Car accidents are among the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 14 percent of brain injuries in the United States result from motor-vehicle crashes. Brain injuries take many forms and vary in severity, and it is important to understand the symptoms of a TBI before you are injured in a serious crash.
If you are suffering from injuries you sustained in a car accident, contact the Churdar Law Firm. Greenville accident attorney Doug Churdar will evaluate your accident and determine if you may have valid grounds for a claim. With the right approach, you may be able to recover medical expenses and lost wages.
Call us today at 864-233-0203 to schedule an appointment, and read on to learn five different types of brain injuries you can sustain in a car crash:
1. Concussion
Concussions are the most common traumatic brain injury in car accidents. According to the Brain Injury Alliance, a concussion is usually caused by a direct blow to the head, violent shaking or an accident that causes whiplash.
You can get a concussion from both open and closed head injuries. These occur when blood vessels in the brain stretch and when the cranial nerves sustain damage. An individual with a concussion may not lose consciousness or show any severe symptoms, and as such, many victims do not seek necessary medical attention.
2. Contusion
A contusion is a bruise on the brain – usually the result of a direct impact on the head. In the case of car accidents, these are often due to external objects or the driver hitting his or her head on the steering wheel or window. If the contusion is large, it may be necessary to have surgery to remove it.
3. Diffuse Axonal
According to the Brain Injury Alliance, a diffuse axonal is caused by a strong rotation or shaking of the head. This is common in car accidents and abrupt stops when the brain does not move at the same speed as the skull. This causes the brain structures to tear.
4. Coup-Contrecoup
A Coup-Contrecoup is a medical condition in which contusions form on the site of the impact and on the opposite side of the brain. This typically happens when the impact is so great that the brain moves inside the skull and injures the opposite side of the impact.
5. Penetration
Penetrating injuries are less common in car accidents than through violent actions such as stabbings or gunshots, but they are still a very serious concern. These happen when the brain sustains an injury due to the impact and penetration of an external object such as metal fragments. They are often fatal.
If you were in a car crash and sustained a traumatic brain injury, contact the Churdar Law Firm. A Greenville personal-injury lawyer will assess your case and determine if you may have valid grounds to claim medical expenses or lost wages. Call us today at 864-233-0203 to schedule an appointment.