Did you know motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (“TBIs”)? Following an accident, you may feel nauseous, dizzy, or experience an immediate headache. While you might chalk these symptoms up to shock, they may also all be signs you’ve experienced a TBI, for which you should immediately access medical treatment.

Symptoms of a TBI can range from mild to severe, but any level of TBI can have a significant impact on your activities of daily living. TBIs can also deeply impact your relationships and ability to work. For example, one common symptom of a TBI is issues with memory and concentration, which can cause difficulty if your work requires attention to detail or focus.

TBIs are also dangerous in that symptoms may not appear until weeks or months following an accident. Further, because there are few objective tests to determine if you’ve suffered a TBI, they are often missed by treating physicians. For this reason, it is important that following a motor-vehicle accident if you are experiencing any symptoms, you attend the hospital immediately. At the hospital, doctors can run diagnostic tests such as a CT scan or MRI to rule out any visible injuries.

If you are diagnosed with a TBI, it is important to follow your treating physician’s advice. Often, you will be told to rest and limit exposure to screens (that means limited TV and phone use!). You may also want to follow up with a Physiotherapist to begin vestibular treatment if you feel you are experiencing balance or vision disturbances. Unfortunately, TBIs can continue to cause symptoms and have a profound impact on your life, so the sooner you begin treatment the better.

As you can read in this article, Ontario has a no-fault accident benefit scheme, which provides you access to necessary treatment funding. While your insurance adjuster may try and categorize your TBI as a Minor Injury, there is case law to support that TBIs are not minor injuries, and you should therefore have access to at least $65,000 for necessary treatment.

A TBI can have a significant impact on your life and can cause physical and cognitive symptoms. You may find you have difficulty maintaining your household, taking care of your children, or performing to the same level at work as you were prior to the accident. Take this type of injury seriously and consider getting treatment immediately.

Our lawyers are here to answer any questions you may have about any injuries you may be experiencing, and what to do following an accident. Do not hesitate to reach out, your wellbeing is our top priority.