Can a Car Accident Cause a Brain Injury?

Concussions

Arguably the most common type of catastrophic injury in Las Vegas is concussions. They are also known as minor traumatic brain injuries. Concussions can happen from a sudden jolt in a car accident which impacts the brain hard enough to cause damage. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, or even personality changes. In addition, one of the unusual aspects of concussions is that this injury can involve delayed symptoms. In some cases, major symptoms might not manifest for days, weeks, or months after an accident.

Contusions

A contusion is another word for a brain bruise. While this terminology might sound minor, contusions are serious injuries involving bleeding under the brain’s surface. They often heal on their own. However, in some cases, failing to address this can have fatal consequences.

Coup-Contrecoup Injuries

A coup-contrecoup injury is essentially two traumatic brain injuries. The term is French for “blow” and “counterblow.” First, blunt force trauma to the head damages the brain. But, the impact is strong enough to cause the brain to accelerate across the skull. The second injury occurs when the brain strikes the other side, causing more damage at the second point of impact.

Penetrating Brain Injuries

Although most brain injuries result from blunt force trauma, some involve direct damage. For example, a penetrating brain injury, classified as an open head injury, can occur if the skull fractures or when an object pierces the brain—for instance, in a car accident, a shard of glass becomes a projectile and enters the brain upon impact.

Diffuse Axonal Injuries

Diffuse axonal injuries—or DAI—have much in common with concussions. This injury occurs when a sudden impact jolts the brain. Where these injuries differ is the location where damage occurs. DAI involves damage to the connective tissue between the spinal cord and the brain.

Contact Valiente Mott for a Free Consultation

Car accidents involve a tremendous amount of force on the human body. When that force impacts the head, brain injuries are a common occurrence. If you believe you are entitled to compensation for brain injuries in Nevada, now is the time to seek legal counsel. Call the attorneys at Valiente Mott for a free consultation; there is no obligation to hire us afterward. And since we work on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for your injuries. We look forward to hearing from you.