Brain injuries are serious injuries that can result in a Colorado car accident. From expensive medical treatments to symptoms that affect movement, thought and speech, a brain injury can be life-altering. The brain injury attorneys at Bowman Law prepared this article to provide a comprehensive review of brain injuries stemming from a Colorado car accident.
The human brain is an incredibly complex and vital organ. The brain serves as the control center of the entire nervous system. This is where all the muscles and organs of the human body get their instructions from, and where conscious and subconscious decisions that govern a person’s day-to-day life are made. As such, it is not surprising that the human brain is protected from damage in the event of a regular head injury.
Encased within the rigid structure of the skull, the brain is further shielded by multiple layers of tissue—known as the meninges—and suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as a cushion to absorb minor shocks. This intricate protective system is the result of millions of years of human evolution and biology, designed to guard against everyday bumps and jostles. As a result, minor impacts to the head rarely result in serious injury.
However, more significant forces—such as blunt force trauma or sudden acceleration and deceleration—can overwhelm the brain’s natural defenses. In such instances, the brain may move within the skull, striking the interior surface. These types of injuries can be particularly dangerous, as they may lead to bruising, bleeding, or swelling within the brain, even in the absence of visible trauma to the skull itself. This article explores brain injuries stemming from car accidents.
A coup (pronounced “coo”) injury refers to internal brain damage directly at or beneath the point of impact on the skull. A coup injury occurs when the head strikes an object. Upon impact, the force of the blow causes the brain to collide with the inner surface of the skull, resulting in an injury to the brain tissue directly being the point of impact. Coup injuries typically involve bruising of the brain tissue.
A contrecoup (pronounced “contra coo”) injury refers to internal brain damage at the opposite side of the direct trauma. This type of injury occurs when the force of impact causes the brain to rebound and slam into the opposite side of the skull. Contrecoup injuries often involve contusions, hemorrhages, or other damages to the brain tissue at the point of rebound.
A coup-contrecoup (pronounced “coo contra coo”) refers to the internal brain damage occurring to the brain both at the direct site (coup) and the opposite side (contrecoup). Coup-contrecoup injuries are very serious and result from extremely high impact trauma to the head.
The differences between these types of brain injuries can be incredibly important when assessing liability and causation. For example, if the blow came from a particular side, it might help to show how the car accident happened, or it could settle disputes regarding who caused the accident.
Brain injuries affect different parts of the brain depending on the location of the impact. Symptoms also vary widely depending on the severity of the blow. The following symptoms highlight the dangers that victims face, especially if they delay seeing a doctor:
It is crucial for anyone experiencing these symptoms after a head injury to seek immediate medical attention to prevent further injury and assess for possible brain damage. The longer the victim goes without proper medical treatment, the worse these symptoms can become.
In what follows, the brain injury attorneys at Bowman Law will discuss the typical indications and symptoms associated with the different areas of the brain.
Frontal Lobe: The frontal lobe makes up the larger part of the cerebral cortex and is primarily responsible for major cognitive skills. An injury to the frontal lobe may cause:
Temporal Lobe: The temporal lobe is located in the lower middle part of the brain and is responsible for processing auditory information. An injury to the temporal lobe may cause:
Parietal Lobe: The parietal lobe is responsible for processing sensory information, such as touch, pressure and pain. Parietal lobe damage can make it difficult to interact with your surroundings. An injury to the parietal lobe may cause:
Occipital Lobe: This is the area of the brain that processes visual stimuli. An injury to the occipital lobe may cause:
One of the mistakes that many clients make when they suffer a traumatic brain injury is not documenting their symptoms or their treatments. Keeping a journal and a record of appointments can help attorneys put together an airtight case with valuable first-person accounts of how the injury has affected the victim’s life.
Some brain injury victims recover from coup and contrecoup brain injuries completely, while others will never restore their physical and cognitive abilities. Treatment for coup-contrecoup brain injuries is usually focused on the prevention of further damage rather than repair because damaged brain cells generally do not regenerate and recover. That said, treatment is also dependent on the severity of the injury.
Unlike other parts of the body capable of mending and regenerating damaged material, the brain cannot grow new nerves to replace what was lost. That means brain injuries can result in permanent disability and the need for long-term, rehabilitative care. The recovery timeline is also difficult to predict, as every brain injury is unique. It is important for Coup and Contre-coup brain injury victims to consult a neurologist to better assess the severity of both primary and secondary injuries.
Treatment and rehabilitative therapy are often used to help minimize the effects of brain damage and improve the long-term results. Medical intervention is also important to prevent secondary damage to the brain. In some more serious cases, surgery may actually be required to alleviate internal pressure on the brain and prevent additional damage that can result.
The costs associated with medical treatment for brain injuries can quickly add up to millions of dollars. Unfortunately, even with treatment, a victim of a brain injury may never return to normal.
Many people with brain injuries have difficulty dealing with the insurance claims process or the legal process. Their injuries may make it hard to concentrate or remember what they need to do. The brain injury attorneys at Bowman Law have extensive experience working with victims of brain injuries.
When facing the aftermath of an accident, you need the top-rated personal injury team by your side. At Bowman Law, we provide trusted, results-driven representation to injury victims across Colorado. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are dedicated to securing maximum compensation while providing the guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
Our brain injury attorneys understand the complexity of these cases. We are well-versed in navigating the personal injury claims process, including assessing the role of negligence, conducting vehicle accident reconstructions with medical professionals, and pursuing financial compensation for the injured party. Whether the injury occurs due to a car accident, a fall, or any other form of direct trauma, our brain injury attorneys are equipped to handle each unique case with the utmost care and professionalism.
We believe in a client-focused approach, offering honest communication, aggressive advocacy, and compassionate service. From negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary, we are committed to protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Call us at 720-526-0298 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation. You have one opportunity to seek justice — let our Colorado personal injury attorneys help you seize it.
Owner and Managing Attorney
Jerry Bowman, J.D., M.A., Owner and managing attorney of Bowman Law LLC, takes his responsibility to the legal profession seriously and dedicates his time and effort to providing quality and competent legal representation to clients in Denver and throughout all of Colorado. He holds an MA in Political Science from Wayne State University and earned his law degree in two and a half years from Michigan State University College of Law.
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