Some auto accidents seemingly result in only damage to two or more vehicles and no injuries to the drivers or passengers. What is common, however, but not often acknowledged, is that plenty of car accidents also lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI). The force of two or more cars colliding can do plenty of unseen damage, the result of which could lead to a person’s financial ruin.
The Catastrophic Side Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
To understand why a TBI can cause serious financial strain, it’s important to first understand how a TBI works. There are different types of traumatic brain injuries, ranging from moderate concussions to serious brain damage. Whether low-level or serious, TBIs can lead to a variety of side effects, including mood and behavioral changes, dizziness, nausea, sensory issues, and physical disability. Some of the most critical TBIs can lead to coma and even death.
The type of TBI suffered in a car accident is often considered a low-level TBI – a concussion. The brain is shaken or jarred because of trauma to the head or neck. Even though, in some cases, a TBI may not present as anything much immediately following the accident, this injury can become very serious, which is why it’s always wise to seek out a hospital with a brain trauma center following an auto accident to ensure that even the smallest TBI symptoms are not overlooked.
TBIs Can Result In Job Loss
The side effects of even the most mild traumatic brain injuries caused by a car accident can change a person’s behavior and abilities, meaning they might not be able to carry out the same sort of work they once did, whether they were sitting behind a computer, standing in front of a judge, or doing heavy lifting.
Though financial planners suggest that every modern household strive to create a savings account that could carry them through several months without income and without incurring debt, the reality is that this sort of backup plan is difficult for many Americans to achieve. In some cases, people who miss even one or two days of work could put their job in jeopardy, let alone their paycheck.
Some TBIs require recuperation of many weeks or months. When hospitalization or medical treatment is necessary, auto accident victims may need to take a leave of absence from their job or, ultimately, be forced to quit. Disability can be an option, but it isn’t always enough, especially for people who don’t have the kind of savings, investments, or health insurance to stay afloat while they get better. In some TBI situations, there is no getting back to full health, and a person who once supported his or her family is no longer able to earn a living.
When a traumatic brain injury suffered as a result of an auto accident is affecting your entire life, you and your family don’t have to fear for the future. Victims of car accidents resulting in brain injury must hire an expert attorney who is adept at proving the hard-to-prove TBI.
