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Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury

Brain injuries are one of the most common types of injuries that victims sustain in commercial trucking accidents. They are also some of the most catastrophic types of personal injuries. There are many different types of brain injuries, with some being slightly disabling or temporary, while others are more severe with permanent or even life-threatening effects.

One type of brain injury that commonly occurs is diffuse axonal brain injury from a motor vehicle accident in New Mexico. In many cases victims have permanent disability or may even be wrongfully killed due to the significant brain damage sustained.

What is a Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury?

Diffuse axonal brain injury is a severe type of brain injury. This type of brain injury causes diffuse brain damage in more than one area of the brain. Axonal refers to the axons of the brain which transmits signals throughout the brain.

Diffuse axonal injuries, also known as DAI, cause a shearing of the axons in the brain, causing impaired transmission of signals through the brain. This is one of the most severe and catastrophic types of brain injuries a victim can sustain in a trucking accident.

Causes of Diffuse Axonal Injury

There are certain things that can occur during the accident that can lead to a diffuse axonal injury. The most common cause of a diffuse axonal injury is significant deceleration or accelerations causing the brain to bounce back and forth within the skull. Most of the time, it is caused by sudden stopping or colliding with another vehicle during the accident.

Some examples of a DAI in a motor vehicle accident include the following:

Symptoms and Effects of DAI

A DAI  brain injury often causes loss of consciousness.  It can lead to death or significant cognitive impairment. Some victims are left in a coma. Some of the most common symptoms of diffuse axonal injury includes the following:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Disorientation
  • Impairment imbalance
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sleeping for prolonged periods of time
  • Severe headache

Understanding Grade Severity

DAI are graded based on severity of the injury. Grading includes the following:

Grade 1

This is the mildest form of this type of brain injury. Only microscopic changes are noted on the white matter of the brain. However, there is no such thing as a “mild” TBI and all brain injuries are very serious.

Grade 2

Grade two refers to moderate DAI. Brain imaging shows significant lesions on the corpus callosum.

Grade 3

This is the most severe form of DAI, with there being lesions on the corpus collosum as well as the brainstem. Those who do survive this grade of diffuse axonal injury often experience a sustained loss of consciousness and suffer many long-term effects.

Did You Suffer a DAI from a Motor Vehicle Accident in New Mexico?

Call the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. at 505-883-5000 to discuss further.  We are not doctors and can’t provide medical advice, but we can refer you to top neurologists experts in DAI  for an examination.  We will give you the best advice possible so you can decide how to proceed.

We handle cases involving catastrophic personal injuries, including a diffuse axonal brain injury from  trucking accidents throughout  New Mexico. To learn more about how we can help you, call to schedule a FREE consultation by dialing (505) 883-5000.

We handle causes throughout New Mexico, including our main office in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Farmington, Roswell, Rio Rancho, Clovis, Hobbs, Tucumcari, Santa Rosa,  Silver City, Deming, Grants, and Gallup.  Our main office  is located in Albuquerque,  but we can meet you anywhere in the state.  We also have a second trucking accident office in California, serving those in Ontario, the  Inland Empire and San Bernardino County, as well as those who have been catastrophically injured or wrongfully killed through California.

Author Information

Written by Mark J. Caruso, the lead attorney at Caruso Law Offices, PC. He is licensed in NM, CA and AZ. He is a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, Top 10 Truck Accident Attorneys, Top 3 Personal Injury Attorneys in NM, and Multi Million Dollars Club.

Attorney Mark Caruso has specifically represented clients with brain injuries caused by a tractor-trailer’s high speed rear-ending of  a passenger vehicle. Once recent crash occurred on Interstate 40 near Tucumcari.  This case was settled for every penny of insurance paid by the trucking company’s  insurance company.

Our experienced and compassionate team knows how to prove liability while also substantiating  your damages claim, ensuring that victims and their families recover the compensation that they deserve for a TBI. To learn more, schedule a FREE consultation with our team today.