Mild Traumatic Brain Injury After a St. Louis Car Accident

Mild traumatic brain injuries are common in car crashes but are often overlooked. Here’s why they should be taken seriously.

Most people have heard about traumatic brain injuries as they are among the most severe brain injuries one can go through. Many people don’t know that car accidents are the second leading cause of TBIs. Mild traumatic brain injuries are even more common in car crashes but often overlooked. 

Mild traumatic brain injuries should always be taken seriously as they can lead to some devastating symptoms. 

Here’s what you should know about mild traumatic brain injuries. 

Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Cause Concerning Symptoms

Doctors consider a mild TBI a brain injury where the victim has only lost consciousness for a brief period, and there are no abnormalities shown during an MRI or CT scan. On the other hand, a severe traumatic brain injury can lead to the loss of consciousness for several hours and visible abnormalities shown in an MRI or CT scan. 

Most mild traumatic brain injuries resolve on their own. However, some victims can experience ongoing cognitive, physical, and psychological problems, such as: 

• Inability to focus
• Headaches
• Fogginess and slow thinking
• Memory problems
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Depression and anxiety

Why Are Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries So Difficult to Diagnose?

Doctors rely on MRIs, and CT scans to look for visible abnormalities in the brain. However, if the machines are too old, they may not be able to detect any microtrauma that your brain might have suffered during the impact. 

Studies have shown that imaging machines show brain abnormalities in less than 10% of people with a mild traumatic brain injury. However, more advanced MRI machines can detect microtrauma and accurately diagnose mild TBIs. 

If you were injured in a car accident and the MRI used was pretty old or if your doctor didn’t request contrast dye or wasn’t looking for microtrauma, then a diagnosis that says no TBIs isn’t may not be accurate. You should discuss this with your attorney.

What Can You Do?

If your mild traumatic brain injury isn’t diagnosed, the insurance company can dispute your claim or offer lower compensation. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is lost. Traumatic brain injuries can take a while to show their first symptoms. If you experience any of the signs mentioned above or any other odd symptoms, go to your doctor as soon as possible. Let them know that you’ve been in a car accident and suffered head trauma. Even though your scans are clear, they might do a bit more investigation to figure out the cause of your symptoms. 

You should also get in touch with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer who has experience with traumatic brain injuries as soon as possible. They will know what type of evidence you need and how to negotiate with the insurance company to get you a fair settlement that will cover past and future expenses.