Car accidents can cause severe, lasting injuries to all involved, including drivers and passengers. One of the most serious injuries you can sustain in a car crash is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even a seemingly minor car accident can result in a TBI, especially if the head hits a hard surface or if the brain is jolted within the skull. While some TBIs are apparent immediately after an accident, some take time to manifest.

In Kansas and Missouri, when a person suffers a traumatic brain injury in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, they can file a personal injury claim and seek compensation. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, understanding the types of car crashes that can cause TBIs is a vital step in protecting your legal rights.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are injuries to the brain that arise when an outside force messes up the normal functioning of the brain. A TBI can occur if you suffer a violent blow to the head. You can also sustain a TBI if your head is jolted or shaken violently, leading to your brain colliding with the insides of your skull.

Traumatic brain injuries can vary in severity, ranging from mild concussions to severe brain damage that could cause permanent disability or even death. Some of the most common symptoms of TBIs include;

  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Confusion
  • Fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Speech problems
  • Loss of coordination

In more severe cases, victims may experience seizures, cognitive impairment, or loss of consciousness.

Common Types of Car Crashes That Can Cause TBIs

Car accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. Other common causes of TBIs include falls, being struck by or against objects, and assaults. Below are some of the most common types of car accidents that can cause TBIs;

1. Head-On Collisions

In a head-on collision, vehicle occupants may be suddenly jerked forward, leading to them colliding with the dashboard, windshield, or steering wheel, with great force. This impact can cause the brain to collide with the skull, resulting in a brain injury.

2. Rear-End Collisions

When the front of a vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle, the impact can cause a “whiplash” motion to the occupants of the front vehicle. A whiplash motion is where your head moves forward and then backward rapidly. This violent motion can cause the brain to hit the interior of the skull, leading to a coup-contrecoup injury. Even at low speeds, rear-end accidents cause severe TBIs.

3. T-Bone Accidents

A T-bone or side impact collision, which occurs when the front of a vehicle strikes the side of another, can result in vehicle occupants suffering a direct blow to the head or upper body. In such an accident, the side of a vehicle provides little protection for the occupants on the side that is hit.

4. Rollover Accidents

In a rollover accident, vehicle occupants may be thrown around inside the vehicle or even ejected if they don’t have a seatbelt on. Head trauma is common in rollover accidents due to the head hitting the vehicle’s roof, the ground, or other external objects.

Talk to a Kansas or Missouri TBI Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in a Kansas or Missouri car accident, contact our experienced brain injury counsel at Griggs Injury Law via 816-474-0202 or online here for help understanding your legal rights and options.