumatic brain injury if it happens at the right speed, the right force, and the right angle. While seatbelts make sure we are not ejected from our vehicles, we could still be subject to injuries sustained by slamming around inside our car or against any other passengers involved. More often than not, this leads to some form of TBI. Of course, anyone who is not wearing their seatbelt is at a higher risk for these (and other) injuries, which is why it is always recommended for anyone in any vehicle.

Any of the following wrecks could result in traumatic brain injuries:

• T-Bone accidents, most commonly in intersections
• Head-on crashes
• Rear-end crashes
• Multi-vehicle crashes

This is not a comprehensive list, but the above have the highest chance of forcing your head to slam against something hard enough to damage your brain.

What are the signs of a TBI?

What that damage looks like varies greatly depending on how and where it happened, which is why getting medical help as quickly as possible is so important, even if you feel okay. Mild forms of traumatic brain injuries do exist, but in car accidents, they are typically moderate to severe. If that is the case, symptoms to look out for include:

• Repeated vomiting and/or nausea
• Persistent headache or a headache that gets steadily worse
• Loss of consciousness for any length of time
• Seizures or convulsions
• Loss of coordination
• Slurred speech
• Profound confusion
• Unusual behavior
• Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
• Unnatural and/or asymmetrical pupil dilation

This, again, is not a comprehensive list. Brain injuries that are traumatic enough can lead to coma or death, especially if the person waits to get treatment. That is why even mild traumatic brain injuries should still be taken to a medical professional as quickly as possible.

Seeking compensation in Kansas City for the effects of a TBI

As many people find out the hard way, a severe traumatic brain injury is typically not something that heals entirely. These catastrophic disabilities can lead to a life-time of pain, treatments, medications, and assistive care depending on the severity. Of course, this is also after the initial costs of hospitalization, any surgeries, and any treatments given in their custody. This means that someone else’s negligence can cost you everything if you do not take action to protect yourself.

Do not make the mistake of assuming this can never happen to you. In Missouri alone, over 100,000 people are living with disabilities as a result of a traumatic brain injury, and that number is anything but fixed. Vehicle collisions are the third leading cause of these injuries which means it is likelier an accident will cause a TBI than will not. A skilled Kansas City personal injury attorney can help make sure your finances are safe and protected so you can focus on recovery and adaption to your new normal. You can – and deserve to – receive financial compensation for any and all of your medical bills in the past, present, and future, you lost wages (current and potential) and your pain and suffering.

Even if a loved one needs to act on your behalf, you want to get an attorney started on your personal injury car accident attorney as quickly as possible both to have ample time to build your case and to document important details while they are still fresh and new. Alongside getting medical attention as quickly as possible, you want to save all bills, notices, and anything a court could consider evidence. While this may sound daunting, remember that no one expects you to do this alone. Hire an attorney immediately so they can track down and save information like this for you, while keeping you and your loved ones informed of all important dates, requirements, and details to keep track of.

If you are suffering from a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence or recklessness of another Missouri or Kansas driver, you should never have to worry about affording your treatment or supporting your family. At the Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our experienced and aggressive car accident lawyers are ready to fight on your behalf to hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries and trauma. We know how to make your case stand out and prevent the greed of insurance companies from robbing you of a single dime. Proudly serving clients throughout Kansas and Missouri, we have offices in Kansas City, Parkville, St. Joseph, Lee’s Summit, Overland Park, and Olathe. Call us today to get started at 816-471-5111 or use our contact form.