Breaking Down Brain Injuries

Depending on the impact and force of an accident, various parts of the brain are susceptible to injury. The injury could affect one functional area of the brain, numerous areas, or all areas. A forceful impact to the head can cause a concussion, contusion, coup-contrecoup injury, or a diffuse axonal injury.

Concussion

There is a multitude of ways to obtain a concussion, including playing sports, getting shot, getting hit by a car, or being violently shaken. The sudden momentum and movement change create the concussion, which could damage cranial nerves and cause the blood vessels in the brain to stretch. A concussion can make a person briefly lose consciousness or become temporarily dazed. Concussions could take years to heal; some may cause permanent brain damage.

Contusion

A contusion is defined as a bruise on the brain that is usually obtained from a direct hit to the head. There are some cases when large contusions have to be surgically removed. They are typically found at the base of the front parts of the brain. They are similar to other bruises found on the body.

Coup-Contrecoup Injury

A coup-contrecoup injury is defined as the brain having two contusions on opposite ends of each other caused by a direct blow to the head. This means the force caused the brain to bruise where the impact occurred, while also causing the brain to crash against the other side of the skull, creating another contusion. Coup-contrecoup accidents can result from automobile accidents or violent events.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

A diffuse axonal injury is the tearing of nerve tissues throughout the brain. Violent shaking or car accidents can cause this. A large part of the brain is usually damaged and is responsible for causing unconsciousness and long-term coma. The tearing of the nerves interrupts the brain’s communication and chemical processes. This injury could even lead to death depending on the severity.

A single car accident can alter someone’s life forever. There are a variety of brain injuries that could occur because of someone else’s negligent driving, which could be catastrophic for the injured victim. Brain injuries are complex and could take years to heal. There are some cases where wounded victims receive permanent brain damage. Anyone suffering from brain injuries due to an accident deserves to be compensated for current and future medical expense, loss of wages, pain, and suffering, and emotional distress. If the brain injury ends up being fatal, then the liable party should be responsible for covering all funeral expenses.

At Los Angeles Injury Group, we have experienced attorneys on our team who have helped clients receive winning verdicts in the past. We understand how life-altering brain injuries can be on our clients and their loved ones, which is why we prioritize their cases until they receive compensation for their injuries. If you, or someone you love, received brain injuries caused by another person’s negligence, call 310-954-7248 to receive a free consultation. After hearing your case, we will determine how we can best assist you and inform you of your legal options.