Diagnosing and Treating Car Crash-Related Head Injuries
Vehicle collisions are the leading cause of head injuries. These injuries, which are often fatal, affect about 2.5 million Americans every year. Only a small percentage of these victims receive immediate treatment at local hospitals. Instead, as outlined below, these victims often have more advanced head injuries by the time they receive proper treatment.
Head injuries are always permanent. Unlike bone cells and other cells, once brain cells die, they never regenerate.
Because of the serious nature of these injuries, a Tampa head & spinal injury attorney might be able to obtain substantial compensation for victims. This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Additional punitive damages might be available as well, in some extreme cases.
The Link Between Car Wrecks and Head Injuries
Vehicle collisions are the leading cause of head injuries because these incidents combine all three independent causes of traumatic brain injuries, which are:
- Motion: The brain does not fit snugly inside the skull, like a head inside a helmet. Because of the empty space between brain and skull, sudden motion causes the brain to slam violently against bone.
- Trauma: Even the most advanced restraint systems, like seat belts and airbags, can only contain so much force. As a result, in high-speed wrecks, victims still hit their heads against solid surfaces.
- Noise: Many witnesses say that car crashes sound like explosions. These sudden loud noises trigger shockwaves which permanently disrupt brain functions, much like an electromagnetic pulse disrupts electrical devices.
Furthermore, the brain is very adept at concealing its own injuries. That is why many concussed athletes tell their coaches they “feel fine” and ask to go back in the game. Unfortunately, doctors often misdiagnose collision-related head injuries as shock from the accident. That’s especially true since many of these victims do not suffer signature symptoms, such as unconsciousness and vomiting.
To overcome these misdiagnosis issues, attorneys connect victims who know how to diagnose collision-related head injuries, such as whiplash.
Treatment Issues
As mentioned, traumatic brain injuries are permanent. However, a combination of surgery and therapy often alleviates the symptoms. There is a direct link between the length of brain injury physical therapy and the success of this therapy. But extended physical therapy is quite expensive.
Once again, an attorney plays an important role. At the outset of most claims, attorneys send letters of protection to medical providers. Since these letters guarantee payment when the case is resolved, many victims pay nothing upfront for quality physical therapy.
The vast majority of civil claims settle out of court for good reason. Sometimes, however, sufficient compensation is not offered by the at-fault party/insurance company and the merits of the case must be heard by a civil jury.
Work with Effective Lawyers
Brain injury victims might be entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Tampa, contact The Matassini Law Firm. Home, virtual, and hospital visits are available.
https://www.matassinilaw.com/what-are-the-three-main-causes-of-head-injuries-in-tampa/
