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Car accidents are a common and frightening reality. Even when victims are fortunate enough to survive, the accident can leave them with severe brain injuries that can have long-term effects. This blog will discuss the various types of brain injuries, other than the common concussion, that can result from car accidents, as well as the necessary steps to take if you or a loved one suffers from one of these injuries.
Brain Contusions
One of the most common traumatic brain injuries that victims experience in a car accident is a contusion. A contusion is essentially a bruise on the brain caused by blunt force trauma that occurs when the head strikes an object inside the vehicle, such as a steering wheel or dashboard. Depending on how severe it is, this type of injury can lead to:
- Unconsciousness,
- Confusion,
- Dizziness,
- And other cognitive deficits.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately after any type of car accident to determine whether or not you have suffered any form of traumatic brain injury.
Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
DAI is another form of traumatic brain injury caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration forces that occur in car accidents. The force causes microscopic tears in the nerve cells which disrupts normal communication between neurons throughout the entire brain.
This type of injury can cause severe cognitive, sensory and motor impairments that range from mild to severe depending on how much nerve damage has occurred. DAI is often difficult to diagnose since symptoms may not surface for days or even weeks after an accident occurs. This is why seeking medical attention after an accident is so important because you may have an injury and you don’t even realize it!
Coup and Contrecoup Injury
Coup and contrecoup injuries are similar to diffuse axonal injuries in that they are caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration forces during a crash; however, they also involve impact trauma due to an object striking the head from outside the vehicle during an accident. If these impacts occur at different points on either side of the head, there can be two separate areas where damage has occurred—one where it was struck and one where it slammed into something else due to momentum—which is what makes coup-contrecoup injuries unique from other forms of TBIs related to car accidents. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, confusion, impaired motor skills and memory problems.
Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Gulfport, MS
If you or someone you know has suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of a car accident, it is important to seek legal help in order to protect your rights. At Gulf South Law Firm, we understand how devastating these types of injuries can be and are here to provide you with quality legal representation.
If you have been injured in a car accident and have sustained a catastrophic injury, call our office today at (228) 231-3989 for a free consultation.