Driving After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Driving After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Despite the amount of research done in the field of neurologic damage, traumatic brain injuries still impact countless families every year. Like other injuries, neurologic damage can range in severity from mild to severe. Unfortunately, some individuals who sustain brain injuries will never fully recover. Some of the complications that individuals could face following a traumatic brain injury include:

• Dealing with chronic, recurrent headaches that could make it hard to sleep at night or focus during the day.
• Permanent loss of certain motor functions that could make some daily activities a challenge.
• Numbness and tingling in some regions of the body.
• Chronic pain that could impact multiple parts of someone’s life.
• Emotional lability that could strain relationships with family members and friends.
• Memory difficulties that could include forming new memories or remembering old ones.

These complications could impact someone’s independence during the recovery process.

Motor Function Difficulties and Driving

Following a traumatic brain injury, individuals might have permanent motor deficits. Depending on the location of the injury within the brain, people might notice specific symptoms such as:

• Weakness in one or more limbs.
• Numbness in one or more areas of the body.
• Shooting pains in the arms or legs.
• A decrease in the range of motion of certain parts of the body.

Furthermore, individuals may also notice that their reaction times are a bit slower than before. These motor deficits might make it difficult to drive safely because:

• Drivers might not be able to quickly react to changing road conditions.
• If people notice weakness in their arms, hands, or legs, they might not be able to turn the steering wheel or quickly switch between the gas and brake pedals.
• If the range of motion of the neck is decreased, people might not be able to quickly assess the road conditions or look both ways before pulling out into an intersection.

Judgment and Inhibition: Driving After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Certain individuals might have their judgment and inhibition impacted after a TBI. The frontal lobe of the brain processes information and helps people make decisions. With damage to the frontal lobe, individuals might not be able to make safe decisions behind the wheel of a car. Some signs of frontal lobe damage include:

• Changes in behavior and personality, such as aggression
• Rapid emotional swings
• An overall reduction in intelligence

Frontal lobe damage could be diagnosed using an imaging scan, such as an MRI. If someone has reduced executive functioning, judgment, and inhibition, they might not be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. If those with frontal lobe damage after a TBI operate a car, they place not only themselves but also others at risk.

Seizure Disorders can Impact Driving Ability After a TBI

One of the most major complications of a TBI is the development of seizures. During a seizure, the neurons of the brain fire uncontrollably. This causes people to lose control of their body. Some of the symptoms of a seizure include:

• Losing control of bowel and bladder function
• Biting the tongue
• A total loss of awareness, not remembering the event afterward
• Staring off into space
• Rapid movements of the arms and legs
• Feeling sore, confused, and irritable after the event

Fortunately, multiple medications can be used to control seizures. People suffering from seizures after a TBI should see their doctor so that they can decide if and when they can drive a car.

Watch YouTube Video: TBI: Driving after Brain Injury. This video provides an in-depth look at how a traumatic brain injury can affect your driving skills.

Contacting a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

Once an individual has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, the recovery process can start. Part of this recovery process could involve getting back behind the wheel of a car. Some individuals may never be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. This can place the entire family under a significant amount of stress. For assistance during this challenging time, it is crucial to meet with an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney in San Francisco. Some of the resources that could be provided by a compassionate attorney include:

• Serving as an objective professional who can look at all of the options available and help families make appropriate decisions.
• Helping families file for damages related to brain injury, the accident, and any resulting complications.
• Moving a case to trial when necessary.

Lastly, families should remember that help from an experienced attorney is always available. Reach out to a San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney today. Your family could be owed a sizeable financial award.

San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys