Brain Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes were the second leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in 2014. TBIs are caused by a sudden force or trauma to the brain. The symptoms of TBIs vary on the severity and what part of the brain was impacted. As the Brain Injury Association of America highlights, there are six different sections of the brain called lobes and each one has a specific function. While severe TBIs can lead to coma or death, even a mild concussion can take months to recover from and can affect a person’s work, family, and overall energy levels throughout the day.

Types of Brain Injuries

• Concussion – Concussions occur when the brain strikes the skull after a sudden change in momentum or movement. The severity of concussions can vary widely.
• Contusion – Contusions are bruises and can occur on the brain when the head hits something such as the steering wheel or window during a crash.
• Diffuse Axonal – A diffuse axonal injury occurs when the head experiences a sudden rotation or shaking that causes tearing in the brain structure.
• Coup-Contrecoup – Coup-contrecoup injuries occur when the head hits an object and then also is injured on the opposite side of the brain from the initial impact. For instance, in a vehicle crash the driver’s head may hit the steering wheel causing an injury around the forehead, but then the impact will force the head back again, causing injury on the rear side of the brain. High speed crashes, multiple vehicle crashes, and rollovers are likely to cause this type of brain injury.
• Penetration – As it sounds, penetration injuries occur when an object punctures through the skull and brain. This can happen from something within the car shifting during a crash and penetrating a person’s skull or if something outside the car breaks through the vehicle and hits the person in the head.

Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury 

Some symptoms of a TBI may be delayed, so it is critical that you pay attention to any changes you experience in the days after a traffic crash. Symptoms include: 

• Skull fractures;
• Bleeding in the brain;
• Swelling in the brain;
• Loss of consciousness;
• Headaches;
• Dizziness;
• Confusion;
• Sensitivity to light and noise;
• Vomiting;
• Fatigue;
• Cognitive changes;
• Coma;
• Paralysis;
• Seizures;
• Memory loss;
• Slow reaction and thinking times; and
• More.

The Solution Now Law Firm Can Handle Your Personal Injury Case

A traumatic brain injury can take months or even years to recover from. If you suffer from a TBI as the result of a traffic collision, it is important you file a personal injury claim to seek compensation. Compensation for damages will help you pay for the medical bills, time taken away from work, and any therapy you need to help with recovery. At the Solution Now Law Firm, our San Jose personal injury attorneys understand how difficult it can be to take on tasks when dealing with a TBI. We will handle the legal work, so you can rest your brain and heal. Contact our offices at 408-716-2331 to schedule a free consultation about your case.

Resource:

cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html

biausa.org/brain-injury/about-brain-injury/basics/function-of-the-brain