In a recent study, traffic accidents accounted for more than 60 percent of traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, with approximately 5 million Americans currently suffering from this medical condition.
In a recent study, traffic accidents accounted for more than 60 percent of traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, with approximately 5 million Americans currently suffering from this medical condition.
Correlation of Brain Injuries to Car Accidents
In cases of brain injuries caused by car accidents, experts identified the two types of trauma and explained the physics and medical conditions behind these.
• Direct Trauma
This happens when a person’s head hits the vehicle’s interior (steering wheel, car seat, or windshield) during a high impact collision.
In most cases involving direct trauma, tissues are damaged as the brain has a direct contact with the skull.
According to doctors, direct trauma may cause contusion, a condition in which there are “bruises” in the brain, and hemorrhage in which the brain is bleeding internally.
Usually, the damaged part is where the impact has occurred, commonly in the frontal and temporal lobes. But in rare cases, the injury may appear on the opposite side of the area where the impact has occurred, a condition called contrecoup.
• Indirect Trauma
This happens when a person’s neck moves back and forth which commonly occurs in sudden deceleration. In this situation, the brain rotates inside the skull, causing permanent damage to the nerves and tissues.
Legal Aspect Involving TBI
According to personal injury lawyers, TBI patients who have been involved in car accidents in which they have no fault can recover damages from the liable party. Their legal compensation mostly includes medical expenses.
In case the TBI results to permanent disability, car accident victims can also seek remedies that will cover their diminished or complete loss of earning capacity caused by disability.
Aside from these reliefs, TBI patients can also seek non-economic damages for “pain and suffering” they have experienced. However, most states capped the amount of “pain and suffering” damages to prevent people from seeking unjustified amount of compensation.
Meanwhile, reckless drivers are not the only liable individuals for accidents resulting to TBI. This is proven in some lawsuits in which car manufacturers have been found to install defective airbag system which has deployed too late to prevent the occupants’ head from striking the vehicle’s interior.
