Drunk driving continues to cause some of the worst accidents in Kansas and Missouri, leaving innocent people with life-changing injuries. One of the most serious injuries in these accidents is a traumatic brain injury. Even if a head injury looks minor at first, it can create lasting complications that interfere with work, school, and daily activities.
Understanding how brain injuries occur and what legal options may be available can help victims protect their rights after a serious collision.
Why Drunk Driving Accidents Often Lead to Brain Injuries
Alcohol interferes with judgment, coordination, reaction time, and decision-making abilities. Drunk driving accidents are highly likely to cause traumatic brain injuries because most drunk drivers are more likely to fail to brake or swerve before impact, resulting in high-speed collisions.
In these accidents, a person’s head might hit the car interior, or their brain may move inside the skull and cause internal damage. High-speed, alcohol-related crashes that happen without warning often lead to severe traumatic brain injuries.
Signs You May Have a Brain Injury
You won’t always notice a brain injury right after the accident. Sometimes, symptoms show up hours or even days later. Here are some common signs to watch out for:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Trouble remembering things
- Blurry vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Changes in mood
- Trouble concentrating
- Sensitivity to light or sound
If you think you hit your head or feel “off,” see a doctor right away. Untreated brain injuries can get worse quite fast.
The Impact of TBIs
Traumatic brain injuries usually require extensive medical attention and rehabilitation. Those affected might require emergency services, surgical procedures, imaging tests, therapy, counseling, and continuous neurological care for months or even years. In more serious cases, there can be lasting cognitive issues or long-term disabilities.
The financial burden of these injuries can be quite significant as well. Medical bills, lost income, diminished earning potential, and future care costs can accumulate quickly, resulting in significant emotional and financial strain.
Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable
Kansas and Missouri laws allow victims to seek compensation from negligent drunk drivers. You can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for things like:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation costs
- Future care needs
Evidence is very important in TBI cases. Police reports, toxicology tests, witness accounts, accident scene photos, and security footage can all help prove who’s at fault. Sometimes, you can even get punitive damages if you can prove the driver acted with a reckless disregard for human safety.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Both Kansas and Missouri have strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims, known as statutes of limitations. If you wait too long to act, you might lose your right to seek compensation.
Additionally, if you wait to act, evidence can get lost or altered, and witnesses may become harder to track down or forget crucial details. Acting quickly not only helps you preserve your legal rights but also allows your attorney to collect the evidence they need to build a strong case.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you or someone you love suffered a TBI in a drunk driving accident, contact our experienced brain injury counsel at Griggs Injury Law for help pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost income, long-term care, and other damages, while protecting your rights throughout the legal process.
