How do Car Accidents lead to Traumatic Brain Injury?

By Matt Lalande in Brain Injuries, Car Accidents, Car Accidents on January 21, 2023

Car accidents are one of Canadians’ most common causes of traumatic injury. There are over 100,000 car accidents that happen on average in Canada in any given year, many of which result in accidents that result in serious physical injury, including traumatic brain injuries. Each year, motor vehicle collisions are responsible for many traumatic brain injuries across Canada. The force of a collision can cause the head and neck to move quickly and unexpectedly, leading to traumatic brain injury. The severity of traumatic brain injuries in car accidents can range from mild concussions to permanent disability.

In cases where traumatic brain injuries result from a car accident, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A qualified traumatic brain injury lawyer can help victims of car accidents get the compensation they need to move on with life while financially protected. If you or someone you know has suffered a traumatic brain injury, the experienced car accident lawyers at Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers can provide the legal guidance and support you need. We have a team of experienced car accident lawyers who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for more information about traumatic brain injuries, car accidents, and how our team of car accident lawyers can help.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of physical injury to the brain caused by an external force. It can range from mild concussions to severe long-term disability and death. Traumatic brain injuries are one of the leading causes of death and disability in Canada, with over 100,000 reported episodes each year. Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by various types of motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, physical assault and other traumatic incidents, with the majority of TBI cases in Canada caused by car accidents. Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries can vary depending on the severity of the injury but may include confusion, memory loss, headache and dizziness, fatigue, impaired judgment, depression and anxiety.

In car accidents, the physical injuries that the body can suffer are often traumatic brain injuries. The force of a collision can cause the head and neck to move quickly and unexpectedly, leading to traumatic brain injury. Assuming that the car passengers are wearing seat belts, the sudden force of a collision can cause their head to whip back and forth, resulting in traumatic brain injury such as traumatic brain hemorrhage. The severity of traumatic brain injuries in car accidents can range from mild concussions to permanent disability.

If you or someone you know has suffered a traumatic brain injury from a car accident, it is important to seek legal advice. A traumatic brain injury lawyer can help victims of car accidents get the compensation they need for their medical bills and other expenses related to their traumatic brain injury. The experienced car accident lawyers at Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers can provide the legal guidance and support you need. Contact us today for more information about traumatic brain injuries, car accidents, and how our team of car accident lawyers can help.

Types of Car Accidents that often result in Traumatic Brain Injuries

Whether it is from the front, back or side, car accidents of any variety are traumatic incidents that have the potential for a serious physical injury like traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The severity of traumatic brain injuries in car accidents can range from mild concussions to permanent disability:

Head-on Collisions: A head-on crash, or head-on collision, is one of the most dangerous types of car accidents on the road. It involves two vehicles travelling in opposite directions and coming into direct contact with each other head on. It often results in serious bodily injury, damage to property and even death. These crashes almost always cause head and brain injuries due to the contact between vehicles and can leave those involved with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that can last long after the accident has occurred. Upon head-on impact, airbags and seatbelts do not provide enough support to prevent head, neck, and head trauma from occurring as a result of an abrupt stop of movement or collision with another object inside the vehicle. The force generated by head-on collisions is highly likely to penetrate any form of head protection or insulation, leaving occupants at risk for TBI in this type of crash.

T-bone Collisions: A t-bone or side-impact car accident is one of the most dangerous types of car accidents. It occurs when a vehicle (which can be either the victim vehicle or at fault vehicle) strikes the side of another vehicle, usually at an intersection. Such a collision may come with little warning and therefore cause extreme trauma and injury to the occupants inside. Because t-bone collisions typically involve a great force and tend to happen very quickly, even if safety devices such as seat belts are used, they will not always prevent serious injury, or worse. T-bone collisions can be particularly dangerous, as they often result in traumatic brain injuries. When an individual is t-boned, the body tenses and is then quickly thrown against whatever side of the car was impacted by the other vehicle. This force is strong enough to cause direct damage to the brain and the surrounding tissue, leading to potentially severe and long-lasting complications for anyone who has been involved in a t-bone collision.

Rear-End Collisions: A rear-end car accident is defined as a type of car accident that occurs when one vehicle rear-ends another while they are both in motion. This can happen due to a distracted driver, speeding or driving under the influence, resulting in serious injuries and damage to vehicles. Rear-end collisions are usually the result of a failure to maintain an appropriate distance from the car in front of you and often times result in citations for tailgating or reckless driving by law enforcement due to the serious threats rear-end collisions pose for other drivers on the road. In order to stay safe, drivers need to be alert at all times and focus on maintaining safe following distances from other vehicles. Traumatic brain injuries are common in rear-end collisions, as the force of impact can cause the brain to jerk back and forth and then forward again with a jolt.

