Even a minor accident has the potential to cause severe injuries, but trauma to the brain or skull can be particularly catastrophic. Injuries to the head are more common than you might think; in fact, car accidents cause at least 14 percent of all brain injuries in the United States, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains. Victims often consult a personal-injury lawyer to help them recover medical expenses and lost income.
Car wrecks can cause an array of brain injuries. If you suffer severe headaches, disorientation, confusion or other symptoms of brain trauma after an accident, then you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Treating brain injuries is particularly expensive, often requiring several surgeries and months of rehabilitation. If a negligent driver caused your brain injury, then he or she may be liable for your medical expenses and other damages. Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC can assess your situation to establish whether you have valid grounds for a lawsuit. Call to schedule a consultation with a New York City accident attorney. Until then, read on to learn four brain injuries that are common in car accidents:
- Concussion
Concussions are among the most common car accident injuries. Even a minor blow to the head can cause symptoms. You do not need an open wound to suffer a concussion. This injury occurs when blood vessels inside the brain stretch so far that they cause damage to other nerves. A huge portion of society does not consider concussions to be a serious matter, but science proves otherwise. These injuries can cause lasting damage without medical treatment, especially if you notice prolonged disorientation or dizziness. It is imperative that you visit a doctor if you notice any symptoms of this injury.
- Contusion
Contusions can have dire repercussions, especially if left untreated. A hard knock on the head can cause a contusion that may require surgery. This injury is a common consequence of car accidents. Victims can hit their heads hard on the windshield, side window or steering wheel. If the contusion is severe enough to warrant surgery, then the surgeon will remove it and check for underlying brain damage.
- Diffuse Axonal
A diffuse axonal injury can tear blood vessels and nerves in the brain, as well as muscles in the neck. These injuries typically occur because of a sudden and powerful head rotation. This is a particularly common injury in car collisions because many accidents cause the vehicle to stop suddenly, such as driving into the back of a truck when its driver brakes suddenly.
- Projectile Penetration
If an object penetrates your skull during the crash, then you may have a debilitating head injury. Violent crime is responsible for most cases of projectile penetration, but car accidents can also cause these injuries. If a glass shard, metal object or other projectile enters your skull, then surgery is immediately necessary to remove it and stop bleeding within the brain. If you are facing mounting medical bills, an inability to work, a physical disability or any other consequence of a brain injury from a car accident, then you may be entitled to compensation. A personal-injury lawyer can help you pursue damages from the at-fault party. Call Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC at for extensive legal advice about your specific circumstances.
