Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a common consequence of car accidents. Since most TBIs require hospitalization and even surgery, the cost of therapy can be high and impose financial difficulty on the family. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident and have a traumatic brain injury, call Wilshire Law Firm to obtain the compensation you deserve. Your car accident injuries deserve both physical and legal attention.
Table of Contents:
- Implications of Brain Injuries
- What Is TBI?
- Why Location of TBI Matters
- Brain Injury Types
- Treatment of Brain Injuries
- Compensation for Brain Injuries through Lawsuits
- Call Wilshire Law Firm 24/7 – Free Case Review
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Helpful Resources
Start with a confidential and free case review. Contact us 24/7 at (800) 522-7274.
The Implications of Brain Injuries in Car Accidents
Traffic collisions are a leading cause of brain injury in the United States. Brain trauma is a devastating injury that can affect victims in many ways. Every year, brain injuries sustained in traffic collisions affect thousands of people. If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic collision, it is crucial to understand the effects of brain trauma and the steps needed for recovery.
Treatment for brain trauma can be extensive and costly, so it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. There are many resources available for people who have suffered from a brain injury, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Wilshire Law Firm Attorneys Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in a car accident, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. The TBI Accident Lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm has more than 15 years of experience helping brain injury victims and their families get the compensation they deserve. Call us today at (800) 522-7274 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a penetrating skull injury or a jolt to the skull. An object that penetrates the brain such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull can cause a TBI. So can a fall or traffic accident.
A closed injury happens when the head hits an object but the item does not penetrate the skull. An example of a closed head injury is a concussion. In a car accident, it generally occurs when the head hits the frame of the door or the dash.
LEARN MORE: Traumatic Brain Injury Guide
The Location of a TBI Is Important
A TBI can cause damage to any part of the brain, including the cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem. The severity of a traumatic brain injury may be mild to extremely damaging. A TBI can cause a range of changes in thinking, emotions and behavior. Several factors determine how a TBI affects an individual, including the severity of the injury, where it occurs in the brain and the individual’s age and health before the accident.
The Severity of A Brain Injury
Mild TBI may result in temporary problems with thinking, memory or concentration. Moderate and severe TBI can cause impaired thinking and memory, loss of sensation, coma or even death.
Traumatic brain injuries can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some people experience only minor effects that resolve quickly, while others experience long-term, even permanent, problems.
Most people who have a TBI will need medical treatment, and some will require long-term care and support.
Types of Brain Injuries
There are many different types of brain injuries, each with its own set of symptoms, causes and severity. Some common types of brain injuries include:
- Penetrating injuries: Penetrating injuries are caused by objects that penetrate the skull and enter the brain. These types of injuries can be very serious, depending on the location and severity of the injury.
- Concussions: A concussion is a type of brain injury that is caused by a bump or blow to the head. Concussions can cause various symptoms, including headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and memory problems. Concussions are usually considered mild brain injuries, but they can still have serious consequences. The symptoms of a concussion can last six to 24 months.
- Contusions: A contusion is a type of brain injury that is caused by a direct blow to the head. Contusions can cause bruising of the brain tissue and bleeding. These bruises are often more severe than concussions and can require surgery to remove the damaged tissue.
- Coup-contrecoup injuries: A coup-contrecoup injury is a type of trauma that occurs when the head is hit with such force that it causes the brain to slam into the opposite side of the skull. This can cause bruising, bleeding, and other damage to the brain.
- Diffuse axonal traumatic injuries: This injury is a type of brain trauma that is caused by shaking or rotation of the head. This can cause tearing of the nerve fibers in the brain and lead to a variety of symptoms, including coma and paralysis.
- Subdural hematoma: A subdural hematoma is a type of brain injury that is caused by bleeding beneath the skull. This can happen if a blood vessel is ruptured or if there is a tear in the brain tissue. This injury can put pressure on the brain and usually involves surgical intervention.
