Car accidents can cause devastating injuries. This is particularly true when the injury affects the brain. The brain is so important that even a minor brain injury can make it difficult for a person to complete the necessary functions of daily life.
This article provides helpful information about the common brain injuries suffered after Alabama car accidents and their long-term effects. It also discusses the steps you can take to seek compensation.
Common Brain Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
The brain is remarkably delicate. However, it is well protected. While the brain is soft, the skull is hard. Additionally, the brain is surrounded by protective membranes and fluid.
The brain’s defenses are solid, but they are not invincible. A brain injury, also known as a traumatic brain injury or TBI, is any trauma to the brain that affects someone’s physical or cognitive abilities. It can also affect a person’s emotional state.
Brain injuries can be open or closed. Open brain injuries are also known as penetrating TBIs or open TBIs. These occur when something (e.g., glass, metal, or bone) pierces the skull and exposes the brain or its protective layers. In car accidents, closed brain injuries are quite common. When the body abruptly speeds up and slows down – as it might during a car crash – the brain can be knocked around the skull and subsequently injured.
Some common brain injuries include:
- Concussions – Concussions happen when an impact causes the brain to “bounce” in the skull.
- Contusions – A contusion is a bruise on the brain. The contusion can be on the side of impact (a “coup” injury) or on the opposite side of the impact (a “contrecoup”)
- Coup-Contrecoup Injuries – In coup-contrecoup injuries, the brain tissue is damaged on both sides.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) – This serious injury happens when thin, fibrous brain cells called axons are damaged. The injury affects the entire brain.
- Skull fractures – Breaks in the skull can lead to open TBIs.
Motor vehicle accidents can also cause edema (swelling), hemorrhage (bleeding), and intracranial hematomas (blood clots.)
Symptoms and Treatment of Common Car Accident Brain Injuries
The symptoms of brain injuries vary based on the type and severity. They can also change based on which parts of the brain are affected and other factors. However, headaches and loss of consciousness are often signs of damage to the brain. Other symptoms include
- Blurred vision,
- Confusion,
- Depression or anxiety,
- Difficulty speaking,
- Dizziness,
- Drowsiness or fatigue,
- Loss of balance or coordination,
- Memory issues,
- Mood swings,
- Ringing ears, and
- Sensitivity to light.
Severe brain injuries often produce additional symptoms. People experiencing these critical injuries might have slurred speech, convulsions, seizures, numbness, and a loss of brain fluid.
Before diagnosing you with a TBI, the doctor will likely perform a neurological exam to test various areas of brain function. Depending on the injury, the doctor may order a CT (computed tomography) scan or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exam. These tests give doctors insight into what’s happening in the brain and allow them to make a diagnosis.
Treatments for TBIs vary based on the injury. Minor TBIs can be treated with rest and over-the-counter medications. More serious injuries might require hospitalization or surgery.
If you or a loved one lose consciousness or show other signs of a brain injury after a car crash, you MUST see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you feel “fine,” get medical help as soon as you are able. After you get evaluated, keep organized records of all of your medical visits, treatments, and symptoms. This will be very helpful to your Alabama personal injury lawyer.
How Brain Injuries Can Affect You
Brain injuries can cause several issues. Medically, they can lead to difficulties in mobility, thinking, concentration, and communication. These issues can be temporary or permanent. You may have to change things at your home or office to adjust to your new situation.
Brain injuries also create a financial impact. Brain injuries can be expensive. An emergency room visit or a hospital stay can create sizable medical bills. Serious brain injuries may require long-term physical, occupational, or cognitive therapy. Worse, if your brain injury prevents you from working, you may lose income.
How Can an Alabama Accident Lawyer Help Me if I’ve Suffered a Car Accident-Related Brain Injury?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after a car accident, a Birmingham injury attorney can help you in several ways. An experienced attorney can
- Give you a fair evaluation of your case,
- Investigate and collect evidence,
- Locate expert witnesses on traumatic brain injuries,
- Help you negotiate a fair settlement that covers costs such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and
- Represent you in court, if necessary.
If you are looking for legal help after experiencing a brain injury or any other type of injury after an Alabama car accident, contact Collins Law, LLC. Our clients give us rave reviews for our communication, hard work, and results. If you’d like to learn more about how our firm can help you, schedule a free consultation by calling 205-588-1411 or using our website’s online scheduling tool.