Can a Car Accident Cause Brain Damage?

Unfortunately, brain injuries are often sustained after a car accident. However, some accident victims don’t realize they have sustained a brain injury as they can go undetected for a long time and don’t always display any symptoms. Therefore, it’s important for car accident victims to have a full physical examination after a crash to ensure that they haven’t sustained a brain injury. Although 80% of people who sustain a brain injury won’t suffer from any long-term effects, 20% of people have to deal with the permanent effects of a serious brain injury. 

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, you should seek legal representation as soon as possible. Living with traumatic brain injuries can significantly decrease a person’s quality of life, and you may be able to claim compensation for this. Our lawyers have 75 years of combined experience filing car accident claims, so we know how to get the best compensation possible if you have been injured due to a car crash. At The Law Place, we believe that accident victims have the right to seek justice and claim compensation for their car accident, especially when the victim wasn’t at fault. 

Our phone lines are always open, so if you have a question or doubt about your accident or brain injury claim, don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible. Call us on (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer today. 

Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Many brain injuries occur when one vehicle collides with another vehicle and the driver’s brain moves forward/backward rapidly or shakes quickly. Traumatic brain injuries are serious injuries that can cause brain damage, so they should be treated by a licensed doctor or surgeon quickly and efficiently. Some symptoms of a brain injury include:

• Concussion – This occurs when the head is jolted or hit and causes the brain to move forward or backward quickly. Symptoms of concussion include nausea, dizziness, and even temporary blindness. A person with a concussion may also experience a loss of consciousness. A concussion is normally considered to be a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). 
• Contusion – Just like other parts of your body, your brain can be bruised if it endures impact. Bruising of the brain is serious as it can cause brain swelling, which can sometimes prove fatal. Unlike a standard bruise on the leg or arm, a brain contusion usually takes a long time to heal. Sufferers of a contusion may have difficulty staying balanced, and walking can also be a challenge.
• Coup-contrecoup – This is a head injury that occurs on the opposite side of where the impact was sustained to the head. In other words, coup-contrecoup injuries result in two sides of the brain sustaining an injury: where the initial injury impact was sustained as well as the other side of the brain. Symptoms of these injuries include loss of speech, confusion, and memory loss.
• Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) – When the brain shifts quickly, long connecting fibers in the brain called axons may be torn. Common symptoms of this traumatic brain injury are fatigue, disorientation, and dizziness. A diffuse axonal injury may require treatment, including speech and physical therapy.
• Penetrating injuries – When a foreign object penetrates the skull, a penetrative brain injury occurs. For example, debris from a car accident, such as glass or another part of the vehicle, may penetrate the skull. The severity of this traumatic brain injury depends on the size of the foreign object that penetrates the skull and the position of the object in relation to the brain. For example, if the object penetrates the skull and pierces the brain, this will most likely be categorized as a severe injury that can prove fatal. 

Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Knowing the symptoms of traumatic brain injuries is crucial to recognizing the injury and receiving medical treatment as soon as possible. The faster a person with a traumatic brain injury receives medical attention, the more likely they are to fully recover from their injury. Common symptoms of traumatic brain injuries include:

• Cognitive effects – Brain injuries can impair brain function, including memory loss, lack of concentration, and confusion. Extreme tiredness is also often felt by those suffering from a brain injury. 
• Physical effects – A traumatic brain injury can be detrimental to the body’s physical condition. A brain injury can cause chronic pain, seizures, and paralysis. An individual suffering from a brain injury may have difficulty walking and could have trouble with coordination and balance. 
• Sensory impairment – Senses, including touch and sight, may be affected due to a traumatic brain injury. For example, sufferers of a brain injury may have no feeling when their skin is touched, or they may experience a tingling sensation in their limbs. Likewise, their eyesight may be diminished due to their injury.
• Speech impairment – A person’s speech may be slurred or generally difficult to understand if they are suffering from a brain injury. A severe traumatic brain injury may even cause a person to lose their speech completely. 
• Seizures – Those suffering from a head injury are more prone to seizures. A seizure occurs when there is uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. When a seizure occurs, the person may lose control of their muscles and general bodily function, causing them to have a fit that involves the body violently shaking. 
• Change in mood – A person with a brain injury may notice a change in their behavior or mood. They may experience feelings of depression, anxiety, and extreme mood swings. 

Head and brain injuries range from moderate to severe. The effects of a moderate brain injury can be frustrating and painful, while a severe brain injury can cause permanent brain damage and, in some cases, death. Car accident brain injuries are often serious as their impact is usually sustained when traveling at high speeds. 

If you have any symptoms of a brain injury or have been treated for one after a car accident, call our law firm today. We can analyze your medical records and determine how much money you may be owed as a result of the injuries you have sustained. 

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

A brain injury usually occurs when the head receives a heavy direct blow. Common causes of brain injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents.
• Slip and fall accidents.
• Sports injuries.
• Explosive blasts.
• Violence includes battery and assault. 

Can a Person Recover From a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Fortunately, it’s possible for many people to fully recover from a traumatic brain injury. Like with any injury, the likelihood of fully recovering from an injury depends on its severity as well as the individual who has sustained the injury. That is, a younger person with no pre-existing conditions is much more likely to fully recover from a mild injury much quicker than an elderly person with other health complications. 

