Brain Injuries: TBI After a Car Accident
Every year, thousands of people suffer from traumatic brain injuries as a result of an automobile accident. The brain is one of the largest and most complex organs in your body and contains several regions that are sensitive and susceptible to injury. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t take a catastrophic accident to cause a brain injury. A sudden jolt or blow to the head in an automobile accident can very well lead to a traumatic brain injury. Such injuries can have lasting effects on an individual’s physical and mental abilities.
Car Accident Injury Statistics
Did you know that there are approximately 2.87 million emergency room visits a year related to different types of brain injury that were sustained in an automobile accident? According to the Center for Disease Control, about 50,000 people die from car accident-related traumatic brain injuries, while 90,000 people experience long-term disability.
No doubt, these car accident injury statistics are mind-boggling. These types of brain injuries are often referred to as TBI or traumatic brain injuries. A TBI occurs when there is a sudden and violent strike to the head, or an object directly pierces the skull and touches the soft tissue of the brain.
Types of Brain Injuries Caused By Car Accidents
There are so many different types of trauma-inducing brain injuries. Here are some of the most common types of brain injuries caused by car accidents that you should be aware of:
Concussion
A concussion is one of the mildest traumatic brain injuries that are caused by a jolt or blow to the head or body. Sudden movements or a blow that causes the skull to twist can cause the brain to shift and change the chemistry in the brain.
Although most concussion cases are mild, in some cases they can be very serious. Symptoms of a concussion include headache, nausea, confusion, and dizziness just to name a few.
Contusion
A contusion involves bruising the brain that occurs from an outside impact. This localized injury can vary in severity depending on the case and is caused by a blow from a sharp object.
Oftentimes, patients who are taken to the emergency room after an automobile accident who is suffering from a brain contusion have to undergo surgery or another major medical procedure to reduce swelling.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
Car accidents are commonly the cause of a diffuse axonal injury. Diffuse axonal injuries occur when the fiber of nerves (axons) tear, which is caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration of the brain. Patients suffering from this type of brain injury may lose consciousness for a brief period or they may fall into a coma.
Open Head Injury
When projectiles penetrate the skull and brain, this causes an open head injury. This type of injury can be characterized by a cracked or fractured skull. Open head injuries are treated with surgeries that aim to reduce swelling and relieve the pressure.
Acquired Brain Injury
Acquired brain injuries can be very dangerous because they occur from within the body. Two main types of acquired brain injuries include hypoxic and anoxic injuries in which the brain fails to receive enough oxygen or blood. Serious trauma to the brain may not be obvious externally but can staunch blood flow or decrease oxygen to the brain, causing permanent damage or even death.
Seek Medical Attention.
Of course, the first thing you should do after a car accident is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Complications from car accident-related brain injuries can occur immediately or a few days after a traumatic brain injury.
Severe TBI can cause physical, intellectual, and behavioral issues. Individuals with severe TBI injuries may even develop problems communicating.
What’s the Next Step?
After seeking medical attention, the next step should be to seek legal help. A personal injury attorney can help individuals who have suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence seek compensation for the damages they’ve incurred.
The experienced personal injury attorneys at Casas Law have decades of experience helping victims receive compensation from those who are legally liable, such as other drivers and businesses whose vehicles were involved. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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