A traumatic brain injury can happen in just a few seconds, but its effects can last for the rest of a person’s life. After an Illinois car accident, someone with a head injury might think they are “fine” at first. Later, they may start having headaches, memory problems, mood changes, or trouble thinking clearly days or even weeks after the crash. Brain injuries are often misunderstood and can be some of the most serious and life-changing injuries caused by car accidents.
Because brain injury symptoms may not show up right away or may not be easy to see, insurance companies sometimes question whether the injury is real or claim the crash did not cause it.
A traumatic brain injury affects not only the injured person but also their family. The effects can last for months, years, or even a lifetime. Many people with a TBI have trouble going back to work, keeping up relationships, or managing everyday tasks.
Because traumatic brain injuries are often invisible, other people may not understand how serious they are. Insurance companies, employers, friends, and even family members may not fully see what the injured person is going through.
Understanding how serious a TBI can be is the first step in protecting your health and your right to seek compensation. Working with an experienced Chicago brain injury lawyer can make a big difference in how your case turns out.
Understanding Chicago Car Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury happens when a sudden force affects how the brain works. In an Illinois car accident, this can happen even if the person does not hit their head directly.
A concussion is the most common type of brain injury. It happens when the brain is shaken inside the skull. This shaking can cause chemical changes and temporarily affect how the brain functions.
Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, sensitivity to light, or mood changes. These symptoms might not show up right away and can appear hours or even days after the accident.
Diffuse Axonal Injury is one of the most serious types of brain injury. It happens when strong twisting or spinning forces stretch or tear the tiny nerve fibers in the brain that carry signals between brain cells.
A person with this type of injury may look “normal” on the outside, but the damage inside the brain can be very serious. Diffuse Axonal Injuries often cause long periods of unconsciousness, lasting problems with thinking and memory, or permanent disability.
A brain contusion, also called a cerebral contusion, is a bruise on the brain. It usually happens when the head is hit, and the brain strikes the inside of the skull.
This type of injury can cause swelling, bleeding, and pressure inside the brain. Symptoms may include irritability, weakness in part of the body, memory problems, and trouble thinking clearly.
A penetrating brain injury is not common in most car accidents, but it can happen. This type of injury occurs when an object, such as broken metal, glass, or other debris, goes through the skull and damages the brain.
Penetrating brain injuries are usually very serious and can be life-threatening. They often require emergency surgery.
Why Are TBIs Frequently Misdiagnosed or Overlooked?
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may not show up right away. In the emergency room, doctors usually treat life-threatening injuries first. Early scans may look normal, even if there is a brain injury.
Many brain injuries require special testing to fully diagnose. Some people may ignore their symptoms at first or blame them on the stress of the crash. But if the symptoms continue or get worse, it could be a sign of a TBI.
Common symptoms that may appear later include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision or other vision problems
- Sensitivity to light
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Depression
- Sleep problems
Unfortunately, when brain injury symptoms show up later or are not diagnosed right away in the emergency room, it can create problems later. Insurance companies may use this delay to question the injury when the victim tries to recover compensation.
What Damages Are Available for Long-Term TBI Victims?
People who suffer a traumatic brain injury in a car accident may be able to recover money for many types of losses. This can include current and future medical bills, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation.
They may also seek compensation for lost wages and for income they may lose in the future if they cannot return to work. In addition, they can ask for money for pain and suffering. This includes physical pain, emotional distress, and conditions like PTSD.
A person with a traumatic brain injury may also be able to recover money for loss of enjoyment of life and for a permanent disability. In very serious cases, they may need long-term care or assisted living, and those costs can also be included in a claim.
Under Illinois law, which follows a modified comparative negligence rule (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), the injured person cannot be more than 50 percent at fault for the accident that caused the brain injury in order to recover compensation.
Talk to a Chicago Brain Injury Lawyer Today
A TBI can transform your life in ways that are hard to see and even harder to explain. You deserve support, clear answers, and a fair chance to recover compensation for what you have been through.
If you or someone you love suffered a brain injury in a Chicago car accident, call a Chicago brain injury lawyer at Fabbrini Law Group today at (312) 494-3131 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your confidential case review.