Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury: Common Types Resulting from Car Accidents

Hackard Law is committed to delivering current, relevant legal information to our clients, prospective clients, and community members.

Our primary areas of practice include estate and trust litigation on a contingency fee basis, as well as cases involving traumatic brain injuries and motor vehicle accidents in the Sacramento region. While our experience extends beyond these areas, they represent the current information focus in sharing our video content.

It’s important to note that motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. In Sacramento, we have at least two primary medical centers that handle these cases.

The University of California, Davis Medical Center, our only Level 1 trauma center, treats a significant number of these injuries. Additionally, Dignity Health’s Mercy San Juan Medical Center, a Level 2 trauma center, also manages many traumatic brain injuries resulting from automobile accidents.

2024 has unfortunately brought its share of serious accidents to the Sacramento area. These incidents, while distressing, are a reality we must address.

We’ve seen various types of collisions, including motorcycle crashes, vehicles striking power poles, accidents due to lane changes, incidents resulting in road closures, and multi-vehicle collisions. Traumatic brain injuries often result from these types of accidents.

Here’s a general overview of common types:

1. Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): This occurs when rapid acceleration or deceleration causes the brain to move within the skull, tearing nerve tissues.
2. Concussion: A mild form of traumatic brain injury, often resulting from the head striking an object like a dashboard or steering wheel.
3. Contusion: Essentially a bruise on the brain caused by direct impact.
4. Penetrating Injury: Also known as an open head injury, this happens when an object penetrates the skull.
5. Coup-Contrecoup Injury: This involves contusions on opposite sides of the brain, typically caused by severe impacts or sudden deceleration.

While this list is not exhaustive, it provides a general understanding of the types of brain injuries that can occur in motor vehicle accidents. We at Hackard Law are dedicated to assisting those affected by such injuries and advocating for their rights.

If you or someone you know needs legal representation in these areas, we encourage you to reach out to our team. Together, we can navigate the complexities and achieve the best possible outcomes. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hackard Law: Remember, It’s Never Just an Accident