Brain injuries can produce life-altering changes that make it difficult for a person to perform their activities of daily life (ADL). These injuries can require lifelong medical care, which can be costly.
There are two common types of brain injuries that can occur when the victim is involved in a car crash – penetrating and non-penetrating.
How do penetrating and non-penetrating injuries differ?
A penetrating injury occurs when something pierces the skin and skull and infiltrates the brain. In a car wreck, there are many things that can penetrate the skull, e.g., metal components of the vehicle. These foreign objects can also involve outside elements like sign posts or poles they strike in the collision.
A non-penetrating brain injury happens when the brain is slammed against the interior of the skull. A concussion is an example of this type of injury. It’s possible that a non-penetrating injury can occur in conjunction with a penetrating injury.
While it’s easy for doctors to see a penetrating injury, they might have more difficulty diagnosing a non-penetrating injury. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs might be used to diagnose all brain injuries. These diagnostic images enable the doctors to determine the location and severity of the damage so they can set a treatment plan up to address the patient’s medical issues.
For some, the brain injury stems from a car crash that was caused by another person’s negligence. Those victims might opt to pursue a claim for compensation to help them cover the damages with which they must cope. The filing of these claims and lawsuits is subject to time limits that are set by law, so don’t delay.