A high-speed crash. A sudden and unexpected jolt. A simple rear-end impact. Any of these events can cause serious brain trauma, even if your head doesn’t directly hit anything.
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations. This is especially true among people aged 15 to 34.
If you’re reading this because you, or someone close to you, suffered a TBI from a car accident, you’re not alone. And you’re right to look into what kind of brain injuries might be at play.
This article explains the types of TBIs that car crashes often cause, what symptoms to watch for, and how you may be able to pursue TBI compensation. You’ll also find practical info on what to do next.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when the brain is jolted or struck in a way that interferes with normal function. Car accidents are a common cause of TBI. In Georgia, the Department of Public Health reported nearly 30,000 emergency room visits for TBIs in a recent year. Many of those injuries were from car accidents.
TBI symptoms don’t always show up right away. That’s why it’s important to know the risks and act quickly after a crash. Also, brain injuries range in severity. Some people recover within weeks. Others face a permanent disability with a lifetime of problems.
Types of Brain Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Here are the most common types of brain injuries caused by car accidents:
1. Concussion
This is the most frequently diagnosed brain injury. It happens when a forceful blow or rapid motion, like whiplash, causes the brain to shift inside the skull. You don’t have to hit your head to get a concussion.
Symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Memory issues
- Sensitivity to light or sound
Concussions are often labeled as mild TBIs, but repeated injuries or severe cases can lead to long-term problems.
2. Contusion (Brain Bruise)
A contusion is a bruise on the brain, usually caused by a direct impact during a crash. This might happen if your head strikes the steering wheel or side window. In more serious cases, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure off of the brain or to remove a blood clot.
Symptoms include:
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Numbness or tingling
3. Coup-Contrecoup Injury
This type of injury happens when the force of a crash causes the brain to hit one side of the skull, then rebound and hit the opposite side. Your brain is basically like a ping pong ball inside the skull. It’s like getting two injuries in one event. These are common injuries seen in high-speed crashes and can affect multiple brain areas.
Symptoms vary but may include problems with thinking, movement, or mood, depending on the areas of the brain involved.
4. Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
DAIs are among the most severe TBIs. They happen when the brain moves rapidly back and forth inside the skull, tearing the fibers that allow brain cells to communicate. This injury is often caused by rotational forces or sudden deceleration, such as in rollover or T-bone accidents.
Symptoms include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Limited brain activity
- Permanent brain damage
DAIs can be difficult to detect with scans and are sometimes not diagnosed until neurological signs appear.
5. Penetrating Brain Injury
This happens when an object, like metal or glass, pierces the skull. These are some of the most dangerous injuries and often require immediate surgery. Penetrating TBIs can result in severe disability or death.
Long-Term Impact of TBIs From Car Accidents
The long-term effects of a TBI can depend on how severe the injury is and where in the brain it occurred. Many people experience permanent changes that affect their ability to work or function independently.
Some long-term effects may include:
- Chronic headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Emotional changes
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Seizures
- Sensory processing issues
What TBI Compensation Covers
The CDC reports that over 5 million people in the U.S. live with a long-term disability caused by a TBI. If you or a loved one are facing this, you know it affects every part of life.
If your traumatic brain injury was caused by someone else’s negligence in a car crash, you have the right to pursue financial compensation through a personal injury claim. A TBI can affect every part of your life. Your compensation should reflect the full scope of that impact, not just your hospital bills.
Here’s a detailed look at what TBI compensation may include:
1. Emergency and Ongoing Medical Treatment
This includes ambulance transport, ER care, hospitalization, imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs, and consultations with neurologists. It also covers follow-up appointments, prescriptions, in-home nursing care, and any future medical costs you may have.
2. Rehabilitation and Therapy
Many people with TBIs need long-term rehabilitation such as:
- Physical therapy for movement and strength
- Occupational therapy for daily tasks
- Speech and language therapy
- Mental health counseling for emotional or behavioral issues
These services can last for months or even years.
3. Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
You may miss time from work during recovery. Some TBI victims are unable to return to their previous job or cannot work at all. Compensation can include current lost wages as well as future income that you are no longer able to earn.
4. Pain and Suffering
TBIs can cause chronic headaches, memory problems, anxiety, depression, and mood swings. These effects are harder to quantify but are just as real. Pain and suffering compensation covers the physical and emotional toll the injury takes on your life.
5. Home and Vehicle Modifications
If your brain injury results in limited mobility or independence, you may need to adapt your surroundings. Compensation can cover changes such as wheelchair ramps, wider doorways, grab bars in bathrooms, or customized driving controls in your car.
6. Loss of Independence or Life Enjoyment
Some injuries prevent you from doing activities you once enjoyed or taking care of yourself. This includes hobbies, sports, or time with family. Georgia law allows you to seek compensation for this kind of reduced quality of life.
7. Caregiver Expenses
If you need help from a spouse, parent, or professional caregiver, those services can be part of your claim. This might include help with transportation, personal hygiene, meals, or managing medication.
Talk to Dan Chapman & Associates About Your Legal Options
A TBI from a car accident can change your life in seconds. You deserve answers and a clear path forward. The experienced legal team at Dan Chapman & Associates can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries.
We have worked with some of the top neurologists in Georgia to help our clients prove the damages from a brain injury. We’ve also helped clients across Georgia recover the compensation they need to move forward with life after a brain injury. You can speak with us for free. You won’t owe anything, unless we take your case and we win your case.
