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Brain Injuries and Auto Accidents

| Oct 5, 2010 | Uncategorized

A brain injury, whether mild or severe, is one of the most serious injuries that can occur in a car accident. Each year, roughly one million people are seen in emergency rooms for head injuries, many of which occur in auto or motorcycle accidents. Many of those people will suffer permanent and prolonged effects.

It is a mistake to believe that a head injury can only occur from a very serious accident such as being thrown from the vehicle or falling through the windshield. A head injury can occur in even a relatively mild car accident. You do not need to hit your head on an object, such as the windshield, airbag, or visor, nor do you have to be travelling at a high rate of speed. If you are traveling along the road at 40 mph when struck by another vehicle, your brain slows from 40 mph to zero in an instant. The soft tissue of the brain is forced forward, sideways, or backwards into the hard bone of the skull causing injury. This impact results in traumatic brain injury.

A brain injury is almost always serious. Nevertheless, the less serious brain injury results in a concussion. While a more serious brain injury can result in bleeding on the brain or hemorrhaging. Because the skull is a solid enclosed space, bleeding from a head injury can result in swelling and excess pressure because the fluid has no where to go. This is an extremely serious and life threatening injury. Brain injuries can occur on a microscopic level, so even diagnostic testing such as MRI’s or CT scans, do not always reveal the injury.

Long term effects of brain injuries can include:

  • loss of memory
  • psychiatric disorders
  • mood swings
  • post-concussion syndrome
  • increased likelihood of sustaining subsequent brain injuries with more severe consequences

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious auto accident and sustained a head injury whether mild or severe, it is imperative that you contact a Rhode Island auto accident attorney experienced in dealing with brain injuries. These are extremely serious cases that require a great deal of attention.

Attorney Joseph Lamy has handled many brain injury cases. If you have been injured in a serious auto accident contact our office right away for a free consultation.

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