Heads Up: Traumatic Brain Injury May Follow a Cedar Rapids Auto Accident
It happens far too often: you may be sitting at a stop light or traveling in your vehicle obeying the road rules when another driver disregards a signal light or stop sign and crashes into your car. When a vehicle is rear-ended or involved in a violent crash in Cedar Rapids, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur and occupants can suffer catastrophic injuries as a result.
When another driver does not obey the road rules, traumatic brain injuries may be a victim’s reality.
Sadly, the leading cause of TBIs in Iowa and across this nation is motor vehicle accidents. According to recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.7 million people suffer traumatic brain injuries each year in the U.S.
How Do TBIs Occur?
Traumatic brain injuries are generally caused by a blow to the head or serious jolt, such as the violent motion that takes place in an Eastern Iowa car crash. This can occur when a driver hits his head on the steering wheel or occupants hit their heads on the windshield or other surfaces in the car.
The Affects of TBIs
Because brain injuries can range from mild to severe and even fatal, they can have a wide range of side effects. The physical affects can include temporary or permanent changes to a victim’s speech, eyesight, hearing, and cognitive skills. Victims of TBIs can be affected physically, emotionally, intellectually and behaviorally. Brain injuries can cause:
- Personality changes
- Speech issues
- Memory and thinking difficulties
- Coordination and balance problems
- Death
Brains do not heal themselves like other organs do, so if the front part of the head is injured in an Iowa car crash, the victim’s higher functions may be affected. If something penetrates the skull, a victim may suffer permanent or even fatal injuries.
Because a traumatic brain injury can cause a lifestyle change, the victim and the victim’s family may be emotionally and financially affected for a lifetime. A victim may need surgery, long term care, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and more. This injury can place a strain on the victim’s family. If your TBI was caused in a Cedar Rapids car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income and more.
Contact a skilled Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Brady Preston Gronlund to schedule a free legal consultation and find out your rights after an Eastern Iowa car accident. You can reach our office at (319) 866-9277.