Auto, Motorcycle, Trucking Accidents Leading Cause of Indianapolis, IN Traumatic Brain Injury Related Deaths

Motor Vehicle Accidents Leading Cause of Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a result of a sudden trauma to the skull or a penetrating head injury. Nearly one-third of all injury related deaths involve a traumatic brain injury with motor vehicle accidents being the leading cause of TBI- related death, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traumatic brain injuries may also result from shaken baby syndrome.

Coup-Contrecoup Injuries

A contusion is a bruise or injury below the surface caused by blunt force. Coup (pronounced kou) and Contrecoup (pronounced kon-tre-kou) injuries are contusions brought about by the brain slamming into the skull as a result of a strong blow to the head. A coup injury occurs when the brain impacts the inner skull at a single point, often the frontal lobe. A Contrecoup injury occurs when the brain slams into the opposite side of the skull or coup injury due to a recoiling action; often resulting in a contusion of the temporal lobe. Frontal and temporal lobe injuries may affect decision-making abilities and are often associated with language issues—both communicating and understanding language.

In an automobile, motorcycle or trucking accident, a sudden impact with severe strike to the head may cause the brain to ricochet against the inner skull creating opposing contusions. Medical professionals identify this kind of TBI as a Coup-Contrecoup injury.

Coup-Contrecoup injuries may include the following symptoms:

• Bleeding of the brain;
• Swelling within the confines of the skull;
• Disruption of spinal fluid which nourishes the brain; and/or
• Skull fragments entering brain tissue.

Damage to Brain may be Irreversible

Sadly, the damage caused by coup-contrecoup injuries is usually irreversible. Treatment of these injuries consists of addressing further damage or complications by the use of surgery or medications to control brain swelling and/or bleeding.

Disabilities from a TBI depend upon the severity of the injury, the location of the injury and the age and general health of the patient. The prognosis for moderate to severely injured patients of traumatic brain injuries consists of an individually tailored treatment plan which may include physical, occupational, speech and language therapies and psychiatric support. The most severely injured patients may continue in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) in which an individual remains in a vegetative state for more than a month.

Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

If you or someone you know has been in an accident and suspect there may have been damage to the brain, an experienced traumatic brain injuries lawyer in Indianapolis, IN may want to suggest a neuropsychological evaluation. Ward & Ward Law Firm has over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury cases. The law firm of Ward & Ward receives no fee unless you recover for your injuries. Call Charlie Ward today for a FREE consultation or visit https://wardlawfirm.com.

Charlie Ward

cpw@wardlawfirm.com

www.wardlawfirm.com