Injury to Chicago Officer Shows Danger of Traumatic Brain Injuries

 Posted on July 24, 2018 in Brain Injuries

This July, an on-duty Chicago police officer suffered a severe head injury in a crash in the Logan Square area. The accident occurred when the officer’s Chevrolet Malibu collided with a Pontiac sedan while driving through the intersection of Kenzie Avenue and West Diversey Avenue. Fortunately, The injuries suffered were non-fatal, but the accident served as a reminder of the dangers of head injuries. 

Every year, more than two million Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries that require hospitalization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), automobile collisions are the third leading cause of traumatic brain injuries nationwide. Tragically, the CDC estimates that an average of 153 people suffer fatal traumatic head injuries on a daily basis throughout the United States. If you or a loved one suffer a traumatic brain injury, it is incredibly important to receive the legal guidance your family deserves. 

Long-Term Implications of Traumatic Brain Injuries 

While the overt symptoms of brain injuries may not be obvious for days, weeks, or even months after the initial injury, these traumatic injuries can come with life-long ramifications. Below are some of the potential long-term impacts of a traumatic brain injury:

• Cognitive Changes: Many traumatic brain injuries can have a long-term negative effect on a person’s cognitive ability. Post-injury symptoms can include an inability to maintain concentration, slowed speaking and thinking skills, and an inability to adjust to altered routines. 
• Major Changes in Demeanor: In a large percentage of brain injuries, the area of the brain that informs our emotional and social decisions can be altered. Post-injury, victims can become uncharacteristically aggressive, lack motivation, or experience volatile mood swings. 
• Sensory Issues: People who suffer traumatic head injuries can undergo monumental changes in their sensory abilities. Victims can face issues that can include loss of vision, lack of depth perception, and reduced peripheral senses. In severe cases, sensory issues can also include loss of smell, impacted hearing, and alterations in balance. 

Contact a Lake County Brain Injury Attorney 

At Salvi & Maher, L.L.C., our dedicated attorneys know just how painful a traumatic brain injury can be for the whole family. According to the CDC, throughout 2013 alone, traumatic brain injuries contributed to the deaths of roughly 50,000 Americans. If your family is one of the many families throughout the United States that are unfortunately impacted by a traumatic brain injury, contacting a knowledgeable Waukegan personal injury attorney is the first step in ensuring that you are able to recover the compensation you deserve for the damages you have suffered. For additional information, set up a free consultation by calling our office at 847-662-3303. 

Sources:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-kedzie-diversey-crash-cpd-20180721-story.html

https://www.brainline.org/article/what-impact-will-moderate-or-severe-tbi-have-persons-life

https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html