Traumatic Brain Injuries After an Accident in Colorado
A traumatic brain injury can be one of the most difficult consequences of a serious accident because the injury is not always obvious to the people around you — or even to you.
There may be no cast, scar or other visible indication of what has changed. A person may be able to walk, speak and carry on a conversation while struggling with memory, concentration, headaches, fatigue, balance, emotional changes or the ability to perform tasks that were routine before the accident.
At VanMeveren Law Group, we represent people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries because of another person’s negligence. From our Fort Collins office, we help injured people and their families understand their legal options and pursue compensation that reflects not only their immediate medical expenses, but the longer-term consequences of the injury.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, occurs when an external force disrupts normal brain function. Car accidents, falls, bicycle and pedestrian accidents and other serious incidents can all cause brain injuries.
Some TBIs involve a direct blow to the head. Others can occur when rapid acceleration, deceleration or rotation causes the brain to move inside the skull.
Brain injuries also vary enormously in severity. A concussion is considered a form of traumatic brain injury, but more serious injuries can result in permanent cognitive impairment, physical limitations or an inability to live and work independently.
Can You Have a Brain Injury Without Losing Consciousness?
Yes.
Loss of consciousness can occur with a traumatic brain injury, but it is not necessary for someone to have suffered a TBI.
That can make these injuries particularly confusing after an accident. Someone may initially believe they are fine and only later begin experiencing persistent headaches, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, sleep disturbances or changes in mood.
Symptoms that develop or persist after an accident should be discussed with an appropriate medical professional.
When Other People Notice That Something Has Changed
One of the unusual aspects of a brain injury is that family members, friends or coworkers may recognize changes before the injured person does.
Someone who previously managed a demanding job may suddenly have difficulty staying organized. A normally patient person may become unusually irritable. A person may repeat questions, forget conversations, struggle to find words or become exhausted by activities that previously required little effort.
Those changes can have a profound effect on employment, relationships and everyday independence even when the injured person appears physically healthy.
What Problems Can a Traumatic Brain Injury Cause?
Every brain injury is different. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, symptoms can include:
- Persistent headaches
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Confusion or slowed thinking
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Changes in vision
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
- Difficulty finding or processing words
- Anxiety, depression or emotional changes
- Irritability or personality changes
- Problems planning or completing complex tasks
Some symptoms improve with treatment and time. Others can persist for months, years or permanently.
Why Can Brain Injury Claims Be Difficult?
Traumatic brain injury claims can become contentious because many of the most significant symptoms are difficult to see.
An insurance company may question why someone who looks physically healthy cannot return to the same job, maintain the same schedule or function at the same level they did before the accident.
There can also be disputes about whether symptoms were caused by the accident, particularly when problems become more apparent in the days or weeks afterward.
That makes medical documentation, diagnostic testing, observations from people who know the injured person and a careful comparison of the person’s abilities before and after the accident particularly important.
What If My CT Scan or MRI Was Normal?
Brain injuries do not always produce an obvious abnormality on conventional imaging.
CT scans and MRIs can be extremely important diagnostic tools, particularly when doctors are looking for bleeding, swelling or structural damage. But the absence of a visible abnormality does not automatically mean that a person has not suffered a concussion or another traumatic brain injury.
The diagnosis and treatment of a TBI may involve consideration of symptoms, neurological examinations, cognitive testing, medical history and other clinical evidence.
Returning to Work After a Brain Injury
Returning to work can be one of the biggest challenges following a TBI.
A person may be physically capable of sitting at a desk or walking into a workplace but still struggle with concentration, memory, decision-making, multitasking, fatigue or communication.
Those limitations can be especially significant for professionals, business owners, skilled workers and others whose jobs depend heavily on judgment, organization or complex cognitive tasks.
If a brain injury prevents someone from returning to the same occupation or reduces their ability to earn what they earned before the accident, diminished future earning capacity may become an important part of the injury claim.
The Cost of a Serious Brain Injury Goes Beyond Today’s Medical Bills
The financial consequences of a TBI can continue long after the initial hospitalization or emergency treatment.
Depending on the severity of the injury, a person may require neurological care, cognitive rehabilitation, physical or occupational therapy, psychological treatment, medication or assistance with everyday activities.
A serious brain injury claim may therefore need to consider:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost income
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Assistance with daily activities
- Pain and physical limitations
- Cognitive and emotional effects
- Loss of independence
- Changes in relationships and quality of life
Resolving a claim before the long-term prognosis is reasonably understood can make it difficult to account for losses that may continue for years.
Experience Understanding Serious Injury Claims
Before representing injured people, attorney Bryan VanMeveren represented insurance companies. That experience gives him insight into how insurers investigate injuries, evaluate claims and challenge damages.
He is also trained in outdoor emergency care and has experience working with physicians and other medical professionals in serious injury cases.
When a case involves an injury as complicated as a TBI, understanding both the medical evidence and the way an insurance company is likely to evaluate that evidence can be particularly important.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traumatic Brain Injuries
Is a concussion a traumatic brain injury?
Yes. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. While many people recover, symptoms can sometimes persist and significantly interfere with work and everyday activities.
Can a car accident cause a brain injury without my head hitting anything?
Yes. Rapid acceleration, deceleration or rotational forces during a collision can cause the brain to move inside the skull even without a direct impact to the head.
Can brain injury symptoms appear days after an accident?
Some symptoms may not be obvious immediately. Problems involving headaches, concentration, memory, sleep, balance or mood can become more noticeable after the initial accident.
What if my MRI or CT scan is normal?
A normal conventional imaging study does not necessarily rule out every traumatic brain injury. Diagnosis can also depend on symptoms, examinations, medical history and other clinical evidence.
Why does my family say I seem different after the accident?
Changes in mood, personality, memory and behavior can occur following a brain injury. People who knew you well before the accident may notice differences that are difficult for you to recognize yourself.
What if I returned to work but can’t perform at the same level?
Returning to work does not necessarily mean that an injury has fully resolved. Cognitive fatigue, memory problems, difficulty concentrating and other limitations can affect productivity and potentially a person’s long-term earning capacity.
How much is a traumatic brain injury claim worth?
There is no standard value. The severity and permanence of the injury, medical expenses, future treatment, lost income, diminished earning capacity, available insurance coverage and the effect of the injury on the person’s life can all influence the value of a claim.
When should I talk to an attorney about a suspected brain injury?
If another person’s negligence caused an accident and you are experiencing neurological or cognitive symptoms, it is critical that you speak with an experienced attorney before resolving an insurance claim. Brain injuries can have consequences that are not fully understood immediately after an accident.
Talk With a Fort Collins Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
A brain injury can change how you work, think, communicate and live even when other people cannot see the injury.
VanMeveren Law Group represents people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and other serious injuries throughout Fort Collins and Northern Colorado.
Call 970-792-2103 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.