Car wrecks are a leading cause of catastrophic injuries. People can damage their spinal cords and break bones during crashes. They can also potentially injure their brains. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can cause devastating symptoms that may limit a person’s capabilities for the rest of their life.
Motor vehicle collisions are among the top causes of brain injuries in the United States. How do so many people injure their brains in a collision?
Through blunt force trauma
Many car crash brain injuries are the result of a person hitting their head. Contact with the steering column or a window can cause inflammation and bleeding in the skull.
Through violent motions
The way that a vehicle moves in a crash can cause the skull to shake around inside the skull. Especially in collisions where a vehicle rolls over, people could develop injuries because of those violent motions.
Through penetrating wounds
The debris and shrapnel flying around during a crash can cause serious injuries. Small pieces of glass and metal can potentially cut through the skull, causing brain injuries. What looks like a small injury on the outside could cause significant internal damage.
People with brain injuries often require medical care to prevent their injuries from worsening. They may also need financial compensation to cover their medical costs and lost wages. Receiving appropriate medical care after a car crash is critical for those with catastrophic injuries. Those with brain injuries caused by collisions may be able to seek compensation through insurance or even a lawsuit brought against the driver at fault for the wreck at issue.