Wayne County Head Injury Car Accident Lawyer

Many car accident victims suffer serious head injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), accounting for nearly 25 percent of the diagnosed TBIs every year. 

Accident victims who suffer head injuries may be entitled to compensation for their damages. The Wayne County, Michigan, injury attorneys at Sommers Schwartz understand how difficult living with a head injury from a car accident can be. As one of the most experienced firms in the area, Sommers Schwartz has a reputation for getting accident victims the compensation and help they deserve. 

Wayne County Accident Statistics

Wayne County is the most populous county in Michigan. Its roadways are the busiest, too; partially due to Detroit traffic, it has the highest overall vehicle accident rate in the state. According to the Michigan State Police, Wayne County recorded 44,017 reportable vehicle accidents in 2020. Of those, 234 involved fatalities, and 10,561 resulted in injuries. 

Wayne County also had the highest number of motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, bicycle, and alcohol-related accidents in the state. These roadway users are more vulnerable to TBIs because they do not have the safety protection of a closed vehicle with airbags and injury prevention systems.

Common Head Injuries 

There are two categories of head injuries: open and closed. An open head injury involves an object or impact piercing or breaking the skull. A closed head injury is one without penetration. Both injuries can be severe and cause significant pain, suffering, and impairment. 

It is easy to imagine why head injuries are so common in car accidents. Impact with another vehicle or fixed object jerks the body suddenly and violently. The head often takes the brunt of this force.

There are many kinds of head injuries commonly caused by car accidents:

• Concussion – A concussion occurs when the brain is jostled inside the skull. It frequently happens during car accidents because of the sudden change in momentum. Concussions are the most common car accident injury. They are usually mild, but they can also be severe. Even mild concussions can lead to impairment and disruption of ordinary life activities.
• Contusion – A contusion is bruising of the brain. This can be caused by something hitting the head from the outside or entering the skull cavity. People with a brain contusion also often experience brain swelling. 
• Penetrative Wounds – When an object enters the skull and brain, it can cause severe bleeding and swelling. Objects inside the car can become projectiles in an accident and cause a head injury. Glass from the windshield or debris can also enter a wound and cause serious damage. 
• Diffuse Axonal Injury – A diffuse axonal injury happens when the brain moves inside the skull after being shaken or jolted, and the connective fibers inside tear or shred. Many people with this type of injury fall into comas. 
• Coup-Contrecoup – Coup-contrecoup injuries mimic concussions in that they occur when the brain moves inside the skull after an impact. The difference in a coup-contrecoup injury is that the brain first strikes one side of the skull and then the opposite side, resulting in two injuries. 
• Acquired Brain Injuries – Acquired brain injuries are caused by internal conditions instead of external force. Examples include hypoxic or anoxic brain injury from lack of oxygen to the brain or damage caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. 

Effects of Head Injuries

Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries can affect the entire body. Minor ones might cause headaches, while major ones can cause loss of function and ability, coma, or death. 

Some short-term symptoms of head injuries are:

• Loss of consciousness.
• Headache.
• Seizure.
• Dizziness.
• Confusion.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea.
• Memory issues.
• Mood disturbances.
• Blurred vision.
• Slurred speech.
• Sensitivity to light and sound.
• Tinnitus.

Potential long-term effects of head injuries include:

• Loss of movement. 
• Loss of sensation.
• Paralysis.
• Loss of bowel and bladder function.
• Coma.
• Mood disorders.
• Cognitive changes.
• Personality changes.

These symptoms may resolve with treatment or persist and become chronic issues.

Damages for Head Injuries

A head injury can change your whole life. You may be unable to work, causing bills to pile up as you undergo medical treatments. You may no longer be able to physically or mentally do the things you once did, causing a loss of independence, time, enjoyment, and more. 

Many costs are associated with a serious injury beyond the immediate medical bills and lost wages. For this reason, two kinds of damages can be recovered in car accident cases. 

• Economic damages have a documented value, such as medical bills, lost wages and benefits, and loss of future earning capacity. 
• Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and loss of consortium, may not have an obvious dollar value but are key to being fully compensated after an accident. 

Be cautious when dealing with an insurance company. Insurance companies will pay as little as possible to settle a claim. If you do not know the worth of your case, you might accept far less money than if you retain an attorney to negotiate on your behalf. An attorney can value your claim accurately and fairly and recover the compensation you deserve. Contact an experienced attorney before engaging in any discussions with an insurance adjuster or investigator.

Contact a Wayne County Car Accident Attorney 

If you or a loved one have suffered head injuries from a car accident, contact an experienced attorney without delay. The accident attorneys of Sommers Schwartz are among Michigan’s best and most successful and are serious about holding negligent drivers accountable. Sommers Schwartz takes pride in helping accident victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve for their life-changing injuries. 

To speak with a Sommers Schwartz attorney about your rights after an accident, call 800-783-0989 for a free consultation.