The effects of a collision – whether automobile, motorcycle, or tractor-trailer- are often not detected immediately. One injury that is often misdiagnosed or even missed altogether because it does not always manifest itself on an MRI or CT is a closed head injury.
A closed head injury may lack the outward signs of physical trauma, yet the sudden shock of impact causes the brain to jostle within the skull, leading to biochemical disruptions that impair normal activity of the neurons. Many individuals experience residual effects that take days, even weeks to manifest themselves – ranging from dizziness, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, language impairment, confusion to blurred vision.
Due to the difficulty identifying and quantifying these cognitive and behavioral problems, a valuable tool used to help understand and treat these hidden injuries is the expertise of neuropsychologists. Neuropsychologists are able to diagnose cognitive deficits and localize abnormalities in the central nervous system through examination of a person’s language abilities, memory, motor skills, and behavior. These deficits bring to the forefront fundamental philosophical and legal questions about what defines us as “normal” and what allows us to effectively participate in the collective human experience. The difficulty in diagnosing a brain injury is mirrored by the inherent complexity of the brain itself.
Having an experienced attorney by your side ensures that you and your loved one will be best equipped to navigate these difficulties. We’re here to help.