Understanding Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injuries Caused by 18 Wheeler Wrecks in New Mexico
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a type of brain injury which results in serious and debilitating injury to a person. Sometimes these effects are temporary, whereas other times these effects are permanent or even permanently deteriorating. A common cause of TBIs are motor vehicle accidents, particularly with large commercial vehicles like 18 wheelers, big rigs, tankers, semi tractor trailers, double trailers, and other box trucks. While there are many types of TBIs, one common type is known as a coup-contrecoup brain injury which is likely to occur in high-impact collisions, particularly rear-end collisions.
Victims of a New Mexico 18 wheeler wreck causing any type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly a coup-contrecoup brain injury, should call the NM Truck Accident Attorneys to learn how our experienced Albuquerque trucking accident lawyer can help you. These are very complicated cases to prove, particularly because of the difficult medical nature of a TBI and due to the additional regulations, equipment, and other applicable guidelines affects large commercial trucks. Call us to schedule a FREE consultation by dialing (505) 308-1556 today.
What is a Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury?
A New Mexico 18 wheeler wreck is very likely to cause a coup-contrecoup brain injury, particularly in a high speed crash such as on an interstate like I-10, I-25, or I-40. A coup-contrecoup brain injury is a type of injury where there is damage to two or more parts of the brain, usually on the opposite sides. This is why it is very devastating and debilitating.
This is because there is damage to the brain on the side of the impact or where the force is applied to the body, and to the opposite side of the brain of the initial impact. This is due to the anatomy of the brain. The brain sits in the protective skull and is suspended in cerebral spinal fluid. It is essentially floating in that protective shell. When there is a force applied to one side, the brain will slide in the skull and in the fluid. It will then strike the side opposite of the impact, and cause damage from that impact. The brain may then slide back to the initial impact site and sustain further damage.
This back and forth is what is commonly understood as a whiplash-like injury. This is why rear-end collisions are most likely to cause coup-contrecoup injuries because the force is coming from behind and launching the brain forward and back in the head.
The most serious complication of a coup-contrecoup injury is due to the swelling or bleeding in the brain from the trauma. The brain is enclosed in the skull which has a “port” down the spine at the base of the skull. This is where the spinal cord is. This space of the skull and down the spinal canal is a closed system, meaning there fluid therein stays in its open equilibrium; think of it like a fixed container. This system takes a long time to diffuse fluid out of the closed system through narrow channels.
However, if there is a brain injury causing swelling or bleeding into this closed system, particularly a coup-contrecoup injury where the bleeding is happening on two sides of the brain, the closed system cannot handle all of the fluid and pressure will increase and cause further injury to the brain or even wrongful death.
Victims of New Mexico 18 Wheeler Wrecks Suffering a Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury Should All Our Albuquerque Trucking Accident Lawyer
A coup-contrecoup brain injury is a very serious type of brain injury which will likely result in years of occupational therapy to help restore some daily independence, even if the brain is not permanently damaged. Where the brain is permanently damaged and such damage is severe, the debilitating conditions may be devastating for an individual and his or her family.
If a truck driver caused your New Mexico motor vehicle crash in Lordsburg, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Roswell, or anywhere else in New Mexico which resulted in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), call our experienced Albuquerque trucking accident lawyer to learn how we can help fight for your rights by dialing (505) 308-1556. You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.
