Even small collisions can have serious repercussions. Trauma to the head or back is especially severe, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 14 percent of brain injuries happen during car accidents. Treating these injuries often requires ongoing care, but with the help of a brain injury attorney, victims may be able to recover compensation via a civil lawsuit.
If your brain injury was the result of a negligent driver’s actions, then he or she may be liable for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages and more. The Law Offices of Needle & Ellenberg, PA can assess your case and determine if you have valid grounds for a claim. Call 305-290-173 to speak with a Tampa car accident lawyer.
Until then, read on to learn about four brain injuries that are common in car accidents:
1. Contusion
If you do not get treatment for a contusion, the consequences can be dire. Hitting your head hard can cause a contusion that may require surgery.
Contusions are particularly common in car accidents because victims hit their heads on the steering wheel, side windows or windshield, which causes blunt force trauma. In severe cases, contusions can cause long-term brain damage.
2. Penetration
Car accidents can cause objects to fly throughout the vehicle. One of these objects can very easily penetrate your skull.
Metal items, glass shards and other projectiles are extremely dangerous. If any of them penetrate your skull, then you will need immediate surgery to remove the projectile and to stop bleeding within the brain.
3. Diffuse Axonal
A powerful, sudden rotation of the head can cause a diffuse axonal, which tears neck muscles, nerves and blood vessels inside the brain. A diffuse axonal injury occurs when a vehicle comes to a sudden stop, such as when rear-ending another car or truck.
4. Concussion
Concussions are the most common head injuries associated with car wrecks. They typically occur when the victim hits his or her head with a powerful impact, but extreme shaking or whiplash can also cause a concussion. There is seldom an open wound to indicate a concussion; instead, the injury stretches blood vessels inside the brain to their breaking point, where they damage other nerves.
A concussion is more serious than most people assume. Without medical attention, it can cause lasting brain damage, particularly among those who suffer prolonged dizziness or disorientation. It is essential that you get medical help at the first sign of a brain injury.
If your brain injury is accruing costly medical bills, forcing you to take time off work, causing physical disabilities or giving you any other life-altering consequences, then you should contacta Tampa brain injury attorney for advice. The Law Offices of Needle & Ellenberg, PA is available at 305-290-1736 to guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit against the at-fault part.