Three people were injured, two seriously, in a head-on collision that occurred on Lake Underhill Road in Orlando on July 8, 2015. The collision resulted in a fire that trapped all three people, who had to be rescued by the fire department. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, one of the drivers was issued a ticket for careless driving.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury

Some injuries that result from car accidents, such as broken bones, burns, and open wounds, are immediately obvious. However, some injuries to the brain are not immediately obvious at the time of the car accident. A person may suffer a traumatic brain injury or “TBI” even though the person does not physically strike his or her head on any object, and the resulting impairments of such a traumatic brain injury could be life-altering and devastating.

It is important to understand what causes TBI and what symptoms can result from TBI. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) estimates that 1.7 million people in the U.S. suffer TBI each year. Of those 1.7 million people, 275,000 are hospitalized, and 1.365 million are treated and released from emergency departments. (See the CDC fact sheet on TBI here). The top three causes of TBI are car accidents, firearm injuries, and falls.

Injury to the head can result from an open head wound, such as a gunshot or some other penetration of the skull, or a closed head wound, such as striking one’s head on a fixed object but the skin and head does not open. TBI can range in severity from mild to severe and can be associated with a wide array of symptoms. (Medical professionals typically use a rating system, called the Glasgow Coma Score, to rate a TBI as mild, moderate, or severe). A common type of TBI that most people associate with brain injury is a concussion.   When the person’s head is struck, the person may black out or lose consciousness. The person may be forgetful, have a headache, and have balance problems, dizziness, or blurred vision.

Symptoms of Mild TBI

Mild TBI is often missed or undiagnosed at the time of the car accident or initial medical examination. It is important to be able to recognize symptoms of mild TBI. These symptoms include:

  • Fatigue;
  • Dizziness;
  • Headaches;
  • Loss of memory;
  • Visual problems;
  • Inability to concentrate or pay attention;
  • Irritability or other emotional issues;
  • Seizures;
  • Loss of smell;
  • Nausea;
  • Sensitivity to light and sounds; and
  • Inability to think quickly.

Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney Now

If you have been involved in a car accident, and particularly if you think you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. The Florida attorneys at Reed & Reed are here to help you through this difficult time and are able to assess your case to determine whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Because mild TBI cases are so delicate and complex, an experienced personal injury attorney is needed to ensure your rights and entitlements are protected. From our office in Brandon, we help clients in Tampa, New Tampa, Plant City, East Hillsborough County and throughout the state of Florida. Contact Reed & Reed for a free consultation.