What Happens When the Brain Gets Hurt?

Brain Injury Lawyer

Accidents happen every day. People set out with their usual daily routine, only to have it interrupted by an event that upends life. Whether the collision results in property damage or worse, it forces a change in perspective in many ways.

Sustaining an injury in an accident may be an inconvenience, or it may change the way you live. Some people walk away from the scene of a crash or work incident with scratches, while others may not walk away at all. One of the worst and most catastrophic injuries one can suffer is to the brain. When this organ gets hurt, the entire body may suffer. Take a look at what a brain injury is and what the consequences may be for those who are unfortunate enough to suffer one.

Mechanics of a Brain Injury
Much like the inner workings of your smartphone, the brain is what keeps your body running. The heart may supply the blood to the body, but it is the brain that tells the heart to pump. When the brain gets hurt, it is not usually a simple fix. An injury that involves head trauma and cracks the skull may cause blood vessels to burst. While these may eventually stop leaking and start healing, the reality is any damage that involves bleeding in the brain may lead to injury other than the area hit. For instance, getting in an accident and having the back of your head hit the pavement may cause that part of the brain to misfire. Depending on what functions are housed in that area, you may experience anything from insomnia to paralysis.

Symptoms of an Injury
The brain is a vast and complicated network of neurons. Each spot is programmed to a different area of the body. A person who is dealing with head trauma may not feel much at first. As the bruising spreads in the brain, symptoms may come on strong. The first signs of a brain injury include things like:

  • Increasing headache
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Extreme exhaustion
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Blurry vision

When a patient who has been in an accident gives these signs to the doctor, a brain scan should be ordered.

Side Effects of Brain Trauma
Some brain injuries improve to the point the patient does not feel any residual symptoms. However, if the trauma is severe enough and the damage significant, the brain may never be the same. In some instances, this results in a loss of bodily function, whether it be sensory or cognitive.

People who have to deal with severe brain damage need a lifetime of medical care and rehabilitation. Visit a brain injury lawyer, like a brain injury lawyer in Memphis, TN, for guidance on what to do should someone you know suffer this catastrophic injury.

Thank you to the experts at Darrell Castle & Associates for their insight into brain injuries and the law.