Brain Injuries – Motor Vehicle Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that there were approximately 2.4 million people injured in car accidents in one year alone in the U.S. In many of these cases, the victims injured sustained traumatic brain injuries, also commonly referred to as TBIs. These injuries occur when a physical trauma to the brain causes disruption to the way the brain normally functions. In serious cases, TBI can result in long-term issues with memory, concentration, speech, and understanding, and can result in extensive financial and non-economic losses.

How Do Motor Vehicle Accidents Cause TBI?

Motor vehicle accidents often involve significant physical forces that can cause serious injuries to every part of the human body, including the head. And the Centers for Disease Control offers statistics that show a significant amount of car accidents are responsible for traumatic brain injuries. The sudden acceleration or deceleration involved in many car accidents can easily cause a person to hit his or her head against the dashboard, steering wheel, window, or any other surface of the interior of a car. In addition, traumatic brain injuries can occur even in the absence of physical contact between the head and an external object. If the head moves back and forth violently enough to allow the brain to move around within the skull, it can be sufficient to cause a TBI. For this reason, it is extremely important for anyone who has been involved in a motor vehicle accident to seek medical attention in order to be fully evaluated.

How Can Victims Determine Whether a TBI Caused by a Motor Vehicle Accident is Compensable?

Not every accident gives victims of car accidents the right to file a claim to recover for their injuries. If, for example, the victim were at fault for an accident, he will likely not be able to obtain any compensation for his injuries or other losses. In order to recover compensation, an accident victim must be able to establish that he or she was injured by someone else’s negligence. Examples of the kinds of negligent conduct that often results in serious car accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:

Exceeding the posted speed limit;
Ignoring poor weather conditions;
Distracted driving;
Failing to observe traffic signals;
Failure to yield;
Not signaling a turn or lane change;
Not stopping at a stop sign;
Impaired driving; and
Improper vehicle maintenance;
Following too closely.

Determining whether an accident was the result of negligence is a complicated issue, so one should always have their case reviewed by an experienced attorney to determine whether he or she has a viable claim.

Contact The Casper Firm Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

Individuals who are involved in motor vehicle accidents often sustain a traumatic brain injury through no fault of their own. When these injuries are serious, victims may be forced to deal with the repercussions of an accident for years or even decades. Importantly, even mild cases can cause significant issues that may result in substantial medical expenses, lost income, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. Fortunately for people who sustain TBIs in motor vehicle accidents, an experienced attorney can often help them recover. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced traumatic brain injury lawyers, call The Casper Firm today.