Car accidents in Illinois can cause a wide range of injuries for passengers, drivers and pedestrians. One particular type of harm that is a major area of concern is brain injuries. These can be very dangerous because they are not always obviously apparent immediately after an accident. That’s why it’s important for first responders and other medical professionals to learn how to detect brain injury as quickly as possible.

There are several different types of traumatic brain injuries. Concussions happen when the brain suddenly moves as a result of an impact or rapid deceleration, both of which are often seen in car accidents. A contusion is when the brain is bruised while coup-contrecoup refers to contusions that happen both on the side of impact on the opposite side. Penetration occurs when a foreign object penetrates the skull and damages the brain directly.

When evaluating whether or not a car accident victim has suffered a brain injury, there are many different things to look out for, including headaches, nausea, cognitive difficulties, light and sound sensitivity, coordination issues and more. Someone who experiences any of these issues should seek medical attention immediately. Mild symptoms, and even the absence of symptoms, should not be ignored.

Someone who experiences a traumatic brain injury because of a car accident may be eligible for compensation from the party responsible. Most lawyers will offer a free initial consultation to examine the circumstances of an accident and recommend a legal course of action. A victim may be able to seek damages for hospital bills, lost wages, rehabilitation and even pain and suffering. If a settlement isn’t possible, filing a lawsuit and going to court may be necessary.