Common Types of Brain Injuries from Car Accidents

by Staff Blogger | March 27th, 2023

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) deaths in adults between 20 and 24 and are the third leading cause of TBIs nationwide. While TBIs can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, they are all serious medical conditions that require prompt diagnosis and treatment. 

You may be entitled to financial compensation if diagnosed with a TBI after a car accident. An experienced California car accident lawyer from Berg Injury Lawyers can help you recover damages. 

How Brain Injuries are Diagnosed

Accurately diagnosing a brain injury is critical for ensuring you receive the proper treatment and care. A comprehensive evaluation is necessary to determine the type and severity of the injury and develop a treatment plan.

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and review your medical history to assess the presence of a brain injury. They may also conduct diagnostic tests, including:

  • CT scan: A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed brain images to identify any signs of injury.
  • MRI: An MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain, allowing the doctor to see any damage.
  • Neuropsychological Testing: This testing evaluates cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
  • EEG: An EEG records the brain’s electrical activity to assess its functioning and identify the presence of an injury.

Treatments Available for Traumatic Brain Injuries

The goal of treatment for a traumatic brain injury is to help you regain as much function as possible and minimize the injury’s long-term effects.

  • Physical Therapy: Physical therapy helps you regain strength and coordination and improves balance and mobility.
  • Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy helps you relearn daily activities, such as dressing, eating, and grooming.
  • Speech and Language Therapy: Speech and language therapy improves communication skills and helps you overcome speech and language difficulties.
  • Cognitive Therapy: Cognitive therapy improves your memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
  • Medications: Pain relievers, anticonvulsants, or antidepressants, manage your symptoms and promote healing.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury does not describe just one injury but is a category that encompasses several types of damage. The kind of brain injury can determine the symptoms and the prognosis for recovery.

  • Concussion. Concussions occur when the brain experiences a sudden, jarring impact and can cause headaches, blurred vision, nausea, and ringing in the ears. Long-term post-concussive symptoms occur in approximately 10-15% of patients, including memory problems and intense sensitivity to light and sound.
  • Skull fracture. A skull fracture is a break in one or more bones. Symptoms include disorientation, clear fluid running from the nose and ears, cranial swelling, and bruising around the eyes. Around 33% of people who sustain a severe head injury like a skull fracture do not survive, while 25% sustain some form of permanent disability.
  • Brain contusion. Brain contusions can occur when the head experiences a direct impact from a collision or is violently jerked forward, backward, or to the side. The force of the impact can cause the brain to collide with the skull, leading to bruising and swelling.
  • Hematoma. Hematomas, or collections of blood outside of blood vessels, often result from car accidents. Around 16 million subdural hematomas occur annually due to road crashes, with 1.25 million being severe. They can happen in the head, neck, or chest due to blunt force trauma from the impact of the collision. Hematomas pressure surrounding tissue, disrupt normal brain function and cause brain damage or death.
  • Diffuse Axonal Injuries (DAI). DAI occurs when the head experiences a rapid acceleration or deceleration force, such as in a high-speed collision. This force causes the brain’s axons (nerve fibers) to stretch and tear, leading to widespread brain damage. In severe cases, DAI can cause loss of consciousness, coma, or persistent vegetative state. Around 10% of people admitted to the hospital with a TBI suffer from a DAI, 25% of which result in death.

Available Resources for TBI Victims

For accident victims suffering from the effects of a TBI, receiving support and rehabilitative services can help them rebuild their lives after an accident. The following organizations provide resources to those suffering from TBIs:

Contact Berg Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If you have recently suffered a head injury in a car crash, now is the time to reach out to a qualified car accident attorney. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we understand how serious injuries can affect your quality of life, finances, and relationships with loved ones.

We can help you get compensation for your TBI treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering by gathering evidence to build your case, negotiating with the insurance company, or going to court.  

Don’t struggle with physical pain and medical bills alone; contact our legal team to schedule a free consultation. Our team will support you every step of the way.