The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) hospitalizations was car accidents in a recent year. TBIs are also one of the most common injuries suffered in car accidents.
The healing process for a TBI can be long-lasting, expensive, and straining. That’s why Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas are here to help you handle your brain injury case while you heal.
Can a Car Accident Cause a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Car accidents often cause brain injuries. TBIs can easily be caused when you hit your head on something during a car accident. However, they can also be caused by a jerking motion causing your brain to hit against your skull. In severe cases, an object penetrating the head can injure the brain. Any number of injuries to the head can occur during a car accident, and they can cause internal bleeding, swelling, and bruising.
Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics
The CDC reports recent years show motor vehicle accidents cause about 25 percent of all TBI hospitalizations. They also state there are over 610 hospitalizations and 166 deaths due to TBIs each year.
Moderate to severe TBIs are the primary cause of death and disability from injuries in the U.S. About 80 percent of TBIs are considered mild head injuries, though.
What Types of Brain Injuries Are Common in Car Accidents?
Brain injuries will range from mild to severe, but none of them should be taken lightly.
Some common brain injuries from car accidents include the following:
- Mild – A mild concussion usually comes with only a short period of lost or altered consciousness. You may feel dazed and confused for some time after.
- Moderate – Moderate brain injuries typically have more physical and cognitive symptoms, and loss of consciousness may last longer. Symptoms can last for months.
- Severe – A severe brain injury may leave you with permanent effects. Loss of consciousness can be for days or even weeks.
- Penetrating – A penetrating brain injury involves an object going through the skull and injuring the brain.
- Non-penetrating – Non-penetrating brain injuries typically include a hard hit to the head.
If you were in a car accident, it’s important to watch for symptoms of a TBI.
Common symptoms of a brain injury from a car accident are:
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Light or sound sensitivity
- Memory loss
- Mood changes
What Is the Average Settlement for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
You likely have medical bills, lost wages, and a long road to healing ahead if you suffered a brain injury from a car accident. If someone was at fault for the accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. Every case is different, so settlement amounts can vary greatly for each victim. This makes it difficult to provide an accurate average settlement for a brain injury after a car accident.
However, an experienced brain injury lawyer can review your case and quantify your losses. They can then argue your case to the insurance companies and even take it to court if needed to pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Contact the Brain Injury Lawyers in St. Petersburg, Florida
If you have a brain injury from a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to pursue compensation for your losses. Our experienced car accident attorneys are ready to help you pursue a settlement or lawsuit for your brain injury from a car accident. Call or contact Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas online for a free case review today.
