A traumatic brain injury can range from a minor concussion, where the accident victim regains full use of their body and mental capacities, to a serious one that can lead to permanent disability or death. The following summaries and links to the Mayo Clinic will help you learn more about the causes, treatments and prevention of traumatic brain injuries.

• What TBI is- Traumatic brain injuries occur when the brain, usually cushioned by fluid and protected by the skull, slides forcefully against the inner wall of the skull. Even the sudden stop of a car or a slip and fall can slam your brain against your skull. The result can be bleeding in or around the brain and the tearing of nerve fibers.
• Causes- Some of the more common causes of TBI include: car, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, violence or abuse, falls and explosive blasts.
• Complications- Just like the cause of the brain injury, the complications caused by injury can vary. Some common complications include:
• o Seizures- Some TBI patients will experience at least one seizure during the first week of their recovery.
• o Infections- Skull fractures and penetrating head wounds can let bacteria into the brain. The danger in this lies in the fact that the bacterial infection can cause meningitis, affecting the entire nervous system.
• o Nerve damage- When the nerves at the base of the neck are damaged the victim may have a paralysis of facial muscles, double vision and damage to the sense of smell.
• o Cognitive disabilities- Nearly all of those with major brain injuries will have a hard time with some cognitive functions. These issues may include problems thinking, reasoning, problem solving, memory, judgment, attention and multitasking.
• o Language difficulties- Some people who have had a TBI will have a hard time with written, spoken or nonverbal signals.
• o Personality changes- A brain injury can interfere with impulse control. In addition, the sufferer may be more irritable, anxious or depressed.
• o Sensory problems- These issues can include a ringing in the ears, difficulty recognizing objects, impaired hand-eye coordination, blind spots and a bitter taste or bad smell.
• o Post-concussion syndrome- This can cause periods of headaches and dizziness that can last for weeks or months.
• o Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease- A TBI seems to increase the risk of eventually developing either of these diseases.
• o Coma- This serious and often fatal condition may occur after a serious brain injury. The patient may begin to gradually awaken after a few days or weeks.
• Treatments- Medical intervention is required for any traumatic brain injury. Though the treatment varies with the severity of the injury, some common treatments include: medications, therapy and surgery.
• Prevention- Some fairly simple steps can help prevent or lessen the severity of a traumatic brain injury. These steps include: wearing a seat belt and ensuring that your child is in the proper child safety seat, never driving while drinking, properly storing firearms, wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle, motorcycle, skateboard, snowmobile or ATV and avoiding falls by installing nonslip mats in the bathtub and grab bars in the bathroom.

At Hupy & Abraham we understand that a head injury can seriously impact your life. Taking care of a loved one with a brain injury can be difficult and expensive. Before you accept an offer from the insurance company please contact our experienced Milwaukee motorcycle accident attorneys for your free consultation. We want to ease your burden and help you cover your losses after a serious accident has altered your life.