When people consider the injuries a person can sustain in a car accident, they often think of physical injuries. However, the risk of a severe brain injury in a car accident looms large. According to the National Library of Medicine, there are approximately 2.8 million traumatic brain injuries (“TBI”) in the United States annually. One example of TBI is coup-contrecoup (pronounced “coo contra coo”) brain injuries. In what follows, the brain injury lawyers at Bowman Law will discuss coup-contrecoup brain injuries.
A coup-contrecoup brain injury is a type of TBI where damage happens to both the spot of the trauma and the opposite side of the brain. The words coup-contrecoup are French for “blow” and “counterblow.” The initial injury, referred to as the coup, transpires directly at the point of impact, whereas the subsequent contrecoup injury impacts the opposite side of the brian.
The coup-contrecoup phenomenon can arise when a person’s brain moves forward and backward within the skull following a significant blow. Notwithstanding the protective cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain, significant blows can result in a person’s brain making contact with the jagged interior of the skull. This is a form of closed head injury as it occurs without the skull being penetrated or damaged.
The human brain is divided into different regions: the cerebrum (including frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes), the cerebellum, and the brain stem (including the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata). Depending on what region was impacted, a victim of a brain injury may experience the following common symptoms:
After a doctor diagnoses a coup-contrecoup brain injury (usually through magnetic resonance imaging), they will create an individualized treatment plan depending on the severity of the injury and the symptoms. A very minor coup-contrecoup injury can heal with minimal medical intervention, such as rest, ice therapy, and pain medications.
The biggest risk from this type of traumatic brain injury is increased intracranial pressure. So along with managing TBI symptoms, doctors will consistently monitor intracranial pressure. If intracranial pressure becomes too high, doctors may resort to several treatments, such as diuresis, head elevation, sedation, and hypertonic saline. In the most severe cases of coup-contrecoup injuries, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Depending on the severity of the coup-contrecoup injury and how quickly the victim was able to receive medical attention, the victim may experience long-term disability in some way. Physical and cognitive deficits may require numerous sessions of physical therapy in order to improve quality of life.
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 lawyers at Bowman Law have extensive experience working with victims of brain injuries.
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 lawyers 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.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury 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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