The most common type of injury sustained during a car accident is a head injury. Head injuries vary in severity and have the potential to permanently affect an individual’s quality of life. Car accident victims may be eligible for compensation following a traumatic head injury in an accident. Edmond El Dabe offers victims a free, no-obligation consultation to help them better understand the legal options available to them. The Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys are highly-skilled negotiators that can help you file your claim and receive maximum compensation.
What Are The Most Common Brain Injuries In Car Accidents?
There are five common types of brain injuries that people often experience following a car accident, including:
- Concussion
- Diffuse Axonal Injury
- Contusion
- Coup-countercoup Injury
- Penetration
Those who believe they have sustained a head injury are advised to seek medical attention immediately.
Concussion
Concussions, characterized as mild traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs), are the most common brain injury caused by car accidents. Common symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. More than 812,000 children below the age of 17 are admitted to the emergency room every year after sustaining a concussion.
Typically, concussions are not fatal. However, the severity of concussions can vary significantly, and a more severe concussion may result in long-lasting symptoms, such as chronic pain. Most patients only require rest to fully recover from a concussion, but medication may be required in the event of a more severe injury.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
Diffuse axonal injuries are the result of exerting significant force on the brain, which commonly occurs during a car accident. When excessive force is exerted on an individual’s head, the brain can move rapidly within the skull, compromising the connection between it and the rest of the body and causing fibers to tear. People who sustain diffuse axonal injuries often experience a coma.
Contusion
A contusion is a bruise on the brain caused by a direct impact to the head and brain. Contusions can develop when a driver is struck by a foreign object or hits their head on a stationary object, such as a window or steering wheel. Common symptoms of a contusion include slurred speech, changes in cognitive abilities, and tingling or numbing of the affected area.
Coup-Countercoup
Similar to a diffuse axonal injury, a coup-countercoup injury may develop when the brain moves rapidly in the skull. A sudden impact, such as a car accident, can cause the brain to strike either side of the skull, resulting in bleeding on the brain, skull fractures, swelling of the brain and loss of consciousness.
Penetration Injury
A penetrating head injury involves a foreign object penetrating the skull. In most cases, everyday objects that a driver may keep in their vehicle become dangerous projectiles and could cause additional injuries. Most of these injuries are fatal and could result in complications, such as difficulty breathing, paralysis, heavy blood loss, coma, bleeding from the ears, and loss of sensation and movement.
Request A Free Consultation Today
If you sustained a head injury in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, pain, suffering, and medical bills. The experienced Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers can assess your claim and determine what legal options are available to help you seek compensation. Contact their offices online or by phone to schedule a free consultation.