Common Types of TBIs Sustained in Car Accidents

A car crash can result in many different types of injuries. The most severe of these are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The most obvious cause of a TBI is when an accident victim’s head hits the steering wheel, dashboard, or other objects inside the vehicle. However, a person can suffer a TBI even if they do not hit their head during the accident. Below, our San Antonio car accident lawyer outlines the most common types of TBIs sustained in car crashes.

Concussions

Concussions are the most common type of TBI sustained during car accidents. A concussion occurs when the brain bounces and hits the skull. Blows to the head are the most common cause of concussions in car accident claims but they can also be caused by sudden braking or other movements that cause the brain to jolt.

Common symptoms of concussions include headaches, mild nausea, blurred vision, and dizziness. The majority of people recover from concussions within one or two months. When the symptoms last longer than six weeks, people suffer from post-concussive syndrome.

Contusions

Cerebral contusions refer to bruised brain tissue. A cerebral contusion occurs when a person hits their head hard enough that the resulting injury is more serious than a concussion. A cerebral contusion (brain bruise) can occur in a car accident even without direct head impact, as the force of the collision can cause the brain to violently move, rotate, and bounce within the skull, resulting in bruising and axonal shearing. There are different types of contusions and they are as follows:

• Coup: This injury occurs directly under the area that was struck.
• Contrecoup: A contrecoup injury occurs at the opposite side of the skull that was hit.
• Coup-contrecoup: This actually refers to two different injuries. The first occurs at the site of impact and the second develops on the opposite side of impact.

The most severe of the above are coup-contrecoup injuries, as they affect the cerebellum at the back of the head and the frontal cortex, which is directly behind the forehead. While the cerebellum controls balance and movement, the frontal cortex handles advanced functions such as reasoning and judgment.

Additionally, contusions can be so forceful that they break or tear blood vessels in the brain.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

Diffuse axonal injuries significantly impact cognitive function. Damage occurs when the nerve fibers in the brain are torn or sheared due to twisting forces, such as car accidents. This type of injury can result in an inability to communicate, concentrate, and reason. Confusion, dizziness, and speech issues are common symptoms of this type of injury.

Penetrating Injuries 

During a car crash, loose objects can pierce the skull and penetrate the brain. In addition to cranial damage and bleeding, the brain can become crushed or torn due to a penetrating injury. These injuries are often fatal for car accident victims.

Our Car Accident Attorney in San Antonio Can Help After Injury

Traumatic brain injuries are some of the most severe you could endure after a crash. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio car accident attorney can advise you of your legal options and help you through the process so it is as easy as possible for you. Call us now at 210-LAW-9999 or fill out our online form to request a consultation with our experienced attorney.

Source:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534786/#:~:text=Postconcussive syndrome (PCS) describes the,and/or emotional in nature