The Dangers of Pediatric Brain Trauma for Teens in Car Accidents

It is no secret that our teenagers are prone to bumping and hitting their heads. Whether they take a tumble down the stairs, wreck their bicycles, slip in the shower, or fall off their skateboard when trying to land a new trick, minor bumps to the head are bound to happen during adolescence. If you take your child to the doctor after a car accident and learn that they have pediatric brain trauma, you are facing a serious injury.

Head trauma is the term used to describe damage to the brain or skull, which is most often caused by an injury. Trauma to the head can lead to a pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Unfortunately, TBIs are one of the most common injuries that lead to disabilities, impairments, and death among children. These types of injuries often arise during adolescent years from bicycle, motorcycle, and car accidents as well as sports-related accidents. That said, it is crucial that coaches, trainers, and referees undergo the proper training to know what to do if a player ever shows symptoms of a concussion or other TBI.

What are the symptoms of pediatric brain trauma?

There are many different symptoms that a person may experience when suffering from a pediatric TBI, which include:

• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Dilated pupils
• Fluids running out of the nose or ears
• Sleep issues
• Fatigue
• Weakness or numbness
• Mood swings
• Feeling confused
• Inability to focus or concentrate
• Speech issues
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Memory problems
• Feeling dizzy

If you suspect that your child or teenager may have a TBI, it is highly recommended that you seek medical attention immediately. Around 80 percent of fatalities among children over the age of one are the result of head trauma from other types of accidents.

Can my teenager sustain a brain injury from a car accident?

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the top causes of TBIs among children and teenagers. A few common ways that your teenager may suffer a TBI during a car accident are:

• The impact of the other vehicle caused the child’s head and neck to rapidly move back and forth, leading to bruised tissues in the brain.
• The child’s head hit the dashboard, causing them to suffer direct trauma to the skull or brain.
• Objects or debris went through the vehicle, leading the child to experience a strong blow to the head.

Even if your child was wearing a seat belt or riding in the back seat during the car accident, a severe TBI can occur. However, the injuries may be more life-threatening if the child is not properly buckled up.

The long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries in teenagers and children

If your teenager has a TBI from a car accident, the long-term effects will depend on a variety of different factors, such as how severe the brain injury is, the area of the brain that is affected, and how old they are. Of course, the younger your child is, the more likely they are to suffer long-term effects from their injury. However, teenagers are at serious risk of long-term complications from TBIs as well. Here are a few long-term effects that your teenager may experience after their TBI diagnosis:

• They may suffer from headaches for several years to come.
• They may often feel tired and drowsy.
• They may have seizures and even develop post-traumatic epilepsy.
• They may have trouble walking, running, sitting, and reaching for objects.
• They may have memory, focus, concentration, communication, and other intellectual disabilities.
• They may appear to be aggressive, angry, impulsive, and sad for no reason.
• They may have a difficult time making friends and relating to their classmates.

Are there treatments for pediatric brain trauma in teenagers?

There are treatment options for pediatric brain trauma among children and teenagers. This usually consists of medications, speech therapy, cognitive therapy, counseling, and occupational therapy. The goal of the treatment is to help your teenager learn how to speak, express their feelings, and successfully function in their everyday life again. They will learn how to independently take care of themselves as well as complete their tasks at home, work, or school.

While your child may need treatment to learn how to overcome and cope with their symptoms, it can last for many years and become very expensive. This can cause you to stress and become frustrated, wondering how you can afford the treatment that your child needs and deserves. Our Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Plattner Verderame, PC will help you hold the responsible party accountable for their negligent actions as well as fight for your right to compensation to cover your child’s medical bills and treatments.

At Plattner Verderame, PC, we help parents with injured children obtain compensation to cover their expenses, and we are glad to help you obtain this compensation as well. Therefore, if your child was injured by a negligent driver and you are ready to hold them liable for their careless and reckless behavior, call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney at our offices in Phoenix or Tempe, AZ today. We will listen to your story, determine the type of long-term care your child may need, and help you build a strong case against the defendant.