Summary
- Traumatic brain injuries can result from blunt-force trauma caused by a personal injury accident
- Concussions are a mild TBI caused by a sudden blow to the head
- Diffuse axonal injuries affect the white matter in the brain that sends electrical signals to the rest of the body
- Hematomas result in bleeding inside and outside of the brain
- Coup-contrecoup brain injuries can damage the area below the head trauma sight and on the opposite side of the brain
One of the severe injuries that can result from personal injury accidents is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is when blunt-force trauma damages the brain. Personal injury accidents like car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and slip-and-fall accidents can cause TBIs. It can lead to intense headaches, memory loss, blurry vision, and problems concentrating.
Some TBIs that can result from a personal injury accident include concussions, contusions, diffuse axonal injuries, hematomas, and coup-contrecoup brain injuries. Each has its own set of symptoms and health challenges. A personal injury lawyer can help you hold an at-fault party liable for causing a TBI and recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
What Can Cause a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Personal injury accidents are dangerous incidents where one party’s negligence exposes someone else to physical and emotional harm. They can result in severe physical trauma that can cause serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and back and neck injuries.
One common injury that can result from personal injury accident impact is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This occurs when blunt-force trauma from a personal injury accident can damage the brain, leading to skull injuries, brain bleeding, and other issue that can affect how a person’s brain operates.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there were 214,110 hospitalizations for TBIs in 2020 and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021. This means that over those two years, every day saw 586 people go to the hospital for TBIs and 190 people suffer wrongful deaths from the impact of a TBI.
Concussions Caused by Personal Injury Accidents
One of the most common TBIs caused by personal injury accidents is concussions. This is a mild TBI that can cause significant physical symptoms for just a couple of days or several months. It results from blunt-force trauma during a personal injury accident, as a sudden jolt or blow to the head can cause damage resulting in this TBI.
Concussions can cause someone to lose consciousness in the aftermath of a personal injury accident. Those who suffer this mild TBI must stay wary of experiencing further head trauma, as a second concussion close after the initial injury can cause life-threatening health consequences.
Personal Injury Accidents Can Cause a Diffuse Axonal Injury
Personal injury victims can also suffer a diffuse axonal injury that affects the white matter in the brain. White matter is the bundles of nerve cells that send electrical signals to the body and connect separate parts of the brain. A sudden stop, blow to the head, or twisting impact can cause this type of injury, as it can result in the tearing of white matter.
A common cause of a diffuse axonal injury is whiplash from a car accident. This is the violent shaking of the head and neck that can result from a rear-end accident. It can cause the twisting and stretching of the white matter in the brain, which can cause a diffuse axonal injury.
This type of TBI can affect brain functioning, making it more difficult for the brain to send signals to the rest of the body. It can also lead to the release of chemicals that can cause further damage to the brain.
Hematomas That Result from Blunt-Force Trauma
Personal injury accidents can cause an impact to the brain that leads to a blood vessel rupture, leading to a hematoma. This type of TBI is when there is bleeding in and around the brain, which can cause a tremendous amount of head pressure. The surrounding tissue can also receive damage. Some symptoms include memory loss, slurred speech, and nausea.
Personal Injury Accident Impact Can Cause a Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury
Coup-contrecoup brain injuries are a collection of types of brain injuries that differ based on where someone’s brain receives damage. A coup brain injury is when the impact of an accident damages the site just below the impact site. This type of injury only affects one side of the skull and brain.
A contrecoup brain injury occurs when the impact of an accident causes the brain to shake and collide with the opposite side of where someone received blunt-force trauma. A coup-contrecoup injury combines the impact of both injuries to result in two locations where the brain sustains severe damage.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your TBI Claim
The Russo Firm’s experienced personal injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation for damages like medical bills, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life. We understand how the impact of a personal injury accident can cause a TBI and irreparably affect your physical health and quality of life.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys can communicate with you to develop a legal counsel plan that can cater to the specifics of your accident and help you recover specific damages. Contact us for a free TBI case evaluation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions About TBIs
What Personal Injury Accidents Can Cause a TBI?
As mentioned above, TBIs can result from blunt-force trauma caused by a personal injury accident. The negligence of another party can cause physical trauma to the head that can damage the brain and cause significant injuries.
The following are the personal injury accidents that can cause a traumatic brain injury:
- Car accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Truck accident
- Pedestrian accident
- Bicycle accident
- Bus accident
- Slip and fall accident
- Boat accident
How Long Does It Take to Recover from a TBI?
The recovery time for a TBI depends on what type you suffered and the severity of your injuries. Mild TBIs, like concussions, may only take a couple of days or weeks to heal. However, more severe injuries could linger for months and could require significant medical treatment.
You should immediately visit a hospital after an accident to have a doctor perform diagnostic tests. They can determine if you suffered a TBI, what TBI you suffered, and what medical treatment can help with your injury. They can also provide a timeline for your recovery to let you know how long you may have to deal with symptoms.
Should You Hire a Lawyer After Suffering a TBI?
Victims of personal injury accidents who suffer TBIs should hire personal injury lawyers. They can help with the process of holding the at-fault party accountable for their negligence. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help calculate damages, determine the liable party, collect evidence, explain laws affecting your case, and negotiate an insurance settlement.
