Until you have suffered a traumatic brain injury in an auto accident, you cannot know what it is like to undergo treatment and wonder if your symptoms will ever fade. Still, the story of a Texas teenager’s remarkable recovery from life-threatening brain trauma and other injuries might provide an idea.
The teen was on Beltway 8 in Houston, riding in a vehicle with her family when the car began hydroplaning. As the driver struggled to regain control, a charter bus behind them failed to brake in time and rear-ended them. The bus was reportedly traveling 75 mph on impact.
Weeks in the hospital
The young woman suffered massive head trauma, broken bones in her face and damage to her internal organs in the wreck. She was airlifted to the hospital, where she stayed in acute care, in minimal consciousness and needing intubation at first, and later suffering from agitation and confusion. She experienced poor coordination and balance and had trouble with impulsiveness and a lack of safety awareness.
Fortunately, doctors determined that the girl did not need surgery. She spent just over two weeks in the hospital, during which she underwent grueling rehabilitation to learn to walk, bathe and dress herself, feed herself, speak and think more clearly. By the time she was discharged, her physical symptoms had largely faded, though she still suffered some cognitive deficits. She returned to high school just over two months after the crash and plans to attend college next year.
When a brain injury is preventable
This person’s story is inspiring, but not every TBI victim can bounce back so quickly. In fact, many brain injuries never fully heal. The worst part is when someone is killed or permanently disabled in a collision that could have been prevented. Negligent drivers are responsible for their victims’ damages under Texas law.