Head injuries are one of the most common injuries suffered in car accidents. They can range from mild to severe and have a long-term impact on your health. If you have been involved in a car accident and have suffered a head injury, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

If you or a loved one have sustained a head injury in an auto accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today. We’ll advise you on what steps to take next and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury claim.

Causes of Head Injuries in Car Accidents

There are several different ways to suffer a head injury in a car accident. Some of the most common include:

• Being hit in the head with something such as a steering wheel, window, or windshield
• The head being thrown around because of airbag deployment
• Striking your head on something else inside the vehicle
• Sudden, forceful movement of the neck or head, as a result of an impact from the rear or the side. 

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

Traumatic Brain Injuries are caused when a significant force is exerted on the brain. For example, a severe traumatic brain injury can be caused when an object pierces the skull and brain tissue. However, you do not have to hit your head on something hard, such as the dashboard or the window, to suffer a traumatic brain injury. Instead, it can be caused by your head being thrown back and forth by significant force, such as a rear-end collision. As a result of such force, your brain can strike the inside of your skull, causing a brain injury.

You can suffer from mild traumatic brain injuries such as concussions or severe brain injuries such as skull fractures, resulting in death.

Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Not all brain injuries are easy to diagnose. Many people who suffer a brain injury do not realize that they have one. This is because the symptoms of a brain injury can vary significantly from person to person. Some common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Feeling tired all the time
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Seizures

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the symptoms listed above after a car accident. 

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Car Accidents

Various traumatic brain injuries can occur after car accidents. Some common types include:

Concussions

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when the head is struck or shaken, causing the brain to bounce around inside the skull. This can lead to bruising and bleeding on the brain’s surface and damage to nerve fibers and other delicate tissues.

Contusions

A contusion is caused when blood vessels on the surface of the brain rupture and bleed. The blood accumulates and creates a bruise on the brain, causing swelling and pressure inside the skull.

Skull Fractures

Skull fractures occur when there is a break in one or more bones that make up the skull. They can be caused by a direct blow to the head or a significant force exerted on the head.

Brain Hemorrhages

A brain hemorrhage is a stroke that occurs when an artery in the brain bursts, causing bleeding inside or around the brain. This can lead to permanent damage, disability, and even death if not treated promptly.

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)

A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a traumatic brain injury that occurs when the head is subjected to a sudden rotational or angular force. This can cause the brain to move back and forth within the skull.

A DAI leads to tearing of brain structures and may include the following symptoms: headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and a loss of consciousness.

How Long After a Head Injury Can Symptoms Occur?

There is no set amount of time that it will take for a mild or severe traumatic brain injury to show symptoms. The length of time can range from hours to months after the accident occurred. It depends on the severity and location of your injury, as well as any pre-existing medical conditions you have.

Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injuries

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating traumatic brain injuries. The treatment options will vary depending on the severity and location of your injury. Some common treatments include:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an important part of your rehabilitation after suffering from head trauma; it helps strengthen weakened muscles that may have been affected by the injury to prevent further complications or injury down the road.

Physical therapy can also help improve your balance, coordination, and range of motion so you can return to your everyday activities safely and effectively.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy can help you regain strength and mobility in your upper extremities, which can be helpful if you have to return to work or school soon after your injury. Some common goals of occupational therapy for brain injuries include:

• improving hand-eye coordination
• improving balance and walking
• retraining muscles to use the affected side of your body again

Counseling

You may need to see a counselor or therapist if you are experiencing any type of mental health issues after your brain injuries, such as anxiety or depression.

Medications

You may be prescribed medications for pain management, seizures, and other symptoms associated with traumatic brain injuries. In addition, your doctor may suggest rest and painkillers (such as ibuprofen) for any headaches.

Surgery

A significant brain injury may require surgery to relieve pressure on the brain, remove blood clots or foreign objects, or fix skull fractures. Your doctor will recommend the best course of action based on your individual situation and the severity of your injury.

Can the Brain Heal After Being Injured?

Yes, the brain can heal after being injured. However, it is important to remember that there is no set time frame for recovery from a brain injury. Some people make a full recovery within months, while others may never fully recover. Some injuries are so severe that they cause permanent damage, leading to disability or death.

If you think you have suffered a brain injury, the most important thing to do is seek medical attention and follow your doctor’s instructions. Prompt treatment is essential for the best possible outcome.

Can You File a Lawsuit for Head Injuries Caused by a Car Accident?

To determine whether you have a case, it is important to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who can review the facts of your situation and advise you on your best course of action.

If you decide to file a lawsuit, your attorney will help you gather evidence to support your claim and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company for fair compensation.

What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You

The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

Compensation For Head Injuries Sustained in Motor Vehicle Accidents

A severe brain injury can have a devastating effect on your future and finances. If you or a loved one have sustained a head injury in an auto accident, you can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

We Get You Results

Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries. Here are a few of our case results:

• $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
• $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
• $3.5 million for a client who suffered a brain injury when a police officer opened his door into his bicycle. 
• $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
• $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
• $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

Contact an Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.