Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries and Their Causes
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can have long-term or even lethal consequences for victims. In addition to the effects of the injury itself, a TBI can have catastrophic financial consequences. The Tucson accident lawyers with Karnas Law Firm can help victims and their families obtain the compensation they need to live with the personal and financial effects of a TBI.
Facts about Traumatic Brain Injuries
In 2010 alone, more than 2 million Americans experienced a TBI event, with the injury playing a factor in some 50,000 deaths. The underlying causes of the events vary, but vehicular accidents, gunshots, and falls rank at the top of the precipitating factors. Senior citizens and young adults are at the greatest risk of experiencing a TBI. There are two primary types of brain injuries that require different types of treatment.
Open and Closed Injuries
- Open head wounds result when an object punctures the outer layer of the skull. Often occurring during auto accidents, such penetration injuries occur when external objects puncture the skull or when fragments of the skull itself hurt the brain. A closed head wound can also occur in a car accident, but the injury is primarily internal. Closed injuries can result from either a violent contact with another object or the severe shaking of the head, and they often cause damage to the cells and tissues that comprise the brain.
Injuries Caused by Deceleration
- A high-speed traffic accident will result in the sudden deceleration of the occupants of the vehicle involved. This can cause violent contact between the outer skull, which is hard, and the inner brain, which is very soft but relatively heavy. This contact can both compress and stretch the brain itself, resulting in a TBI.
The Threat of Infection
- A TBI that results in a breach of the brain’s protective system can lead to an infection in the surrounding membranes. Bacteria and even viruses that enter the brain can result in serious and even life-threatening disorders. A TBI can also result in the blockage of blood that the brain needs to function, leading to a stroke.
Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries
The human brain is the central organ of the human nervous system and is the primary tool that allows us to experience life. When the brain sustains an injury, it’s considered catastrophic. Recovering from a TBI is a long and arduous process; oftentimes, TBI victims fail to make a complete recovery.
After suffering a TBI that was no fault of their own and provoked by the negligence or reckless actions of another party, victims and their families may be eligible to receive compensation from the party responsible for the accident that sparked the TBI. If you or someone you care about has recently suffered a traumatic brain injury in Tucson, a TBI lawyer with Karnas Law Firm may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers are committed to fighting for every penny that can help you pay for all your medical bills, the ongoing cost of care, psychiatric treatment, pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, inability to return to work, lost wages, and more. Call (520) 571-9700 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.