Blog Post

Traumatic Brain Injuries And Car Accidents

Car crashes often result in traumatic brain injuries (TBI) which can be life-changing, sometimes causing permanent disabilities which can impact every aspect of the injured individual’s life. According to a 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) TBI Surveillance Report 25% of TBI-related hospitalizations were the result of motor vehicle accidents. Considering the substantial number of TBIs that occur each year in the United States, it is easy to understand the connection between traumatic brain injuries and car accidents. Those who have suffered this type of injury in Arizona due to a car accident caused by negligence may want to consider reaching out to Chuck Franklin directly at 480-545-0700.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury may be caused by a shattered piece of skull or other object that penetrates brain tissue. This type of injury may also be caused by a violent or sudden jolt or blow to the body or head. According to John Hopkins Medicine, damage to the brain can occur in one or more areas of the brain, and traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in adults. Car crashes are often violent; the sudden impact of one car to another can easily result in a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries and car accidents often go hand-in-hand, and many people do not realize that even at slow speed, TBIs may occur.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

There are three types of traumatic brain injuries which include:

Mild TBI or Concussion

Concussions are the mildest types of traumatic brain injuries, although an individual may lose consciousness for a brief period of time. Victims may suffer mood changes or cognitive issues for a short period of time; computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) often appear normal, making a mild TBI difficult to diagnose.

Moderate TBI

This type of traumatic brain injury often results in loss of consciousness and post-traumatic amnesia for up to 24 hours. Some abnormalities may appear in CT scans or MRIs, and symptoms may continue for months or longer. In some cases, victims can experience longer recovery times, and even suffer depression and anxiety.

Severe TBI

With a severe traumatic brain injury, the patient may experience amnesia or loss of consciousness for longer than 24 hours. Coma is also a possibility, along with abnormalities in the brain that may be permanent. Seizures may also occur and last for a few seconds or several minutes.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries and car accidents often result in symptoms that can help determine the seriousness of a TBI. While some symptoms are shared among the various types of TBIs, others are more specific. Symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury often include:

• Confusion or disorientation
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Slurred speech
• Loss of balance
• Memory loss
• Tinnitus (ringing or noises in one or both ears)

Symptoms of a severe traumatic brain injury may include:

• Loss of coordination
• Seizures
• Unusual behavior
• Convulsions
• Dilated pupils
• Severe confusion
• Slurred speech
• Inability to wake from sleeping
• Finger and toe numbness or weakness
• Coma

Regardless of the symptoms, those involved in a car accident who suspect they may have a traumatic brain injury should seek medical attention right away. Consider speaking with an experienced Arizona car accident attorney at Chuck Franklin Law to learn more about your legal rights and how to receive justice after a car accident.

Car Accidents and TBI

When it comes to traumatic brain injuries and car accidents there are several types of brain injury that often result due to a crash. Contusions, coup-contrecoup brain injuries, and open head injuries are a few examples.

• Contusions are bruises that occur when the head is impacted externally. These injuries range from minor to extremely serious. When areas of the brain edge outside of the skull, it is known as a brain herniation. This type of injury often necessitates emergency intervention.
• Coup-contrecoup TBIs are often the result of the head being impacted by an object. This type of injury occurs both at the point of impact (coup) and the diametric side of the brain (contrecoup). The brain shifts inside the skull at impact and strikes the skull on the other side, resulting in two brain injuries.
• Open head injuries involve penetration of the skull and brain and are often caused by projectiles that fracture or crack the skull. Surgery may be required to relieve brain swelling and pressure on the skull.

Costs Associated with Traumatic Brain Injuries

The costs related to a traumatic brain injury can be overwhelming depending on the severity of the injury. Medical costs vary depending on insurance coverage, level of care required, duration of the injury, and other factors. When someone is disabled either for the short- or long-term, they may be unable to work and need additional care.

TBI patients experience pain and suffering, and often suffer emotionally as well. Treatment may be needed for depression and anxiety. Lost wages, medical, and other costs can severely impact a person’s ability to live at the normal standard they are accustomed to, and their quality of life will be affected as well. Those whose lives are impacted due to the negligence of someone else are frequently entitled to compensation of costs associated with their injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can be life-changing not only for the victim, but their family members as well.

Consider Scheduling a Consultation with Chuck Franklin Today

Traumatic brain injuries occur far more often than most people are aware of. Some are mild and have little impact on health or life; others are extremely severe and, in some cases, life-threatening. A minor car accident can leave someone with a TBI, and a high-speed impact can result in a serious traumatic brain injury. Whether the head is struck by an object or strikes an object such as a dashboard or windshield makes no difference, the simple act of the head suddenly snapping forward and back is sometimes all it takes to cause a TBI. Those who are interested in learning more about traumatic brain injuries and car accidents may want to consider visiting with an Arizona car accident attorney directly at Chuck Franklin Law, 480-545-0700.