Understanding Brain Bleed Injuries from Queens Car Accidents
One of the most devastating types of bodily injuries is a brain injury. Sometimes this is known as a traumatic brain injury or TBI. These injuries are defined by the CDC as damaged “caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain.” While the most commonly known TBIs are concussions, diffuse axonal brain injuries, coup-contrecoup injuries, and penetrating injuries, brain bleeds are also a common type of TBI. They can also be a fatal type of brain injury. Our New York City personal injury lawyer explains brain bleed injuries from Queens car accidents and why victims need to protect their rights to compensation under New York law.
This is because, not only do victims suffer pain and suffering from the reckless, careless, or negligent acts of another, but victims may also have significant lost wages and medical bills due to a brain bleed. Moreover, other individuals may be unable to work in the same job and may be forced to take a lesser paying job resulting in a loss of income. Our New York City personal injury lawyers know that these damages could result in significant disruptions to a victim and his or her family. Here at Cohen and Cohen Law Group, P.C., our experienced law firm is dedicated to helping victims and their families who suffer these types of damages after the negligence of another person, business, or government entity. Ask us for a FREE consultation to learn how we can maximize the compensation that you may be entitled to.
What is a Brain Bleed?
A brain bleed is a serious medical emergency, even if it is a little or small bleed. This is also known as a brain hemorrhage or a type of hemorrhagic stroke. It is very dangerous for several reasons. First, bleeding can kill brain tissue. Second, bleeding in one part of the brain and reduce the amount of oxygenated blood provided to other parts of the brain resulting in oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) and damage. Third and finally, bleeding in the brain can also increase intracranial pressure which could cause significant injury or death.
While all factors are true and significant, intracranial pressure is the most significant issue. This is because the brain and spinal cord are in a “closed system” protected by layers of nearly impenetrable membranes, and then surrounded by strong vertebrae and skull bones. The purpose is to keep bacteria and viruses out, while keeping hydration and nutrients in. In addition, the closed system operates to keep the spinal cord and brain cushioned and pressure controlled.
Dangers with Increased Pressure
The closed system can also increase or decrease pressure as needed, albeit slowly. However, when there is a brain bleed, that blood is coming into the closed system that should not be there. That increases the pressure. The system can decrease the pressure by diffusing the blood and cerebral spinal fluid out. But if the rate of bleeding is faster than the rate the system can decrease pressure, the intracranial pressure could raise too high.
This could cause compression of the brain, which can in turn cause swelling and result in more compression and damage to brain tissue. In the most severe cases, the bottom of the brain can even by pushed out of the skull at the bottom where the spinal cord originates. This space is known as the foramen magnum. When brain tissue begins to push to this region, it is very likely to cause catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
Queens Car Accidents Causing Brain Bleeds
Any type of motor vehicle accident could cause a brain bleed, especially a trucking accident, motorcycle crash, or pedestrian collision. Our New York City personal injury lawyer knows just how devastating a brain bleed can be, even if the victim’s head does not get directly hit by anything. This is because the brain is suspended in that cerebral spinal fluid. This means a violent back-and-forth whiplash motion could result in a brain bleed to the front or back of the brain. In addition, direct hits to the head could cause obvious brain bleeds. This is especially true if a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle or a bicyclists that is knocked down in a collision.
Call Our New York City Personal Injury Lawyer for Brain Bleed Cases
If you or a loved one suffered a brain bleed after a Queens car accident, or if a loved one was wrongfully killed in any type of motor vehicle accident, call Cohen and Cohen Law Group, P.C. for a FREE consultation to learn what your rights to compensation may be under New York law. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis which means that we do not get paid under we recover a settlement or award for you. We also only get paid a percentage of what we recover for you, which means you do not have out-of-pocket expenses for our services. Learn more about your rights by calling 800-247-8164 for a FREE case evaluation or use our convenient and easy-to-use contact us box available here.