Motor vehicle accidents can be devastating for all parties involved. On top of the damage done to the vehicle, it’s not uncommon for victims of collisions to suffer brain injuries. The nature and severity of these injuries can vary greatly depending upon the circumstances of the collision.

In 2019 alone, there were over 223,000 hospitalized cases of TBIs. Some of the most common types of brain injuries include:

• Hematoma — When blood pools between the brain and the skull, pressure is placed on the brain.
• Hemorrhage — Hitting your head hard against any part of a vehicle in a crash can result in blunt force trauma that causes a hemorrhage, or bleeding around or within the brain.
• Concussion — An impact trauma to the brain. The injury is caused by excessive forces applied to the skull.
• Cerebral edema — When someone suffers a blow to the head, the resulting gradual swelling, known as edema, can cause injuries to other parts of the brain that weren’t initially affected by the accident.
• Skull fracture — Blunt force trauma can not only cause swelling and bleeding on the brain, but the skull itself could fracture and lead to brain injuries.

The above conditions can be very serious and, in some instances, fatal. As such, head trauma should never be taken lightly. Anyone who suffers a head injury should immediately seek professional medical attention.

Some of the symptoms of brain injury include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Disorientation/vertigo
• Confusion
• Ringing in the ears

While a driver can suffer a brain injury in a collision with another motor vehicle operator, there are others who may be at even greater risk, such a bicyclists and pedestrians. With Georgia’s population growing and Atlanta’s bustling commercial/tourist districts, the roadways can become particularly hazardous for those who share (or cross) the road. Motorists sometimes have difficulty seeing those riding on bikes or walking, and the disparity in weight and lack of structural protection makes cyclists and people on foot highly vulnerable to serious injury. Many people on motorcycles and bicycles routinely wear helmets, but it is not always enough to completely protect them against the force of a vehicle collision.

Head trauma medical diagnostics and treatment can be very costly. Even those with good health insurance can get stuck dealing with large co-pays and out of pocket expenses for head injuries. Anyone involved in a serious motor vehicle accident should seek the advice and counsel of an experienced collision injury lawyer to protect their rights and finances.

Jason & Bradley, LLC, located in Stone Mountain, is one of Georgia’s preeminent personal injury law firms. If you or a family member has suffered a brain injury in an automobile accident, please feel free to contact us online or call 404-297-9933 for an initial consultation.