It is Brain Injury Awareness Month

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. An acquired brain injury is damage to the brain caused by events after birth, which includes Traumatic Brain Injury, Brain Tumor, anoxia, infection and poisoning. Traumatic brain injuries can have a major impact on individuals and their families. What is a traumatic brain injury, or TBI? It is a jolt, blow, or bump to the head that disrupts normal functioning of the brain. Motor vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury; causing 17 percent of all TBIs and resulting in the largest average of fatalities pertaining to brain injury.

Do know the signs of a brain injury following an auto accident? Be on the lookout for these symptoms:

Physical:

• Headache or Dizziness
• Fuzzy or Blurred Vision or Glossy eyes
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Light or Noise sensitivity
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling sluggish or Lethargic
• Loss of coordination
• Numbness

Cognitive:

• Difficulty thinking clearly
• Trouble concentrating or remembering new information
• Feeling slowed down
• Emotional:
• Irritable or More emotional than normal
• Nervous or Anxious

If you or a loved one experiences a TBI, seek medical attention immediately and follow up by contacting the brain injury attorneys at Rutter Mills. Although the signs may not be initially apparent, serious signs can appear far after the accident. The Brain Injury Alliance states that, approximately 90% of concussions are not associated with a loss of consciousness. The delay in symptoms can range from five minutes to three hours after the accident. Some head injuries can take up to 48 hours to fully show the extent of damage.

How can you prevent a serious brain injury? If you are a motorcyclist, wear a DOT Certified helmet. Is a child your passenger? Properly use a child safety seat. And for yourself as well as other passengers in your motor vehicle? Buckle up. Simply wearing a seat belt each time you ride in a car you can cut your chance for a serious injury or death in half.

A brain injury can be very serious following an accident. Effects of a brain injury can include impaired thinking, memory, movement, sensation(vision or hearing) or emotional function. If you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury or other serious injury, Rutter Mills is here to help. Please contact a personal injury attorney at 757-6777-7777 by phone or text today to arrange an appointment.