A brain laceration occurs when there is a cut or tear in the brain tissue. Generally, this type of brain injury can occur in one of two ways: an object can make direct contact with the brain tissue and cause a cut; or the brain tissue may be stretched so far that a tear occurs.
How a Brain Laceration Occurs in a Car Accident
A car accident can result in a brain laceration for one of the reasons described above. More specifically, a brain laceration can occur during a car accident if:
- The skull bone fractures and part of the bone cuts or tears the brain.
- Something in the vehicle, or a part of the vehicle, breaks the skull bone and penetrates the brain.
- The brain tissue is stretched so far that it tears.
Regardless of how the brain laceration occurred, the impact on the victim may be the same.
What the Future Looks Like With a Brain Laceration
Typically, the prognosis for a person with a brain laceration depends on:
- What part of the brain was cut or torn.
- The depth of the cut or tear.
- Whether any blood vessels or nerves were lacerated.
People who suffer small lacerations that do not go deep into the brain tissue and that do minimal damage to nerves or blood vessels may suffer mild symptoms from their brain injury. They may benefit from rehabilitation therapies such as speech and language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other therapies depending on the specific part of the brain that was hurt.
However, people who suffer more significant brain lacerations may face more severe problems. Specifically, swelling or bleeding of the brain may occur along with nerve damage. The result can be a coma, death, or lifelong disabilities.
How to Protect Your Loved One Who Has a Brain Laceration
Your primary goal right now is to help your loved one. As you follow the doctors’ orders and make sure that your loved one get ongoing medical help, you may also need to help your loved one get the legal help that she needs.
If someone else caused your loved one’s accident and resulting brain laceration then that person, or his insurer, may be responsible for paying for your loved one’s past, current, and future:
- Medical expenses. This may include surgeries, hospitalizations, diagnostic testing, doctors’ appointments, rehabilitation therapies, adaptive equipment, medications, and other medical needs.
- Lost income. This includes any wages or income that the person is unable to earn due to her injury. It may be a total loss of income if the victim is unable to work at all or the difference between what she used to earn and what she can earn now if she can work reduced hours or a different job.
- Out-of-pocket costs. This may include property damage from the accident, transportation costs after the accident, and the cost of help that the victim didn’t need prior to the accident.
- Pain and suffering. The victim should be compensated for her physical pain and emotional suffering.
- Other damages. Any other damages that occur because of the accident may also be compensable.
To find out more, schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney.
Have You Been Injured In A Wisconsin, Illinois or Iowa Car Accident?
If you've been injured in a car accident you should speak to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. You can contact us online or call our office directly at 800.800.5678 to schedule your free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers. We have been helping car accident victims since 1964 and service clients throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.
