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Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries in Car Crashes: What Every Driver Needs to Know
What You Need to Know:
- TBIs are a significant risk in auto accidents and can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, making it essential to understand how they can happen and recognize the symptoms early.
- TBIs can have lasting effects on a person's physical, cognitive, financial, and emotional well-being.
- Seeking experienced legal help is crucial to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve, as personal injury cases involving TBIs can be complex and require expert handling.
Did you know that nearly 30% of all injury-related deaths in the United States involve traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many of these serious injuries are caused by car accidents.
Traumatic brain injuries are a major concern for anyone involved in an auto accident, especially when someone else is at fault. These injuries can have long-lasting effects on your health and daily life, which is why it’s so important to understand them.
In this blog, we will explain what traumatic brain injuries are, how they can happen during a car accident, and what you can do if you or a loved one has suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence. We’ll also share how Snellings Law can help you get the support and compensation you deserve.
Inside the Impact: What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when a sudden impact or jolt to the head causes damage to the brain. TBIs can range from mild (like a concussion) to severe (like a brain bleed or a fracture in the skull). Here are some common types of TBIs:
- Concussion: This is the most common type of TBI. Concussions usually happen after a blow to the head or a sudden jolt that makes the brain move inside the skull.
- Contusion: A bruise on the brain, usually caused by a direct blow to the head.
- Coup-Contrecoup Injury: An injury on the brain both at the site of impact (coup) and on the opposite side of the brain (contrecoup).
- Diffuse Axonal Injury: This type of injury involves widespread damage to the brain’s white matter. It often results from severe shaking or a strong rotational force.
- Penetrating Brain Injury: Occurs when an object (e.g., bullet, sharp object) penetrates the skull and brain tissue.
Symptoms of a TBI can vary widely. They may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, and mood changes. Some symptoms appear immediately after the injury, while others might not show up for days or even weeks. That’s why it’s important to get checked out immediately after a crash and monitor for symptoms in the following days, weeks, and months.
The Hidden Dangers of Car Crashes: How Auto Accidents Cause Brain Injuries
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of TBIs. Here’s how TBIs can occur during an auto accident:
- Impact Injuries: When a person’s head hits the steering wheel, dashboard, or window during a collision, it can cause a TBI. Even if there is no visible wound, the brain may still be injured inside the skull.
- Whiplash Injuries: A sudden back-and-forth motion of the head, commonly known as whiplash, can cause the brain to move around and hit the sides of the skull, leading to a TBI.
- Rotational or Angular Forces: The forces from a collision can cause rotational or twisting movements of the brain inside the skull. This can tear brain tissue and axons (nerve fibers), leading to diffuse axonal injury (DAI).
- Airbag Deployment: While airbags are designed to reduce injury, their rapid deployment can sometimes cause head and neck injuries.
- Vehicle Rollovers: In rollover accidents, the vehicle flips multiple times, causing violent motion and potential head impacts. The occupants may be thrown around inside the vehicle, and their heads could strike hard surfaces, or they could be ejected from the vehicle (if not properly restrained).
- Ejection from the Vehicle: If a person is ejected from the vehicle during a crash (due to not wearing a seatbelt or in a severe accident), the head may hit the ground, pavement, or other objects, leading to traumatic brain injury.
- Intra-Car Collisions (Passenger-to-Passenger): In some cases, the force of the crash causes the passengers to collide with each other, resulting in direct head injuries.
- Vehicle Intrusion (Structural Deformation): In severe crashes, the vehicle’s structure may deform or collapse, intruding into the passenger compartment and causing direct head injury.
- Sudden Deceleration (G-Forces): In any high-speed collision, the rapid deceleration of the vehicle causes extreme forces on the brain. Even if the head does not hit anything, the sudden stopping can cause the brain to move inside the skull, leading to concussions or more severe injuries like diffuse axonal injury (DAI).
Certain types of accidents, like rear-end collisions, side impacts, and rollovers, are more likely to result in TBIs. This is because of the intense forces involved and the ways in which the body moves during these crashes.
How Traumatic Brain Injuries Change Lives: Understanding the Long-Term Effects
A traumatic brain injury can have a huge impact on a person’s life. Here are some of the effects that TBI victims may experience:
- Physical and Cognitive Effects: TBIs can cause problems with memory, concentration, and coordination. Some people may experience chronic headaches or dizziness. In severe cases, a TBI can lead to permanent disability.
- Emotional and Psychological Effects: Many TBI victims struggle with anxiety, depression, mood swings, or personality changes. These emotional challenges can be just as difficult as the physical symptoms.
- Financial and Lifestyle Impact: Treating a TBI can be very expensive. Medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages can add up quickly. Many victims also need long-term care, which can put a strain on families both emotionally and financially.
Seeking Justice After a Car Accident TBI: Your Legal Options Explained
If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation. Here’s what you need to know:
- Understanding Liability: In personal injury cases, liability indicates who is legally responsible for the accident. If it’s clear that the other driver was at fault, this is called “undisputed liability.” Proving negligence is key to winning compensation in TBI cases.
- Compensation for TBI Victims: Victims of TBIs may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even future care needs. This can help cover the costs of treatment and make life a little easier during recovery.
- Importance of Legal Representation: Handling a TBI case can be complex, especially when dealing with insurance companies that might try to minimize your compensation. Having an experienced personal injury attorney can make a big difference in ensuring that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
To learn more about the damages you can recover after an auto accident, watch our video series below:
How Snellings Law Can Help After a TBI
Traumatic brain injuries are serious and can have long-lasting effects on your health and quality of life. If you or a loved one has experienced a TBI due to an auto accident caused by another driver’s negligence, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention and legal help. Snellings Law is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you get the care and compensation you need.
At Snellings Law, we have extensive experience handling traumatic brain injury cases. We know how challenging this time can be for you and your family, and we are here to help. Our team is committed to providing compassionate, personalized support to help you navigate the legal process and get the compensation you need for recovery.
If you have concerns about a TBI or need help navigating your legal options, contact Snellings Law today at (214) 387-0387 for a free consultation. We can discuss your case and explore your legal options. You don’t have to face this alone — let us help you get the justice and support you deserve.
Helpful Links:
- For more information about traumatic brain injuries, visit the CDC’s TBI Data and Statistics page.
- Learn more about different types of TBIs and their symptoms at the Mayo Clinic TBI page.
- Find out how the Brain Injury Association of America supports TBI victims and their families.
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