Brain Injuries After Car Accidents

Brain injury is among the common severe injuries that may occur after a car accident. This injury happens when a sudden jolt or blow to the head disrupts the brain's normal function. The effects of a brain injury can be temporary or permanent and range from mild to severe.

If you sustain brain injury after an accident, you are eligible for compensation to cover the pain, suffering, and financial damage. But first, understand the common types of brain injuries, the symptoms, and what you should do next.

Brain Injury Types

Various types of brain injuries may occur after an accident.

Coup Contrecoup Injury

This brain injury is due to the impact of the head against an object. The force causes the brain to bounce off the skull and hit the other side. As a result, you may suffer bruises on both sides of your brain.

After sustaining this injury, you may experience headaches, dizziness, loss of consciousness, nausea, and vomiting.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

This severe brain injury may occur when your head rotates suddenly or moves back and forth violently. The impact shears the nerve fibers in your brain, causing widespread damage.

Diffuse axonal injuries are among the most serious types of brain injuries. They often result in coma or death. In addition, victims may suffer from long-term learning, memory, and motor skills problems if they survive.

Penetration Injury

Penetration brain injury is common in car accidents that involve high-speed collisions. In such accidents, flying debris or a shattered windshield may penetrate the skull and injure the brain.

This type of injury may cause bleeding in the brain, contusion (bruising of brain tissue), or damage to specific parts of the brain.

Concussion

This injury is probably the most common and mild of all brain injuries after an accident. The brain bangs against the skull when the head is hit with great force, causing temporary loss of brain function.

Most people who suffer concussions recover fully within a few days or weeks. However, some may experience long-term problems, such as headaches, dizziness, sleep disorders, and mood swings.

What to Do If You Suffer Brain Injury After an Accident

If you suspect that you or your loved one has suffered a brain injury after an accident, here are critical steps to take immediately.

Seek Medical Attention

The first thing you should do is to see a doctor immediately, even if you don't feel any pain. Some brain injuries, such as concussions, may not show symptoms immediately. A trained medical professional can carry out tests to determine the type and severity of your injury.

Keep the medical records and bills as they will be vital in building your compensation case. These documents include doctor's notes and diagnoses, hospital records, imaging scans, and medical bills.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

After receiving treatment, the next step should be to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The lawyer will protect your rights, help you navigate the insurance claim process, and ensure you get total compensation for your injuries.

The attorney will also investigate the accident to identify the liable parties and gather evidence to support your claim.



File an Insurance Claim or Lawsuit Within the Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is a timeframe within which you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit. If you fail to file within this period, you may lose your right to compensation.

An experienced personal injury lawyer will help you meet all the deadlines and gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.

At Frank Penny Injury Lawyers, we have experienced brain injury lawyers who will aggressively fight for your rights. Even better, our payment is contingent, which means you won't pay us unless we win your case. Contact us to schedule a consultation.