Statistically, there are about 6 million recorded traffic collisions in the United States each year. Millions of these victims sustain life-changing injuries that necessitate ongoing medical treatments and costly rehabilitative services.
The most debilitating injuries tend to occur when the brain is damaged due to oxygen deprivation or physical trauma. The resulting damage can lead to lasting psychological problems – including depression and PTSD – and various cognitive disabilities. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can also keep an accident survivor from holding gainful employment, preventing them from maintaining their prior standard of living. The only way these victims can afford their existing and projected injury-related debts is to file a personal injury lawsuit and pursue compensatory damages.
A victim can sustain the following brain injuries in a traffic collision:
- Concussion – You can sustain a concussion when a sudden impact or change in momentum causes your brain to forcefully hit the interior of your skull.
- Diffuse Axonal – This traumatic brain injury is caused when a person’s head is rapidly and involuntarily jostled, resulting in contusions and lesions scattered across the brain. Most victims fall into comas and wake up with severe cognitive disabilities and impairments.
- Contusion - A cerebral contusion is a minor or major bruise that can lead to brain damage and cardiovascular risks. A patient may need to undergo surgery to reduce the dangerous swelling.
- Coup-Contrecoup – A coup injury is a cerebral contusion that is located at the site of impact. A contrecoup occurs on the opposite side of the brain.
- Penetration – as the term implies, this is an injury that occurs when a foreign object penetrates the brain.
Whether it’s a rear-end bump or a four-car pileup, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately after a collision. Some car accident injuries – particularly brain injuries – aren’t easily discernable to the untrained eye. In fact, a layman can easily confuse the symptoms of a concussion with whiplash. Only a trained medical professional has the experience and resources to properly examine your injuries, prescribe treatments, and schedule life-saving surgeries. Plus, your medical record is key evidence in your personal injury case. Depending on your individual circumstances, your brain injury may warrant compensatory damages that account for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lifestyle changes.
The common signs of a major or minor brain injury include:
- Headaches
- Personality and behavioral changes
- Unconsciousness
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Extreme exhaustion
- Slowed thinking or response times
- Light or sound sensitivity
- Trouble balancing
- Numbness in your extremities
- Memory loss
- Depression and anxiety
Injured in a Car Accident? Schedule a Free Consultation Today
If you’ve been injured by the actions of a negligent driver, contact the Charleston car accident lawyers at Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC. Our legal team has the skills and resources to effectively manage each detail of your case, giving you the time and ability to recover in peace. By listening to your story and investigating your case, we can devise a strong litigation strategy that achieves your legal objectives and provides for your ongoing financial needs. Our attorneys can also negotiate or litigate insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring that you secure a beneficial settlement or verdict.
Call Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC at (843) 968-0886 to schedule a consultation. We represent clients in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.