Motor vehicle crashes can lead to significant injuries for the victims. One of the catastrophic results that might occur is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries can range from a relatively minor concussion to a vegetative-state-inducing injury.
Approximately 166 people in the United States die from TBI-related causes each day, but not all of those are due to motor vehicle crashes. This shows how devastating an injury of this nature can be. Understanding a few points about these injuries may benefit individuals who are facing a TBI.
Penetrating or non-penetrating injury
In a penetrating injury, something pierced through the skin and skull to come into contact with the brain. This can occur if something, such as a piece of metal, enters the head. Outside of car wrecks, a penetrating injury can be because of a stabbing or gunshot.
A non-penetrating injury is one that happens when the head hits something or the head is flung around so the brain hits the inside of the skull. The damage to the brain in these cases is because of the violent contact with the skull or the yanking and pulling of the soft tissue and other structures.
Anyone who has a TBI that’s the result of a car wreck caused by someone else’s negligence may opt to seek compensation for the damages. This includes the expenses related to medical care and others caused by the injury. It can also include missed wages. There are strict time limits built into the law for these cases, so getting this handled as quickly as possible after the wreck Is critical.