Driving After a Brain Injury
I’m Ed Smith, a Turlock brain injury attorney. When an individual sustains a brain injury, there are multiple hurdles that individual needs to overcome in order to make a recovery as numerous chronic medical complications can result from neurological damage. One of the many issues that should be discussed as someone recovers from brain trauma is driving. What are the consequences of driving after such a serious injury and how can someone know if they’re ready?
The Recovery Process Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
There are many different ways that someone can sustain a traumatic brain injury. For some people, it is the act of slipping, falling, and smacking their head on the ground. In other situations, a brain injury could be sustained by playing sports, such as football, or by being involved in an accident in a car or on a bicycle. Regardless of how the injury is sustained, the recovery process can be long and arduous. The brain is a unique organ because it does not regenerate in the same way that other parts of the body do following trauma. First, the individual could require surgery to relieve some of the swelling that occurs in the skull following a brain injury. Then, medications could be needed to manage the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure. After all of this is said and done, rehabilitation could be required as the individual tries to regain some of the motor and sensory function that has been lost. All of this is a challenging and expensive journey for everyone involved.
Chronic Complications Can Develop
Even with all of this work, it is possible that someone could still develop chronic complications. If the brain damage has occurred somewhere in the occipital lobe, it is possible for someone to lose their vision. Those with damage to the frontal lobe that is permanent could have problems with their personality. They might also struggle with their executive functioning, such as the ability to make accurate judgments in difficult situations, problems balancing their checkbook, or their ability to cook or do laundry. Issues with the parietal lobe might make someone emotionally labile and unstable. While some people could regain functioning with significant rehabilitation, others could be left with these symptoms for the rest of their life. It all depends on the location and severity of the neurological damage.
Driving with a Brain Injury: Study Results
Recently, a study was completed that took a look at the driving ability of people following a brain injury. The study compared individuals who had sustained a brain injury to those who had not at various time periods. While the people who had not sustained a brain injury predictably drove better than those who had, there were numerous variables that all play a role in someone’s ability to drive following a brain injury. Some people were able to drive well while others were not able to drive at all. This is important because it highlights the point that someone who has a brain injury can regain various levels of motor and sensory function. The study recommends that future research be done to take a look at how the location of the brain injury impacts someone’s ability to drive. In the end, those with questions should sit down and speak with a trained legal adviser. These are complicated issues that could require help from someone with this type of expertise. This situation can feel overwhelming and nobody should feel like they are going through this alone.
Related Content by Edward A Smith Law Offices:
- I’ve Been Injured – What Should I Do?
- How Do I Know if I Have a Claim Worth Pursuing?
- Recovering Compensation in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Contact an Experienced Turlock Brain Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Turlock brain injury attorney. The recovery process following a serious brain injury is long and everyone in this situation should make sure that they are ready to drive before getting behind the wheel of a car. Any family with questions should contact our team for free, friendly advice. Our phone number is (209) 227-1931 and our toll-free line is (800) 404-5400.
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Image Source: The image at the top was found originally on Unsplash and has been shown at this site with permission
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