Roughly 2 million people every year are injured in car accidents across the United States, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, vehicle accidents have the potential to cause brain injuries, one of the most serious types of injury. This can result from the head of a collision victim hitting part of the car or the pavement, or even from extreme, repeated movement of the head, even if it does not come into contact with any other object.
The type of brain injury called traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause long-term impairment in thinking or mobility. In extreme cases, it can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia, inability to move the extremities.
The type of brain injuries that can result from car accidents are:
- Concussion: Concussions result from a head being struck or being in rapid momentum or back and forth movement.
- Contusion: “Contusion” means bruise. A bruise on the brain is possible in a car accident, and may require surgery. There is a type of contusion called Coup-Contrecoup, which means that bruises have occurred on both sides of the brain.
- Diffuse Axonal: If a patient’s head rotates violently, it can cause tears in the brain. Concussions are a mild form of this type of injury.
- Penetration: If an object penetrates the head and goes into the brain, it can cause major trauma and even death.
Symptoms of Brain Injuries
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you should be alert to the signs of brain injury. These symptoms can be extremely variable, and many symptoms can be associated with other types of injuries. If you think you see these symptoms, it’s wise to consult a physician to be on the safe side.
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Becoming unconscious after the accident
- Nausea
- Dilated or uneven pupils
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Slower thinking or response times
- Confusion
- Difficult thinking or concentrating
- Difficulty in maintaining balance or coordination
- Exhaustion or fatigue
- Difficulty being alert
- Emotional volatility or withdrawal
- Seizures
- Numbness in extremities
Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in New York
If you or a loved one has been injured or died in a car accident, you may be facing both emotional and financial hardship. Accidents and injuries can be traumatic. They can require medical treatment, which can be expensive and result in being unable to work for periods of time.
If you believe the car accident was the result of negligence from another party, the most prudent thing to do is talk to a seasoned car accident attorney. Initial consultations are always free. Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green are experienced car accident lawyers in New York City. Please call us today at (212) 307-5800 to discuss your case.
Additional Resources:
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traumatic brain injury and concussion. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html.
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs. Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety/index.html.
