What Are the Types of Brain Injuries?

All brain injuries are serious, no matter their type or classification. The brain is the body’s computer, controlling everything from how we think and behave to our most basic actions, like breathing. Any injury to the brain can interrupt these vital functions, and the long-term consequences can be severe.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when a sudden jolt or blow strikes a person’s head or body. TBIs can also result from penetrating injuries, where a foreign object (like a bullet) pierces the skull and damages the brain tissue. TBIs can temporarily or permanently alter brain function depending on their severity. Victims of catastrophic brain injuries may suffer from permanent disabilities or death in the wake of an accident.

Not all TBIs are preventable, but many brain injuries are. Truck accidents, car crashes, pedestrian collisions, and slip-and-fall accidents account for many unintentional TBIs. When someone else is responsible for a brain injury, the surviving victim may be entitled to pursue compensation in a personal injury claim. An experienced brain injury lawyer from Swenson & Shelley can evaluate your case in a free consultation. Call or contact us today.

Common Types of Head Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents

Brain injuries are categorized as open or closed injuries, depending on whether a penetrating injury exists. TBIs are subclassified by type as well. The most common types of brain injuries include:

• Concussions – One of the mildest forms of traumatic brain injury, a concussion occurs when the brain gets rattled inside the skull. Concussions cause minor damage to brain tissue and temporary disruptions in brain function that can last for several days or weeks. A single concussion usually does not result in long-term or permanent damage to the brain. However, repeated concussions may increase the risk of certain degenerative brain diseases, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Concussion symptoms include dizziness, nausea, confusion, sensory sensitivity, and blurred vision.
• Contusions – Also called a brain bruise, a contusion involves bleeding and swelling of the brain around the injury site. Contusions typically occur when the brain forcefully strikes the inside of the skull, although they can also occur with a skull fracture.
• Coup-contrecoup injuries – A coup-contrecoup injury refers to a type of brain contusion that results from the brain striking the inside of the skull with enough force to rebound and hit the opposing side of the head, causing bruising on opposite sides of the brain.
• Diffuse axonal injuries – A diffuse axonal injury occurs when neurons inside the brain become sheared, usually due to twisting forces when the head or body violently jerks or twists. Victims can suffer severe or life-threatening complications, including coma, depending on the severity of a diffuse axonal injury.
• Penetrating injuries – A penetrating injury occurs when an object travels into or through the brain, such as when debris or shrapnel from a car crash enters a vehicle occupant’s skull. Penetrating injuries cause physical damage to brain tissue that can result in long-term disabilities and death.

Legal Rights and Compensation for TBI Victims

A person who suffered a TBI in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence may have the right to pursue compensation for their losses, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. TBI lawyers can help injury victims by:

• Investigating the accident to recover evidence
• Identifying the party or parties at fault for the crash
• Preparing and filing insurance and legal claims
• Pursuing financial recovery through a settlement or court judgment

The legal team of Swenson & Shelley has a long track record of advocating for the rights of TBI victims throughout Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.

The Swenson & Shelley Difference

At Swenson & Shelley, we take a personalized approach to client representation. We fight for what’s best for you. Our TBI attorneys and support staff are dedicated to helping you obtain the money you need for top-quality medical care, rehabilitation, and planning for the future.

When you contact us for help after an accident, you will feel the stress lift off your shoulders from the start. We will listen to your story, identify your needs and goals, and determine all potentially liable parties in your case. Our attorneys will place an appropriate value on your case and fight for maximum compensation for your losses. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial to show insurance companies that we mean business. That’s our commitment to you.

Let Swenson & Shelley be your ally in the fight for justice. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.