How Are TBIs Treated?
The impact of a traffic accident can be immense, and it can lead to very serious injuries that include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In fact, car accidents are a primary cause of TBIs, and these injuries are as dangerous as they are unpredictable. If you or someone you love has suffered a TBI as a result of another driver’s negligence, don’t delay reaching out and consulting with an experienced Reading, PA, TBI accident attorney.
TBIs
TBIs are caused by a blow to the head or by the severe shaking of the head on the neck, and each of these is common in car accidents. TBIs lead to thousands of deaths each year in the United States, and those who survive these injuries often face permanent health concerns that can affect every facet of their lives.
The CDC reports the following five-year outcomes for victims of serious TBIs:
- Thirty percent experience a worsening of symptoms
- Twenty-six percent experience some improvements
- Twenty-two percent stay the same
- 22 percent die
Treatment and Care
The Mayo Clinic reports that treatment for moderate to severe TBIs focuses on ensuring each of the following:
- That the victim doesn’t suffer any additional injury to his or her head or neck
- That the victim has enough oxygen
- That the victim has adequate blood supply
- That the victim’s blood pressure is maintained
Treatment
Each TBI case is treated on an individualized basis, and because the brain is involved, it’s difficult to predict the direction that treatment will need to take and the outcome of the specific case. Treatments, such as the following, however, are often employed:
- Anti-Seizure Drugs – Victims of moderate to severe TBIs are especially vulnerable to seizures in the week following the accident.
- Diuretics – Diuretics help to reduce pressure on and within the brain.
- Coma-Inducing Drugs – Coma-inducing drugs reduce the amount of oxygen the brain needs, which can afford victims a better chance of survival.
- Surgery – Surgeries to reduce the risk of blood clots, to stop bleeding in the brain, to repair skull fractures, or to relieve pressure in the skull may also be required.
Rehabilitation
Another primary element of the recovery process after a TBI is rehabilitation. Victims often need to relearn basic life skills, including walking and talking. Very serious TBIs can leave those who suffer from them in need of long-term or even permanent assistance with the activities of daily living.
The kinds of specialists who tend to participate in rehabilitation for TBI victims include the following:
- Occupational, physical, and speech therapists
- Psychiatrists
- Neuropsychologists
- Vocational counselors
- Recreational therapists
An Experienced Reading PA Car Accident Attorney Is on Your Side
The formidable car accident attorneys at Fanelli, Evans & Patel, P.C., in Reading, Pennsylvania, appreciate just how serious the losses associated with TBIs tend to be and will leave no stone unturned in their dedicated pursuit of the compensation to which you are entitled and that you need to reach your fullest recovery. Learn more by contacting us online or calling 484-869-2113 today.