Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most severe and life-altering injuries a person can suffer. Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries are falls, motor vehicle accidents, and assault. Unfortunately, TBIs are often misunderstood. There are many myths about traumatic brain injuries that can confuse people. These myths can prevent people from recognizing the symptoms, seeking medical care, and understanding their legal rights after an injury. In this article, we debunk five common myths about TBIs to help you better understand the condition and take informed steps toward recovery and protecting your legal rights.
#1: You Have to Hit Your Head to Sustain a TBI
There is a common misconception that you must hit your head to suffer a traumatic brain injury. While most people suffer a TBI after hitting their head, you don’t have to hit your head to suffer a traumatic brain injury. TBIs can also occur when an external force shakes the brain inside the skull. For example, during a car crash, the force of impact can cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull, leading to a TBI. Such an injury can be just as serious as those that occur when you hit your head.
#2: All Traumatic Brain Injuries Are the Same
Traumatic brain injuries vary in severity: mild, moderate, or severe. Each level varies in symptoms, duration, and effects. A mild TBI might result in temporary confusion or headache, while a moderate to severe TBI might result in convulsions or loss of consciousness for several minutes or hours.
#3: TBIs Can Always Be Seen on a CT Scan or MRI
Another common misconception is that if your CT scan or MRI is normal, you cannot have suffered a TBI. A CT scan or an MRI checks if the brain has suffered structural damage. Many forms of brain trauma affect the brain’s function, not its structure, and an MRI or CT scan may not be able to detect these changes. Because of this, medical professionals rely on cognitive testing, neurological evaluations, and patient-reported symptoms when diagnosing traumatic brain injuries.
#4: TBIs Can Only Occur in High-Impact Accidents
If you were in a low-impact accident, you may believe there is no way you could have suffered a TBI. While high-impact accidents, such as a high-speed car accident, are a common cause of TBIs, these injuries can also occur from seemingly minor accidents, such as a low-speed rear-end accident. Such an accident can cause the brain to move within the skull, leading to a brain injury. Just because your accident was not “severe,” does not mean you did not suffer a TBI. Seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis.
#5: If You Look Fine, You Must Be Fine
Some people mistakenly believe that if a person looks fine on the outside, they must not be seriously hurt. However, TBIs are often called “invisible injuries” because their symptoms are not always outwardly noticeable. This invisible nature of TBIs can cause some people to underestimate or doubt the challenges caused by these injuries, even though the effects may be life-altering.
Contact an Experienced TBI Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact our experienced brain injury counsel at Griggs Injury Law for help understanding your legal rights and options.
