If you have been in a car crash, there is a good chance that you may have suffered a traumatic brain injury. These injuries can be very serious and often require extensive medical treatment. If the injuries were a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover damages.
Common traumatic brain injuries that may occur after a car accident
One of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries is a concussion. Concussions occur when the head suffers a sudden and violent blow. This can happen if you hit your head on the steering wheel, dashboard or window. Even if you are wearing a seatbelt, the force of the impact can cause a concussion.
You can also experience a brain injury if your head is thrown forward or backward in a sudden stop. This type of injury is known as whiplash and can cause neck pain, headaches and dizziness.
Another common type of brain injury is a contusion. This occurs when the head hits an object with such force that it causes bruising of the brain tissue.
Lastly, you may suffer from a coup-contrecoup injury. This happens when the brain collides with the skull on impact and then bounces back and hits the other side of the skull.
What should you do if you think you have a brain injury?
If you think that you may have suffered a brain injury, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Brain injuries can be very serious and even life-threatening. A doctor will be able to perform tests to determine the extent of your injuries and whether or not you need to get hospitalized.
After that, you should explore your legal options. If the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Being in a car accident is a traumatic experience. If you have been in a car accident, it is important to be aware of the possibility of suffering a brain injury, and also consider the fact that these injuries aren’t always immediately apparent.