Car accidents cause many types of injuries, but some of the most life-changing are traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when a sudden force damages the brain tissue. This can happen when the head strikes an object, when the brain is shaken inside the skull, or when something penetrates the head. Moderate to severe TBIs are debilitating injuries that can result in prolonged or permanent changes in a person’s state of consciousness, awareness, or responsiveness. Many patients will require continuing care and other assistance.
If you’re here because you or someone dear to you suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident and you need help, then you’ve come to the right place. Since 1968, Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has helped thousands of people, just like you, who’ve suffered serious injuries in a vehicle accident. We know what it takes to fight and win cases involving head injuries.
Brain injury cases are complex, and you only get one shot at fair compensation. That’s why who you choose as your lawyer matters. Our award-winning team stays at the forefront of both the evolving medical science and the legal strategies surrounding brain injuries and hold memberships in leading organizations like the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina and the South Carolina Brain Injury Leadership Council.
After an accident, let our injury lawyers explain your legal options, guide your medical treatment, and help you forge a new path forward.
How Traumatic Brain Injuries and Car Accidents Are Connected
Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries. Car crashes create powerful impacts that violently move the head and neck. When the skull stops suddenly, the brain can shift inside, striking the inside of the skull. This direct injury can cause bruising, bleeding, or tearing of nerve fibers.
In some cases, the head strikes the steering wheel, a window, or another hard surface. This can result in open head injuries or blunt TBI. Even a collision at moderate speed can cause a closed head injury. Vehicle accidents often involve forces strong enough to damage blood vessels in the brain or lead to swelling that increases pressure inside the skull.
The injury severity can range from a mild TBI, which may heal with proper care, to a severe traumatic brain injury, which can cause long-term disability or even death. The outcome depends on the type of impact, whether the injury is treated promptly, and the overall health of the injured person.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries from Car Accidents
Not all brain injuries are the same, and understanding the differences can help in diagnosis and treatment.
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (Mild TBI): Often the result of a concussion, a mild TBI can cause headaches, dizziness, and temporary confusion. Even though it may seem minor, it can still interfere with daily activities and require ongoing medical attention.
- Moderate or Severe TBI: A moderate TBI can cause longer periods of unconsciousness, memory problems, or difficulty speaking. Severe traumatic brain injuries can cause permanent brain damage, loss of independence, or brain death.
- Closed Head Injury: No break in the skull, but the brain is injured by blunt force or sudden movement.
- Blunt TBI: Common in car accidents where the head hits a hard surface without penetrating the skull.
- Penetrating TBI and Open Head Injuries: Caused by objects breaking through the skull into brain tissue, leading to direct injury and nerve damage.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury: Widespread tearing of nerve fibers due to rapid rotation of the brain inside the skull.
- Skull Fractures: Breaks in the skull that may press bone into the brain and damage blood vessels or brain cells.
- Cerebral Hypoxia: A condition where the brain doesn’t receive adequate oxygen or when the blood flow is insufficient. This can result in brain damage and death.
Each type carries its own risks, and many require immediate medical attention to prevent worsening symptoms.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) After a Car Crash
Recognizing symptoms early is essential to protect brain function and prevent long-term damage. Some signs appear right after the crash, while others may take hours or days to show.
Physical Symptoms
- Severe headaches or persistent head pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Slurred speech or trouble forming words
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks
- Weakness or numbness in limbs
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Changes in eating or nursing habits in infants
- Seizures or convulsions
Cognitive and Behavioral Changes
- Confusion or disorientation
- Memory problems
- Other unusual behaviors, such as aggression or withdrawal
- Sensitivity to light or noise
Severe Warning Signs
- Loss of consciousness
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
- Unequal pupil size
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Rapidly worsening symptoms
