What Car Accident Victims Need To Know About Speech Problems?

The fact that most people are lucky enough to walk away with zero physical injuries after an accident does not mean that they are free from all problems that might manifest later on. It is one of the reasons why medical practitioners advise victims to seek medical attention even if they leave the scene unscathed.

Car accidents and traumatic brain injury

Distracted driving is on the rise, and shockingly, more than 90 people die in car accidents every day in the United States. To put that into perspective, 3 million people in the U.S. are injured every year.

An issue that can manifest days or weeks after an accident is usually traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, TBI is caused by an external force that damages the brain tissues. It usually occurs when a person hits his or her head on a hard surface or gets bumped or jolted. Imagine what could happen when a hard or sharp object hits or pierces the skull, and the body is shaken or hit hard enough to cause the brain to slam into the cranium. Below are some of the leading causes of TBI:

• Car accidents
• Falls
• Collision with hard or sharp objects
• Physical assaults

People who suffer from traumatic brain injuries may have difficulty speaking, which depends on the kind of accident that occurred, and the part of the brain affected.

Symptoms of speech problems following a traumatic brain injury

The parts that control the production and comprehension of human speech are located in the middle of the brain. Once this area is damaged or knocked, the nervous system which controls our actions, whether voluntary or involuntary, is affected, causing slurred speech. Some of the symptoms that can lead to speech difficulties after a traumatic brain injury include:

• Having a problem with fluid speech
• Trouble recognizing some vocabulary and jargon
• Continually needing your words or phrases to be completed
• Always lost in thoughts
• Trouble remembering directions
• Rambling without end
• Inability to speak one’s primary language
• Troubles understating idioms, puns, and phrases

In most cases, after an accident, it takes several days or weeks even before victims can have problems speaking. It can start slowly and then get worse with each passing day. In some cases, it appears suddenly – no warning or symptoms. Whatever the case, it is crucial to seek medical help immediately when you notice a slight symptom.

Speech disorders can be treated with therapy, depending on its cause and severity. You may need to consult a speech-language pathologist to help you determine the right treatment plan. The specialist could recommend exercises that work on the muscles that are responsible for speech production. If the condition worsens as a result of anxiety, affected individuals would eventually need medication.

Speech problems can be very frustrating not just for the victim but also for the family members and friends. It can be difficult watching a loved one struggle to communicate with you after a severe car accident. Experiences like this might end up straining your relationship.

Aside from seeking medical help, it is also advisable to enlist a car accident injury lawyer’s services. If it was a serious accident and you are owed compensation, you may even want to consider using a car crash expert witness.

Why it’s essential you seek medical care immediately

Many times, victims of car accidents do not bother seeking medical care immediately. As long as they did not suffer any physical injuries, they believe they are fine. Days or weeks after the accident, symptoms might start appearing, forcing you to go back to the hospital for a follow-up. The symptoms might get so convoluted that people would wonder if they were as a result of the accident suffered. In this scenario, the role of an injury lawyer becomes paramount.

An experienced personal injury lawyer will give you the legal backing you need to make a credible claim and get your financial compensation that covers your medical expenses. The circumstances surrounding the accident will be reviewed to make sure no detail is left behind.

In cases where you are not sure of the extent of injuries sustained because symptoms appeared days or weeks later, a personal injury lawyer will help refer you to doctors who will ensure that you are thoroughly diagnosed. Once the diagnosis has been carried out, the lawyer will help you file the right insurance claims and, if possible, take the case to trial.

Do not take any car accident for granted, as you or your loved ones could get a considerable monetary settlement after all.