Key Takeaways:

• Even minor rear-end collisions can cause traumatic brain injuries. Sudden acceleration-deceleration forces at impact can push the brain against the skull, causing harm.
• Seeking medical help is crucial even if you feel fine, as TBI symptoms may not appear immediately after an accident.
• Insurance companies frequently downplay brain injuries or deny TBI claims, which is why meticulously documenting your symptoms, following your treatment plan, and working with an attorney can be vital for recovering fair compensation.

You’re stopped at a red light when suddenly, there’s a bang, and your head snaps forward and then backward. At first, you don’t feel any pain, but in the following days, you notice unsettling symptoms like headaches or difficulty concentrating. These symptoms could be signs of a traumatic brain injury.

Insurance companies often dismiss rear-end collisions as minor fender benders. In reality, such crashes can cause serious and even life-altering brain injuries. In this article, we’ll explore the symptoms of a TBI to watch for, the challenges of proving these injuries to insurance companies, and how to protect your health and rights to a fair accident settlement.

How Do Rear-End Collisions Cause Brain Injuries?

While you may think that your rear-end accident was harmless, the mechanics of impact create the perfect storm for a brain injury, even at relatively low speeds. When your car is struck from behind, several forces come into play:

• Acceleration-deceleration forces, if strong enough, can cause your brain to strike both the point of impact (coup) and the opposite side (contrecoup).
• Rotational forces can create shearing injuries due to different parts of the brain moving at different speeds.
• Rebound effects occur when your head hits the headrest and then jolts forward.
• Secondary impacts happen when your head strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or window.

These forces can cause injuries from mild concussions to severe TBIs that could require long-term care. What makes these injuries particularly dangerous is that you may not even realize you’re seriously injured. 

Recognizing TBI Symptoms After a Rear-End Collision 

Think recognizing a TBI is straightforward? Think again. TBI symptoms may not appear immediately after your crash, lulling you into a false sense of security. Symptoms could develop days later, so make sure to seek medical advice promptly and monitor yourself carefully after any rear-end collision.

Physical Symptoms

While you may not immediately realize how severely you’re injured, your body issues important clues that something isn’t quite right after a crash. Watch for these physical warning signs:

• Persistent headaches
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue or low energy

Cognitive Symptoms

The cognitive symptoms of a TBI can be frightening, as such injuries can disrupt your thinking processes. And even slight changes in cognitive function can negatively impact your daily life:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Confusion
• Slow thinking
• Difficulty finding words
• Poor decision-making

Emotional Symptoms

One of the most disturbing effects of a TBI can be the changes to your emotions and personality that can leave you feeling unlike yourself:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Personality changes
• Inappropriate emotional responses

If you experience any of these symptoms (or others) after a rear-end collision, see a doctor as soon as possible. While your symptoms may be harmless, they could indicate a serious brain injury requiring prompt treatment.

How to Maximize Your Settlement by Proving a TBI 

TBIs are not just tricky to diagnose; they are also notoriously difficult to prove. Standard imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs may appear normal with a TBI. That’s why it’s essential to take the right steps. Document your injury, protect your health, and strengthen your legal claim:

1. Seek immediate medical attention. Tell medical providers about all symptoms you’re experiencing, no matter how minor or unrelated they seem. Remember: medical records are critical to creating a strong link between your accident and injury.
2. Follow your treatment plan. Missed appointments or failure to follow medical advice can be used to minimize or deny your claim. An insurance company may even assert that you aren’t seriously injured.
3. Document your symptoms. Keep a journal noting any physical symptoms, cognitive difficulties, and emotional changes you’re experiencing.
4. Preserve evidence from the crash. Evidence can include pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Witness contact information and a police report can also be critical evidence proving your claim.
5. Avoid social media activity. Consider taking a break from social media until your case is resolved. Insurance companies may monitor your social media accounts, looking for information they can use to deny or minimize your settlement.
6. Consult a personal injury attorney. If you are significantly injured or struggle to get what you deserve from an insurer, hiring a seasoned personal injury lawyer who has specific TBI experience can be crucial.

The Long-Term Impact of TBIs from Rear-End Collisions

A traumatic brain injury, unlike a broken bone, can have some unsettling and long-lasting effects that significantly impact your quality of life and career. TBI victims may require extensive rehabilitation therapies and could face permanent cognitive and physical challenges affecting their relationships and independence. 

And it’s not just the impacts on your health and career. The financial burden can also be crippling, with the costs of medical therapy potentially reaching hundreds of thousands or even more in severe cases.

Insurance companies know the potential costs of TBIs, which is why they fight these claims aggressively. Make sure you have a skilled advocate by your side to level the playing field in negotiations, as insurers’ settlement offers rarely account for the long-term consequences resulting from a traumatic brain injury.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Your TBI Claim

Don’t just rush to hire any lawyer, but choose someone who has successfully handled complex traumatic brain injury cases. An attorney experienced in TBI litigation can:

• Connect you to medical specialists who understand how to properly diagnose and document brain injuries
• Calculate your damages comprehensively, including future expected medical care and loss of future earning potential
• Present complex medical evidence in terms that insurance adjusters, judges, and juries can understand
• Counter manipulative tactics used by insurance companies to minimize or deny TBI claims
• Negotiate effectively with insurance companies and, if necessary, fight your case in court.

Bradley Law–Your Trusted Legal Ally for TBI Recovery

Our attorneys have helped countless clients injured in motor vehicle crashes get the justice and compensation they deserve. We understand the medical and legal complexities of TBI cases and fight tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the resources they need, not only for their immediate recovery and damages but also for navigating their future lives with a brain injury.

If you’ve been in a rear-end collision and have symptoms indicating a traumatic brain injury, don’t wait to get medical and legal advice. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to understand your legal options and how we can help protect your future.

The post Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from Rear-End Collisions: What You Should Know appeared first on Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers.

St. Louis Personal Injury Law Blog – Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers