Woman holding bandaged head from long-term TBI sitting in doctor's office.

What Are The Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) could change your life forever. They’re also a lot more common than we think, with 18.7% of TBI-related deaths happening due to car accidents each year. While most victims could recover in a few days, others may deal with devastating lifelong effects they may never recover from.

Regardless of the severity, a TBI may impact the outcome of your case. Learn more about how they could influence your settlement and what our lawyers can do to help.

Long-Term Effects Of TBI On Victims

If the injury was particularly severe, you may suffer chronic conditions that could permanently alter their physical, mental, and emotional state. Here are a few common symptoms you might experience after suffering a TBI in a car accident:

Physical and Cognitive Complications

Many people living with traumatic brain injuries experience chronic physical and cognitive challenges long after the initial accident. These can include:

  • Chronic headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Seizures
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Coordination problems
  • Memory loss 
  • Slower thinking
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Difficulty making decisions

These symptoms limit your ability to work or perform tasks on your own. In a personal injury case, that loss of function becomes a key part of your case when determining your final settlement.

Emotional and Behavioral Changes

A traumatic brain injury can also cause:

  • Mood swings
  • Irritability
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Impulse control issues
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Personality changes

These changes may not be as visible as physical conditions, but the effects are still just as challenging for victims. Many of these symptoms make communication or social interactions difficult, which could lead to isolation if not managed appropriately.

Financial and Lifestyle Impact

Beyond health issues, a traumatic brain injury could lead to long-term care. This translates into ongoing medical bills, rehabilitation treatment costs, medication expenses, or permanent home care. On top of that, the physical or emotional conditions may make it difficult to maintain the same standard of living as you did before the accident.

How A TBI May Affect Your Personal Injury Case

The effects of a traumatic brain injury could significantly impact your case’s outcome, especially in more severe cases. Insurance companies and courts need to think about how these injuries affected your life and compensate you beyond short-term medical bills.

However, the amount you actually receive ultimately depends on your condition. If you can’t return to work, your lawyer could ask for:

  • Lost wages
  • Future earnings
  • Ongoing treatment costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment

While a TBI may increase your total settlement, proving every damage in court may be challenging. You might see some pushback from insurance companies who may only want to cover the obvious physical damages. For this reason, it’s essential to have an experienced lawyer who can prove how these changes have affected your life since the incident.

Get Compensation For Your TBI

Have you recently suffered from a traumatic brain injury? Our New York personal injury attorneys have decades of experience helping TBI victims seek justice. We’ll help you gather the right evidence and receive the compensation you’re rightfully deserve. Please contact us online or at (866) 574-0809 to schedule a free case review today.