What Causes Brain Injuries?

Motor vehicle collisions cause most of the brain injuries in California. As outlined below, car crashes combine all three underlying causes of traumatic brain injuries. These injuries are very difficult to diagnose, a fact that the story of Allman Brothers bass player Berry Oakley sadly illustrates. In 1972, Oakley was in a motorcycle crash in Georgia. He refused medical treatment at the scene because he “felt fine.” Less than a week later, an undiagnosed head injury killed him.

Oakley’s story teaches us that car crash victims should always see doctors. Only a doctor can properly evaluate a victim’s medical condition. Likewise, all car crash victims should see an Oceanside personal injury lawyer, even if an insurance investigator or police officer said you were at fault for the crash. Only an attorney can evaluate your case and determine how much compensation you may be entitled to.

Trauma

Almost all vehicle collision victims hit their heads on solid objects. That solid object could be something “soft,” like an airbag. But in a high-speed crash, hitting one’s head on an airbag is like placing a pillow on the forehead and running into a brick wall at 60mph.

The trauma may not be sufficient to cause an sTBI, but it’s usually more than enough to cause an mTBI (moderate traumatic brain injury), or a concussion.

Individually, concussions usually aren’t life threatening. But the cumulative effect of repeated concussions causes CTE, a degenerative brain disease that’s usually fatal, frequently because the victim commits suicide.

If a pre-existing condition, such as a prior concussion, contributes to a serious injury, such as CTE, an Oceanside personal injury lawyer can usually obtain compensation for the more serious injury. Such vulnerable victims need and deserve more legal protection, not less.

The compensation in a brain injury or other personal injury case usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Excessive Motion

Before we discuss motion-related sTBIs (severe traumatic brain injuries), a bit of background may be necessary.

Many people assume that the brain fits snugly inside the skull, much like a head fits into a football helmet. But that’s not true. The brain is about as big as an oversized coffee mug. So, during a crash, the unprotected brain slams violently and repeatedly against the thick skull.

The repeated, brutal impacts usually cause brain bleeding and swelling. Expert surgeons can stop the bleeding and swelling. But the injuries themselves are permanent. Dead brain cells don’t regenerate.

At best, a brain injury physical therapist can painstakingly teach uninjured parts of the brain to assume lost functions. Even if this therapy is successful, the effects of that brain injury forever impair daily activities.

Sudden Loud Noises

Many eyewitnesses state that vehicle collisions sound like explosions. These sudden loud noises create shock waves that disrupt normal brain functions.

So, a car crash could cause a brain injury even if the victim has no other serious physical injuries. These victims usually include back seat occupants who sustained only bumps and bruises, as well as nearby pedestrians and other bystanders.

As mentioned, if you were in a car crash, always see a doctor. Additionally, if you were near a car crash, an Oceanside personal injury lawyer should at least evaluate your situation.

Rely on a Dedicated San Diego County Lawyer

Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Oceanside, contact the Pursley Law Firm. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we start working for you.

Source:

liveforlivemusic.com/features/berry-oakley-rip/