When a motor vehicle crash occurs, the impact on a person’s brain can be catastrophic. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from a sudden jolt or forceful blow to the head or body that disrupts normal brain function. Knowing the common types of TBI can be crucial for grasping the true cost of a vehicle accident.
The severity of TBIs
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of TBI due to the extreme forces of sudden acceleration and deceleration. An individual may suffer one or more of these common TBIs following a collision:
- Concussion: This involves the brain shifting inside the skull. Symptoms like persistent headaches, dizziness and cognitive difficulties can be long-lasting.
- Contusion: This is a bruise on the brain tissue, often caused by direct impact with the skull. The bruising causes localized bleeding and swelling, which can put pressure on the surrounding brain matter.
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI): This occurs when the brain violently twists or shakes, causing widespread tearing of the nerve fibers (axons) across the brain. DAI can lead to loss of consciousness as well as severe, permanent disability.
- Subdural hematoma: This involves bleeding that pools between the brain and its outer protective layer. Since blood collects slowly, symptoms might appear hours or days later, making it a dangerous injury requiring immediate medical diagnosis.
- Epidural hematoma: This involves bleeding between the skull and the outermost protective layer of the brain. Often associated with a skull fracture, this condition requires emergency surgery because the bleeding is typically fast.
Further, the full extent of a TBI may not be apparent right away after a collision. Prompt medical assessment is critical, even for seemingly minor symptoms, because complications from TBI can rapidly become life-threatening.
Seeking full and fair compensation
TBIs due to motor vehicle accidents can change the lives of victims and their families, demanding extensive medical and rehabilitation expenses. In addition, handling the complexities of personal injury law can be overwhelming for them during a trying time. By seeking legal guidance, they may better protect their rights as they seek full and fair compensation for their TBIs.