As anyone who has suffered a concussion will tell you, the head is a very delicate part of the body. If you are involved in a car crash, even if it seems like a minor rear-end collision, the impact could be enough to cause severe head trauma, including a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Symptoms of a head injury may not be apparent at first, which is why an immediate medical evaluation is essential following a traffic accident.
The connection between TBI and a car crash
Not surprisingly, more than half of all the traumatic brain injuries reported nationwide result from vehicle accidents. When a crash occurs, your head does not need to strike the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield for the force to severely injure your brain. Even if your car is rear-ended at a slow speed, the jarring impact might be enough to cause your brain to collide with the inside of your skull. This could cause internal bruising or bleeding, which could be quite serious.
Issues that lead to collisions
There are all kinds of bad driving behavior that lead to traffic accidents, including drunk driving, texting or talking on the phone. However, automotive defects can also cause crashes. You might have a defective airbag or seat belt, leading to much more severe injuries in a rear-end collision. The car behind you could collide with yours because of simple tire failure. The issue here is that, no matter the cause, an accident could lead to serious injuries, including TBI.
Taking the initiative
Seeking immediate medical care following an accident even if you don’t notice symptoms. This is critical both for the sake of your health and for your ability to secure full and fair financial compensation for your injury. If the damage to your brain is severe, it could be debilitating, and you could have physical, cognitive or behavioral issues for the rest of your life.