Brain injuries can develop from a bump, blow or jolt to the head. There need not be a direct impact to the head for a brain injury to occur. A hit to the body (such as that involving a car accident) can cause the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. This is frequently called a “Contrecoup” brain injury. This involves a contusion remote from and opposite to the actual site of impact to the head.
Contrecoup brain injuries happen when there is a non-penetrating injury to the brain with no break in the skull. A closed brain injury is caused by a rapid forward or backward movement or shaking of the brain inside the bony skull that results in bruising and tearing of brain tissue and blood vessels. This sudden movement (see frequently in rear end auto accident) can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull. This can cause chemical changes within the brain. It can also cause stretching and damaging brain cells at a molecular level.
The complications of a Traumatic Brain Injury (also known as TBI) are wide ranging and can be very serious. Within categories the effects are physical, cognitive and behavioral. Physically a traumatic brain injury can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and lethargy. Cognitively a traumatic brain injury can cause issues with attention. Perception, concentration, memory, speech/language, and executive functioning. Traumatic brain injury can also cause behavioral changes such as irritability, quickness to anger, disinhibition and emotional lability.
Should you or someone you know have any of the symptoms discussed in this article after a motor vehicle accident, please call the law offices of Mitchell Portnoi, P.C. at (908) 228-8800.