- Skull fractures: A skull fracture is a break in one of the bones of the skull. Skull fractures can cause bruising, bleeding and other damage to the brain.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of brain injury that is caused by bleeding in the space around the brain. This can happen if an aneurysm ruptures or if there is a head injury. A subarachnoid hemorrhage can cause severe headaches, neurological deficits and even death.
If you or a family member suffered a brain injury, it is important to seek medical care immediately. Brain injuries can have various short- and long-term effects, so it is vital to get the treatment you need as soon as possible to try and minimize long-term complications.
Treatment of Brain Injury
After a traumatic brain injury, patients may require neurocritical care. This type of care is specialized and intensive. Patients are carefully monitored and have hourly neuro checks. Treatment may include medication, surgery and rehabilitation. Recovery from a TBI can take years.
The degree of damage determines the treatment. In most cases, mild concussions can be healed by resting for a few days or months. OTC analgesics are also used. . All TBIs that fall in the moderate to severe range require hospitalization usually within the intensive care unit. Some patients with swelling and bleeding in the brain require surgical intervention. Every effort is made to decrease swelling and move the patient to a head injury recovery unit.
ICU Treatment
There are several ways that patients are treated in the unit:
- In order to keep patients comfortable, pain medications and sedatives are administered.
- Medications for preventing damaging seizures are given.
- To keep the pressure down, hypertonic saline is used. In addition to being sodium-heavy, it helps remove fluid in the brain.
- During treatment, the patient is closely monitored for infection. The organism that is causing the infection is identified by running tests, and the antibiotics that are effective in killing it are determined.
Ways to Monitor a Brain Injury
Some monitors include:
- Monitor to measure brain oxygen: A small catheter is inserted through the skull into the tissue to measure brain oxygen levels.
- Intracranial pressure monitor: The pressure of the intracranial fluid is measured using a small tube placed within the brain. When a brain injury occurs, the pressure may increase. This parameter is used when lowering the pressure.
- Ventilator: In some cases, ventilators are required to help patients breathe.
- EEG monitor: This monitor measures seizure activity and since they are common in 25 percent of all TBI patients, it is useful. In some cases, the seizure is so tiny that it cannot be seen by the naked eye. Using an electroencephalogram, even minor seizures without convulsions can be detected. Most patients with TBI are monitored for 72 hours after the injury to prevent seizures.
Brain Injury Compensation
It depends on the type and severity of the injury but most TBIs take a long time and extensive rehabilitation to recover from a brain injury if it is possible.
Many types of brain injury treatment are expensive and hospital-centric. There is no guarantee that it will be covered by insurance. Because of this injury, lost income and wages may make it impossible to pay for therapy covered by a standard policy. That is why it is reasonable to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party or their insurance company.
Insurers are not in the business of losing money and often use tricks and various ways to avoid responsibility. It is essential to have an injury lawyer with the legal acumen, experience and resources to obtain the compensation you need.
Free Case Review with Our Experienced Brain Injury Law Firm Today
If you have sustained a brain injury in an accident, you should contact Wilshire Law Firm as soon as possible. If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, you may be able to receive financial compensation. Death can occur as a result of brain injuries in some cases. Suing a responsible party may be an option if you suffer any of these consequences.
Our law firm can help you from start to finish. Call us today at (800) 522-7274 to schedule a free case review. We can also be contacted online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blunt Force Trauma Injuries
Are brain injuries common in car accidents?
Aside from falls, car accidents are the most common reason for brain injury.
Is the treatment for brain injuries costly?
Because of the complexity of this type of injury and its treatment, it is expensive.
Are most people out of work after a TBI?
This depends on the severity of the injury. For most types of TBI, lost time from work is common.
More Resources from Wilshire Law Firm
- Start a FREE Car Accident Injury Case Review
- What To Do After a Car Accident
- Common Car Accident Injuries that may lead to a lawsuit
- Traumatic Brain Injury Guide (TBI)
- Car Accident Lawsuit Mistakes – What Not To Do