Rollover Accidents: Roll-over accidents are among the most dangerous types of vehicle collisions, as they often result in extensive damage to a car or truck. These accidents occur when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof, causing it to roll over one or more times. Roll-over accidents are serious events with the potential for extensive damage and severe injuries. When a roll-over accident takes place, the roof of the car is particularly vulnerable to crush due to the weight and force of an overturning vehicle. This can cause passengers’ heads to be severely impacted which leads to brain injury or death due to head trauma. It’s vital that all motor vehicle operators take roll-over accidents seriously and employ necessary safety measures like wearing seat belts and following traffic laws assiduously in order to prevent these types of horrific outcomes.

The kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs really depends on the direction from which the vehicle is struck and how traumatic the impact was. What is also relevant is the speed at which the car accident occurs, as well as the condition of the road and vehicles involved.

If you have been injured in any type of car accident, it is important to seek legal advice from experienced traumatic brain injury lawyers. Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers can provide the guidance and support that you need throughout the process. Contact us today for more information about traumatic brain injuries, car accidents, and how our team of car accident experts can help.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are evaluated as one of three categories: mild, moderate and severe. The most significant form of TBI, severe TBI, includes injuries that can result in symptoms such as long-term disabilities or death. While mild and moderate traumatic brain injuries are also serious and can result in symptoms such as confusion, headaches, memory loss and other impairments, severe TBI as a result of car accidents account for the majority of traumatic brain injuries in Canada. Severe traumatic brain injuries often result in long-term, if not permanent, consequences for car accidents victims:

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI): A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a traumatic brain injury caused by an acceleration-deceleration force that causes diffuse damage to the white matter of the brain that carries neurological information. DAI is one of the most common and devastating forms of traumatic brain injury. Victims often suffer resulting in long-term impairment or experience symptoms such as coma, paralysis and speech impairment. DAI can also lead to long-term impairments or death.

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Coup-contrecoup injuries: roughly translated as  “hit-counter hit,” coup-contrecoup injuries occur when the brain collides with both sides of the skull due to an impact, leading to traumatic brain injury. Often, this type of traumatic brain injury results in focal injuries to the brain, which can lead to impairment in movement or cognition. These traumatic brain injuries can have long-term impacts on victims of car accidents, including cognitive impairments, physical disability, and psychological issues.

Hematomas: A brain bleed, also known as a hematoma, is an injury to the brain resulting from a buildup of blood. It can be caused by a traumatic brain injury such as from a car accident or contact sports, or in some cases medical conditions such as high blood pressure or heavy drinking. Brain bleeds are caused when brain tissue is damaged, allowing blood vessels to leak and cause swelling in the brain. Depending on the severity of the brain bleed, symptoms can range from mild headaches to loss of consciousness. Treatment for brain bleeds typically involves bed rest and close monitoring at a hospital; depending on the individual’s brain bleed and other factors it may require emergency surgery to reduce pressure or block off arterial bleeding.

Penetrating traumatic brain injuries: traumatic brain injuries can also be caused by objects penetrating the skull and entering the brain. In car accidents, penetrating TBI can be the result of a traumatic brain injury due to contact with protruding objects in the car, such as broken glass or metal parts. These traumatic brain injuries can result in long-term impairments, such as paralysis and cognitive impairments.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The symptoms of TBI can significantly affect a person’s life and can differ depending on the severity of the traumatic brain injury. In cases of car accidents, traumatic brain injuries may lead to long-term impairments and disability. Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries include:

Memory loss: it can be difficult to recall recent events or information following a traumatic brain injury, as well as the ability to form new memories.

Cognitive impairments: car accident victims suffering from TBI may experience difficulty concentrating and problem-solving, which can affect their personal and professional lives. It can be extremely frustrating for people who suffer from traumatic brain injuries as a result of car accidents to experience cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to complete tasks.

Personality changes: brain injury causes injury, which may change parts of the brain that provide instruction on how to behave. Traumatic brain injury victims may experience mild to extreme personality changes after their injury, depending on the severity of the traumatic brain injury.

Physical impairments: a range of physical impairments and difficulties, including paralysis, loss of balance or coordination, and difficulty walking, may be the result of a TBI caused by a car accident. The level of paralysis will depend on where the back of a car accident victim was struck and injured and the degree of injury to the spinal cord.

Headache and dizziness: persistent headaches and dizziness can be a major problem for traumatic brain injury victims. Issues such as vertigo can arise from an injury to parts of the brain responsible for balance and coordination, leading to a feeling of disorientation.

