How Car Accidents Can Cause TBIs

A brain injury is one of the scariest outcomes following a car crash. These are some of the most devastating injuries one can experience. When a car accident occurs, motorists and passengers can suffer a blow to the head. This sudden impact may result in a TBI, which can have effects ranging from a concussion to a coma. Known as the “silent injury,” TBIs are often difficult to identify because they sometimes don’t have symptoms right away.

About 4.5 million people were seriously injured in car accidents in 2018, according to the National Safety Council. Car accidents are the No. 2 leading cause of TBI (17.3%) after falls (35.2%) and are responsible for the largest percentage of TBI-related fatalities (31.8%), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you’ve suffered a TBI from a car accident that was no fault of your own, the experienced New York City car accident lawyers of Finz & Finz, P.C. on Long Island are ready to help. We will put our skills and resources to use as we fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, call (855) TOP-FIRM now.

What types of car accidents result in TBIs?

A variety of types of car accidents can lead to TBIs, including head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, head-on collisions, and side-impact crashes. During a car accident, drivers and passengers are subjected to sudden violent movements. Their head may make contact with immobile surfaces, including the dashboard and steering wheel, or free-flying objects.

In a rear-end accident, the driver in the vehicle that is rear-ended may experience whiplash, which is when the head is abruptly thrown backward and then forward. When this happens, the brain strikes the skull which can result in TBI symptoms.

In a head-on collision, the vehicle to stops abruptly, and the occupants in the vehicle continue to move forward at the same speed. The passengers are thrown forward, making them strike the dashboard and windshield. This forces the brain against the skull.

In a side-impact crash, the occupant’s head is thrown in the direction of the collision. For example, if the vehicle is struck on the driver’s side, the driver’s head will be thrown to the left, forcing the brain to strike the right side of the skull.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

The types of TBIs caused by car accidents include:

• Concussion. A concussion can be the result of the driver’s or passenger’s head striking the dashboard, steering wheel, or door during a car crash. Depending on the seriousness of the injury, concussions may cause a loss of consciousness, bleeding of the brain, and nerve damage.
• Diffuse axonal injury. A diffuse axonal injury happens when the nerve cells are sheared and stretched. It happens when the brain moves backward and forward inside the skull, damaging the nerve axons. Widespread axonal injury disrupts the brain’s transmission of information and can result in major changes in an individual’s wakefulness.
• Coup-Contrecoup: This happens when an impact to the head causes the brain to strike the opposite side of the site of impact, causing damage to both the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain.
• Contusion. A contusion is caused when the head is impacted, resulting in severe bruising or bleeding of the brain. A contusion is essentially a bruise to the brain tissue. Severe contusions might require surgery.
• Penetrating injury. Sometimes referred to as an open head wound, a penetrating injury happens when glass and other objects in the vehicle penetrate the skull during a crash. Penetrating injuries can impair communication skills and motor function.

Symptoms of TBI

Common symptoms of a mild TBI after a car accident include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Balance problems
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Loss of memory
• Loss of concentration
• Blurred vision
• Depression
• Anxiety

More severe TBIs may be evident by any of the following symptoms:

• Convulsions
• Severe headaches that don’t go away
• Behavioral changes
• Different pupil sizes
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty speaking
• Blood coming out of the nose
• Numbness in one half of the body
• Prolonged loss of consciousness
• Loss of short-term memory
• Vomiting

What You Should Do After a Car Accident

If you have been in a car crash and are experiencing pain, you should see a doctor. No matter how minor you think your injuries may be, there is a chance it could be more serious than you think. TBIs are often slow to show symptoms.

After the car cash, track your health symptoms and keep a pain journal where you note your day-to-day condition. This could show a recurring pattern of symptoms. If you notice a difference in how you feel compared to before the accident, seek medical treatment.

Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer

The experienced car accident attorneys on Long Island at Finz & Finz, P.C. understand the impact that TBI has on the lives of victims. If another driver’s negligence caused you to suffer a TBI, we want to help you pursue the compensation that you need and deserve. At Finz & Finz, P.C., our New York City personal injury attorneys work with medical experts to fully understand the extent of your injuries. We are proud to have recovered millions in financial compensation for car accident victims throughout New York.

If you or someone you love has suffered a TBI in a car accident, you can rely on our dedicated New York brain injury attorneys to build a strong case for the compensation you deserve. Call now at (855) TOP-FIRM to set up a free and confidential consultation.