Brain injuries are one of the most serious types of injures you can have. It is important to get them treated as soon as possible. Brain injuries are common in car accidents. Even if you do not notice any symptoms immediately after an accident, you should still be checked out by a doctor. Sometimes symptoms do not show up for days or weeks after the accident.
No matter what kind of accident you were in, you should need take a brain injury lightly. This type of injury is not easy to recover from and it can lead to permanent physical and mental damages. Many times, doctors conduct a series of tests to diagnose a brain injury.
Neurological Tests
People who suffer brain injuries have to undergo basic neurological tests to check the functionality of the brain. Depending on the severity of the injuries, some tests may just include monitoring motor skills. These tests are also used to assess a person’s ability for speech, hearing, balance, mental state, mood changes and hand-eye coordination.
After doctors finish conducting these tests, they will then compare the results with the standardized results. In these tests, doctors will search for weird smells or tastes, headaches, seizures, signs of amnesia and signs of reduced cognitive function.
Scanning for Brain Injuries
Those with brain injuries must also have a series of brain scans to look for clots and other damaged areas. If there is severe damage, surgery may be the most effective way to repair the issue.
CT scans are commonly used for brain injuries. They can identify hemorrhages, skull fractures, contusions, hematomas and swelling of the brain tissue.
MRI scans may also be conducted. They can identify issues that were missed in a CT scan. An MRI scan can pick up anything which was missed in the CT scan.
Getting a Second Opinion
If you were diagnosed with a brain injury, it is always a good idea to get a second opinion, especially if your doctor recommended surgery. Brain surgery comes with a lot of risks, so it should be used as a last resort. If you ask another doctor for his or her opinion, it will be easier to determine what the right option for you is. If you ever have any questions or concerns about your legal options, do not be afraid to speak to an attorney such as the personal injury lawyer Minneapolis MN locals trust.
Thanks to authors at Johnston Martineau LLP for their insight into Personal Injury Law.