Fatigue: traumatic brain injuries can result in constant feelings of exhaustion, which can greatly reduce quality of life. Experiencing a physical injury in this traumatic manner requires energy from a car accident victim to recover from and the mental energy required to focus on their daily and professional tasks.

Mood swings and depression: car accident victims may suffer from mood disorders, including depression, in the aftermath of their car accident trauma. Injury to the brain’s limbic system, which regulates emotions, can lead to persistent and severe changes in mood. These issues, paired with any physical or chronic injuries, can make traumatic brain injuries challenging to adjust to and heal from.

Loss of consciousness: most people who suffer a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) will experience a loss of consciousness at some point. Depending on the severity of the traumatic brain injury, a person may be unaware for a few seconds or even months following an accident. In car accidents, this may mean that victims are not fully aware of the car accident in the minutes or hours after it occurs.

Difficulty speaking or understanding language: traumatic brain injury can cause difficulty in speech, such as slurred speech or the inability to form words correctly, as the result of injury to the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes, the parts of the brain which are responsible for language.  Additionally, traumatic brain injuries can affect a person’s comprehension of language, making it difficult to understand what they are hearing or reading.

Increased sensitivity to light and sound: traumatic brain injuries can cause a person to become more sensitive to light and sound, which can be uncomfortable and make it difficult for traumatic brain injury sufferers to focus on tasks. An injury to the thalamus, the part of the brain in charge of sensory information, can create this heightened sensitivity.

Motor skill impairments: traumatic brain injuries can cause a range of motor skill impairments, including tremors, spasms and weakness in the extremities. Injury to the cerebellum, the part of the brain which helps coordinate movement and muscle control, can cause these issues.

These symptoms and impairments can be incredibly traumatic for car accident victims, which is why it’s important to seek medical attention after a traumatic brain injury. Over the period of time after a traumatic brain injury, victims may experience all of these symptoms to a greater or lesser degree. These symptoms can make it extremely challenging for traumatic brain injury victims to adjust and rebuild their lives, as the result of both the physical and mental symptoms that can result from traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It’s important to contact an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer if you or a family member has been involved in a car accident that’s resulted in traumatic brain injury to have a professional evaluate your case and determine the best course of action.

Has your Loved one Suffered a Serious Brain Injury in a Car Accident? Our Hamilton Car Accident Lawyers can help.

The cost of caring for brain injured patients can become astronomical. What becomes important about the cost, however, is that the quality of care for an individual, and thus the quality of life that person can experience after the traumatic brain injury, is dependent on available financial resources. This is why it’s important to retain an experienced brain injury lawyer if you or a loved one have been involved in a serious accident and now unfortunately suffer from catastrophic head trauma. Navigating insurance law is convoluted, complex and complicated and it’s not something one should take on alone – you need an legal expert to ensure that you have access to any an all insurance funds available – for life – to help fund your loved one’s care and security.

It important that you hire a car accident lawyer with experience in dealing with catastrophic head injury claims and who is highly familiar with the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule and Ont. Reg. 34/10 (SABS) – the codified statutory laws in Ontario surrounding what is and what isn’t considered a catastrophic impairment in Ontario. In very short summary, if a car accident victim is declared catastrophically impaired, then he or she will be entitled to enhance benefits for life to help with his or her care, rehabilitation, income replacement and housekeeping needs. It’s important that you retain experience car accident lawyer who will be able to obtain this enhance funding for you or your loved one for life, to assist with such expenses as long-term rehabilitation needs, psychological care, occupational therapy, rehab assistance, PSW’s, speech therapy, aids for independent function, the cost of an inpatient long-term care facility, medications, security systems and monitoring, nursing care, indoor housekeeping assistance, outdoor housekeeping assistance, case management services – and other required services.

Since 2003, Hamilton car accident lawyer Matt Lalande has recovered tens of millions in compensation for car accident victims who are were going to the worst times of their lives. Stop struggling with a faceless insurance company – and call our Hamilton car accident lawyers to get your free consultation today. We represent car accident victims all over Ontario can help you get the compensation deserve you you. Our consultations are 100% free – and if you decide to work with our Hamilton car accident lawyers, the fee is free. We do not charge our clients anything unless we win their case. We are happy to provide you the legal advice you need in order for you to make an informed decision about your own particular situation. Call us no matter where you are in Ontario at 1-844-LALANDE or local in the Southern Ontario region at 905-333-8888. Alternatively, you can send us a confidential email through our website – and we would be happy to explain your legal options to you, at no cost.

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