One common type of injury sustained after a car accident is a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries can take a significant toll on the victim’s daily life and ability to go to work each day and maintain important relationships in their lives. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have severe physical, financial and emotional impacts, which is why victims should understand which legal resources may help them.
The consequences of a traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injuries can occur when a car accident victim’s head is violently thrust against the steering wheel, dashboard, head rest or another part of the interior of the vehicle. The victim can sustain a closed or open head injury, which can occur under different circumstances due to a bump, blow or jolt to the head or if the victim has suffered head trauma. The full extent of a TBI may not be immediately obvious at the scene of the accident.
Traumatic brain injuries can result in significant injury and even death. In 2019, there were approximately 223,135 TBI-related hospitalizations; 64,362 TBI-related deaths occurred in 2020. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries, but they can also result from a slip and fall incident or a nursing home fall where a victim strikes their head on the ground.
Negligent drivers who cause car accidents can dramatically impact the lives of victims and their families. As victims and their families struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives following an unexpected car accident and a TBI, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help victims to receive compensation and hold the negligent driver responsible.