A person recovering from a traumatic brain injury may experience a variety of symptoms during the early stages of recovery. Someone with a significant brain injury might be in a coma or minimally conscious state after an accident. This is common for such an injury, as this is normally how the body recovers from a serious brain injury. 

What Should I Do If I Suspect I Have Sustained a Brain Injury?

If you suspect you have sustained a brain injury, it’s essential that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Traumatic brain injuries should be taken very seriously, as they can cause brain damage and can even be fatal. 

It’s important to note that some brain injuries are not always apparent. For example, blood clots, blood vessel ruptures, brain tissue swelling, and internal bleeding can be undetectable to the naked eye for hours, days, or even weeks after the initial impact. Therefore, it’s important to visit a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. A medical professional can carry out brain scans to examine the extent of damage to the brain and offer the necessary treatment. 

Damages You May Be Able to Claim After a Car Accident

The value of your settlement greatly depends on the circumstances surrounding your car accident. For example, you may be owed compensation to cover the costs of medical treatment you received to treat your head trauma, and the severity of the injury could determine the value of the final settlement. For example, those suffering from severe traumatic brain injuries are far more likely to receive a higher amount of compensation than those suffering from a mild concussion. 

Damages that you may be able to claim after a car accident include:

• Medical bills – You have most likely received medical care in order to treat your traumatic brain injury. A mild traumatic brain injury may require the sufferer to take pain-relieving medication, while a more serious injury to the brain may require surgery to repair skull fractures. Victims of head injuries usually undergo CT scans or x-rays to check the state of the head and brain. Although necessary, medical care and medication can be very expensive, and an attorney can help you cover the costs of these medical bills. 
• Lost wages – If you have been unable to work due to your traumatic brain injury, you may have been unable to earn money. An attorney can calculate how much compensation you may be entitled to based on your lost income. 
• Property damage – If your car or other property has been damaged as a result of your accident, you may be able to claim compensation to cover the costs to repair or replace it. 
• Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering damages are awarded to those who have experienced physical pain and mental trauma due to their accident. If your brain injury has significantly decreased your quality of life, then you can claim compensation for this. For example, if you have experienced feelings such as fatigue, insomnia, and depression as a direct result of your traumatic injury, then you may be able to receive compensation. 
• Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be able to claim compensation to cover expenses, including burial costs and medical expenses that the person incurred before their death.

Motor vehicle accidents often lead to victims incurring large debts to worry about. If you have sustained a moderate to severe brain injury, it’s likely that you have incurred expensive medical bills while being treated for the injury. Our team of attorneys at The Law Place can calculate how much compensation you may be entitled to after your accident and file an insurance claim in order to win it for you. Call our law firm for a free case evaluation with a top Florida lawyer today. 

What Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Do for Me?

At The Law Place, we understand how devastating sustaining a traumatic brain injury can be after a car accident, not only due to the physical pain and emotional trauma inflicted but also because of the huge financial burdens and debts that usually follow these accidents. 

Our team of professional attorneys will fight to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve for your accident. In order to win this compensation for you, our attorneys will:

• Review your case.
• Examine medical records and doctor’s notes.
• Explain the legalities surrounding your claim.
• Calculate the damages you are entitled to claim.
• Collect evidence. 
• File your insurance claim.
• Deal with your insurance company. 
• Meet important deadlines.
• Represent you in court if necessary. 

At our law firm, we value our clients, and we understand how beneficial it can be to receive compensation after an auto accident, and so we fight tirelessly to get the compensation that we believe our client deserves. 

Our lawyers are some of the best personal injury lawyers in Florida, and most of the members of our legal team have an AVVO rating of 10.0, which is the highest possible score that an attorney can achieve. In other words, we have the necessary experience to make sure that you get the best outcome possible for your case.

What’s more, we work on a no-win-no-fee basis as monitored by The State Bar Association. Therefore, you won’t have to pay for our legal services if we are unsuccessful with your case. If we’re able to win you compensation, we’ll take a percentage of the final settlement to cover our legal fees. Our clients also have the opportunity to have a free consultation with one of our attorneys to ask any questions they may have before officially filing their claim.

Contact The Law Place Today

In short, sustaining head injuries from a car accident can lead to the victim suffering from brain damage. A licensed medical professional can carry out the necessary tests to determine whether or not the patient has sustained a traumatic brain injury. A severe TBI can cause devastating effects and impairments to the human body, so it’s important to seek medical attention soon after an accident occurs. 

If you have sustained a brain injury as a result of a car accident, contact The Law Place. We can help you claim compensation for your car accident claim. Whether you’ve sustained a mild or severe TBI, you may be entitled to claim compensation. We understand how daunting filing a claim can seem. However, your attorney will be with you every step of the way throughout the legal process to clarify any doubts and alleviate any stress related to your claim. 

Our phone lines are always open, so you can call us when you’re ready to. We offer all of our clients a free consultation with one of our attorneys before they decide to hire our services. Call us on (941) 444-4444 to speak to a personal injury attorney about your case today.