Car accidents are terrifying to go through and can lead to severe injuries. One of the most devastating results of a serious car accident is injuries of the brain. Even worse, brain injuries are not always apparent right after the collision, creating a dangerous situation for the accident victim if they don’t immediately seek medical attention.
People who think they feel fine after an accident may not realize they have a far more serious underlying issue, so they may fail to recognize the possible signs of a hazardous injury. Even something as common as a mild headache can be a sign of a more troubling issue.
Anyone who has been involved in a car accident should always seek medical care to be certain their injuries were not more severe than they initially presumed. If your medical providers do find that you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, it’s important to reach out to an experienced car accident attorney who can help you recover compensation for the treatment you will need.
What Kind of Brain Injuries Can Car Accidents Cause?
There are different brain injuries that can happen after you’ve been in an auto accident, and all are traumatic and can lead to additional health problems if left untreated. Brain injuries include:
Concussion
A concussion occurs when the brain receives trauma from the impact of an accident, including sudden momentum or movement change.
Contusion
A contusion is the medical term for a bruise resulting from a direct blow or an impact. Most commonly associated with sports injuries, a brain contusion is far more serious than a bruise on your skin and could require surgical removal.
Coup-Contrecoup
Contrecoup injuries usually happen when the moving head strikes a stationary object. This can result in contusions on both sides of the brain, including from the site of impact and on the opposite side as well.
Diffuse Axonal
This is an injury where a sharp rotation of the head causes brain structures to tear. Diffuse axonal injuries are a form of traumatic brain injury that happens when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull as an injury is occurring.
Penetration
A penetrating brain injury is extremely dangerous, resulting from an object entering the skull and harming the brain, whether it’s a small or large part of the brain.
What are the Early Symptoms of a Car Accident Brain Injury?
Sometimes the symptoms of a brain injury can initially seem mild, even trivial, like a slight headache. But even something that common can indicate a far more serious underlying problem.
Among the most common symptoms of a brain injury caused by an auto accident are:
- Slower response times
- Difficulty balancing yourself
- Exhaustion
- Numbness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Heightened sensitivity to light or sound
- Lack of alertness
- Confusion
- Ringing in your ears
- Slurred speech
If you’ve been in a car accident and are now experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to get evaluated by a medical professional immediately. However, even if you’re not experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s still vital to get a medical checkup right after an accident. If your physician discovers you’ve suffered a brain injury, early treatment can make a difference, since untreated symptoms can lead to the possibility of additional health problems and even permanent damage to your brain.
What Kind of Accidents Lead to Brain Injuries?
A car accident can cause a driver to endure sudden violent movements. Their head can come into contact with something in the vehicle, or a free-flying object caused by the crash. For example, a rear-end collision can cause the driver’s head to be abruptly thrown backward and then forward due to the force of impact. This can result in mild symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, and in neck and back pain.
A front end collision makes the vehicle abruptly stop, although the driver and passengers continue moving forward at the same rate of speed they were traveling before the crash. They can end up being thrown forward and striking the windshield, steering wheel, or dashboard, or the front of the vehicle can get crushed against them. The brain and face can both be subjected to serious injury.
If you’ve been in a car accident, you’re likely looking at very high medical bills, the loss of wages from time out of work, and pain and suffering. Don’t face this situation alone. Contact an experienced car accident attorney who can fight for full compensation for your injuries.
Experienced Louisiana Car Accident Lawyers Near You
One of the most important things you can do right after you’ve been in a car accident is to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Your attorney will become your trusted partner and advocate, who will work to ensure you have the evidence needed for your insurance claim and that the insurance company doesn’t try to limit how much you receive.
In Louisiana, attorneys with E. Orum Young Law have decades of experience negotiating with insurers to reach fair settlements for their clients. E. Orum Young Law strives to handle all the complex legwork necessary to pursue a successful claim so you can focus on healing. We have more than 35 years of experience protecting Louisiana drivers and are ready to fight for you.
Call (318) 303-4194 or complete our contact form for a free case evaluation. Our Trial Guarantee ensures that we will take your case to trial if you are ever dissatisfied with the initial outcome.