Car accidents cause a wide variety of injuries that vary in severity depending on many factors, such as the speed both cars have traveled and where the impact is made on both vehicles. The most serious type of injury is called a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which develops when a strong collision causes significant damage to the brain. TBI represents one of the most common reasons why a victim of an auto collision develops a disability. It also is one of the most common causes of death among victims of vehicle collisions.
If you sustained a TBI as the result of a car accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you receive the compensation that you deserve to recover financial losses.
What Are the Most Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
According to researchers at Northeastern University, TBI is defined by two broad categories: Open and closed. An open TBI, which is often referred to as a penetrating brain injury, means the skull has fractured or has been penetrated by an object. Closed traumatic brain injuries result in a strong impact on the head, but the skull does not fracture. Sustaining a closed TBI is more common in cases of car accidents
Let’s review the most common types of injuries that negatively impact the performance of the brain.
Concussion
Most concussions are considered a milder version of a traumatic brain injury. Symptoms of a concussion include memory loss, as well as issues with speech, vision, and/or coordination. The most effective treatment is the passage of time, as a healthcare provider cannot apply any techniques to heal the internal injury.
Because the symptoms of a concussion frequently do not develop right away, working with an experienced car accident attorney can determine if you qualify to receive the financial assistance approved by an insurance company or even the monetary damages awarded during a civil lawsuit.
Contusion
A contusion represents a form of bruising that develops under the skin as the result of a strong impact made to the head. It is often connected to the development of concussion symptoms, and if not diagnosed in a timely manner, can lead to serious medical consequences. If the bleeding does not stop, a victim might have to undergo a delicate type of surgery that relieves pressure on the brain. An untreated contusion that does not stop bleeding can develop into a life-threatening medical condition.
Hematoma
A hematoma represents a common form of TBI that happens when the blood vessels in the brain rupture and the blood starts to clot as the body tries to stop the bleeding. Hematomas differ in size, with an above-average size hematoma applying tremendous pressure on the brain. The size of the blood clot determines the seriousness of the symptoms, which might require surgery to diminish or eliminate.
Financial Impact of a TBI
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1.7 million people sustain a TBI each year throughout the United States. Lifetime medical expenses can exceed $4 million to treat and rehabilitate the symptoms. Physical therapy alone can cost as much as $1 million over a victim’s lifetime. The daily costs associated with treating a TBI right after a car accident average $8,000 per day.
If you have sustained a TBI that resulted from the impact of a vehicle collision, act with a sense of urgency by contacting an experienced car accident lawyer.
