What Are the Common Types of Brain Injuries From Car Accidents?
When the impact of a car accident causes a blow to your head, this can result in a brain injury. However, the type and severity of a brain injury will depend on a range of factors, including the nature of the car accident and how fast the car was traveling at the moment of impact. While brain injuries are classified as mild, moderate, or severe, even a minor brain injury can cause long-term impairments. The consequences of a severe brain injury can be devastating and can involve permanent physical, mental, and emotional impairments that will require extensive and ongoing medical care.
The impact of a car accident can cause a range of injuries, from minor cuts and scrapes to broken bones and internal bleeding. Brain injuries are among the most common types of injuries that are caused by car accidents. The following are examples of the most common types of brain injuries caused by car accidents:
- Concussions: While a concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), a concussion can cause serious health complications and chronic pain, particularly if it is not properly treated. Symptoms of concussion include headache, nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, and blurred vision.
- Brain contusions: A contusion is another word for a bruise. When the force of impact from a car accident causes your brain to hit the inside of your skull, this can cause a bruise on your brain. While contusions often heal on their own, they can lead to blood clots or bleeding in the brain. Symptoms are similar to those of a concussion, which is why it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention so that your injury is properly diagnosed and treated.
- Skull fractures: If the force of impact is extreme, it can cause a fracture to your skull. A skull fracture often accompanies other brain injuries like concussions and contusions. Common symptoms include bleeding from the ears or nose, bruising on the head, and swelling at the injury site.
- Coup-contrecoup: This is a serious brain injury involving contusions to the opposite sides of the brain. It occurs when the brain hits one side of the skull, causing a contusion at the area of impact before hitting the opposite side of the skull, where it causes a second contusion. This is a common injury in head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, and severe rear-end accidents.
- Brain penetration: This is a potentially fatal injury that occurs when an object breaks through the skull and enters the brain. Those who survive this devastating injury often suffer debilitating impairments.
- Diffuse axonal injury: This results from rotational force applied to the brain during a car accident or from sudden, violent forward or backward head movement. When the axons in the brain become torn during a collision, it can result in life-threatening brain damage.
- Acquired brain injury: Also known as a secondary brain injury, it can occur even if the accident did not cause any direct impact to your head. This type of injury is often the result of another potentially serious issue that is happening in your body. For example, if you are suffering from an injury that prevents oxygen from reaching your brain, the cells in your brain can die, resulting in reduced brain function.
What Are the Effects of a Brain Injury?
The long-term effects of a brain injury will depend on a range of factors, including the type and severity of the injury and how quickly your injury was diagnosed and treated. The following are examples of possible short-term and long-term effects of a brain injury:
- Coma
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Paralysis or weakness
- Poor balance
- Tremors
- Poor coordination
- Swallowing problems
- Changes in hearing, vision, smell, and touch
- Loss of sensation or heightened sensation of body parts
- Double vision, limited range of vision, or lack of visual acuity
- Aphasia
- Difficulty reading or writing
- Fatigue
- Changes in sleep patterns and eating habits
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Irritability
- Apathy
- Anxiety and depression
What Damages Am I Entitled to for a Brain Injury Caused by a Car Accident?
If you suffered a brain injury in a car accident, and the other motorist was at fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the other driver. The expenses associated with a serious brain injury can be substantial, particularly if you are no longer able to work and require ongoing medical care. A successful personal injury claim will ensure that you recover the following damages:
- All medical expenses associated with your brain injury, including hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and follow-up care.
- Lost wages if the brain injury prevents you from being able to return to work.
- Property damage.
- Pain and suffering you have had to endure due to the injury.
Our Vernon, Connecticut Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Jason L. McCoy, LLC Seek Maximum Compensation for Victims of Brain Injuries
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact our Vernon, Connecticut car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Jason L. McCoy, LLC. We understand how devastating an injury like this can be, particularly when it could have been avoided if the other driver had followed the rules of the road. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 860-872-7741 or contact us online. Located in Vernon, New Haven, and Waterbury, Connecticut, we serve clients in Tolland County, New Haven County, and Hartford County.