Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, can have life-changing consequences. They can temporarily or permanently affect victims’ physical and cognitive abilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the third leading causes of brain damage in the United States, accounting for 14 percent of all TBIs.
Traumatic brain injuries can range in severity. The symptoms and treatment depend on the type of TBI. Examples include:
- Contusion;
- Concussion;
- Coup-contrecoup;
- Penetration;
- And diffuse axonal.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a car wreck, contact the Crosson Law Group, LLC. Ken Crosson is a personal-injury attorney in Marietta who can evaluate your accident, gather evidence, structure your claim, and handle settlement negotiations.
Our office is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 678-909-0770 to schedule a free initial consultation. You can also visit http://accident.usattorneys.com/georgia/ to learn more about accident claims in Georgia.
Here is a brief overview of five common TBIs in car wrecks:
- Contusion
Contusions are bruises on the brain. They result from blunt force trauma.
In car wrecks, contusions occur when victims hit their heads on windows, dashboards, or steering wheels. Flying objects can also impact the head and cause a contusion. Most cases heal without long-term consequences, but severe contusions require surgery.
- Concussion
This is the most common brain injury in car accidents. According to the Brain Injury Alliance, concussions happen when a blunt force impacts the head. They can also result from a dramatic whip or shaking of the head.
Concussions are possible without visible evidence of a head injury. There may be an open wound, but these injuries occur internally when blood vessels stretch too far inside the brain, damaging cranial nerves. According to WebMD, symptoms of a concussion include:
- Disorientation;
- Inability to concentrate;
- Inability to remember new information;
- Vomiting or nausea;
- Dizziness;
- And balance issues.
- Coup-Contrecoup
A coup-contrecoup is a double contusion. The victim develops two bruises on the brain: one at the impact site and another directly opposite it. This injury happens when an impact is so powerful that it forces the brain to shift from one side of the skull to the other.
- Projectile Penetration
Violent behaviors, such as shootings and stabbings, are responsible for more penetration injuries than car accidents. However, glass shards, shorn metal, and loose items in a vehicle can cause penetration wounds in serious wrecks. These injuries require immediate surgery.
- Diffuse Axonal
Diffuse axonal injuries are serious TBIs. They cause damage to a widespread area of white matter in the brain. Victims often remain unconscious for several hours. Some never regain consciousness, and those who do often have severe cognitive impairment.
If you were injured in a car crash in Georgia, contact the Crosson Law Group, LLC. Ken Crosson is a Marietta accident lawyer who can evaluate your case and represent your interests. Call 678-909-0770 to schedule a free initial consultation.