What is a Brain Injury?

According to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIA), every brain injury is different. Because of this, the effects of each brain injury vary from patient to patient. However, one this remains the same: brain injuries are extremely complex. The lasting effects of a brain injury depend on a variety of factors including the severity of the accident, what caused the injury and the location of the physical damage. Approximately 1.7 million people suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) every year. The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) reports that falls and motor vehicle accidents are the two of the most common causes of TBI.

Right and Left Brain Injuries

Each side of the human brain serves different functions. The left side regulates analytical, logical, repetitive, detail-oriented, literal and precise behavior. The right side of the brain involves creativity, imagination, intuition, empathy and irregularity. TBI on the left side of the brain may result in language difficulties (speaking and understanding), depression, anxiety, impaired logic, and a decreased ability to move on the right side of the body.

When the right side of the brain suffers and injury, the victim may have difficulty remembering visuals, decreased muscle control on the left side of the body, an altered perception of creativity and music, and an inability to think about future events or long-term events. When both sides of the brain are injured, the individual may have trouble processing information quickly. Additionally, the injured individual may become easily confused, suffer from fatigue and have a decreased attention span.

Mild Brain Injuries

The term mild does not refer to the long-term consequences of the injury. Mild refers to the severity of the initial accident that caused the damage. The brain is extremely complex. In the past, individuals involved in mil car accidents have suffered mild brain injuries because of whiplash. Many times, the consequences of mild brain injuries leave the victim unable to recall short term information. This can lead to difficulty completing everyday tasks (such as cooking or getting dressed) and difficulty balancing. Many mild brain injuries are caused by blunt force trauma.

Living with a Brain Injury

Brain injuries can be unpredictable. Because the brain is so complicated, side effects of a TBI are difficult to anticipate. When the brain is injured, neurons, nerve tracts and different section of the brain can be damaged. A healthy brain is able to send and receive messages to and from various portions of the body. Brain injuries can change the way an individual thinks, processes information, behaves and feels. TBI can also affect the body's systems. This includes breathing, body temperature, blood pressure and metabolism.

Seeking Full Compensation

Have you suffered a TBI? If you injury was the result of someone else's careless actions, you may be entitled to financial compensation. When you collect money for a personal injury, your medical bills, doctor's bills, medical expenses, missed wages and other financial obligations associated with the accident may be taken care of. At Habbas & Associates, we have more than 125 years of experience helping accident victims recover compensation.

If you aren't sure if your case is worth taking to court, call us anyway. Every accident and injury is different. That's why we're ready to give you a case consultation free of charged. We can help you make an educated and informed decision about the future. To see what an attorney from Habbas & Associates can do for your personal injury case, contact us today. With a top-notch lawyer working for you, you can have peace of mind that your case is in good hands.