Learn About a Coup Contrecoup Brain Injury from Our Oregon Trucking Accident Lawyers
Of the most debilitating and catastrophic personal injuries after a trucking accident may be a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. This type of personal injury could result in permanent and irreversible damage to the brain which requires around the clock medical care and attention. Some individuals suffer a traumatic brain injury may never be able to return to the same line of work or take care of themselves independently ever again. There are many different types of traumatic brain injuries, and unfortunately trucking accidents are one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries due to the sheer size and weight of these large commercial vehicles. One of the most damaging types of traumatic brain injuries is a coup contrecoup brain injury. Our Oregon trucking accident lawyers know how devastating this type of traumatic brain injury can be and we explain what rights you may have to protect under the law.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a traumatic brain injury or TBI is defined as a disruption in the normal function of the brain that may be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. A coup contrecoup brain injury can be caused by all three of these actions. A traumatic brain injury could be temporary or permanent, or at least the symptoms of of a traumatic brain injury after an Oregon trucking accident could be temporary or permanent. Unfortunately, most times the damage to the brain caused in any type of auto accident is in some form permanent. While the symptoms may go away, future impairments may become more obvious as a person ages. This is why it is imperative to always have any brain injury caused by any auto accident reviewed by Oregon trucking accident lawyers.
What is a Coup Contrecoup Brain Injury?
To understand a coup contrecoup brain injury, one must first understand the anatomy of the brain. The brain is protected by the hardened bone forming the skull. Inside of the skull, the brain is wrapped with various layers of tissue which help cushion the brain from impact, keep bacteria and viruses out, hydrate the brain, and many other important functions. Also inside of the skull and around layers of tissue is a fluid known as cerebral spinal fluid. This fluid also helps to cushion the brain, hydrate the brain, and perform other important functions.
Since the brain is suspended in this fluid, it can shift or move slightly inside of the skull. This is completely normal and also helps the body regulate intracranial pressure. However, because the brain is suspended in fluid, it can shift violently in an explosive trucking accident. This may cause the brain to slide back and forth in the skull. When it does this, the brain can sustain damage to the opposite side of the impact and then swing backwards and sustained injury to the side of the impact. This is what is known as a coup contrecoup brain injury.
Dangers of Coup Contrecoup Brain Injuries After Oregon Trucking Accidents
There are many dangers after a coup contrecoup brain injury. The first and most obvious danger is physical damage to one or more sides of the brain. The second and lesser-known danger is swelling and brain bleeding. This can increase intracranial pressure faster than the body can decrease intracranial pressure. As a result, this can of compressed important brain tissue and restrict oxygen flow to other parts of the brain. If there is too high of intracranial pressure, brain tissue may even be ejected out the base of the skull and down the spinal canal. When this happens it is extremely likely that there will be a permanent brain damage if not wrongful death.
Victims Who Have Suffered Coup Contrecoup Brain Injury Should Call Our Oregon Trucking Accident Lawyers for Immediate Help With Their Case
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of a trucking accident or collision contact the Oregon Truck Accident Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take Trucking accident cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.