If you’ve watched TV shows or movies related to criminal justice or medicine, you’ve probably heard the term “blunt force trauma” before. Often, it is said when an expert is describing a particular type of injury to a patient or a corpse. An automobile accident attorney in Indiana would likely utter this phrase several times while fighting for an injured client in court.

What is Blunt Force Trauma

Blunt force trauma refers to physical trauma to the body resulting from injury, impact or an attack. It is the initial trauma that can lead to other injuries such as broken bones or a concussion. During a car accident, you may experience blunt force trauma that causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can result in permanent disability or death. If so, you need an Indiana automobile accident attorney to represent you.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury

A TBI usually results from an external force. Brain trauma is typically caused by abrupt acceleration or deceleration of the brain inside the skull as a result of sudden movement and/or impact, both of which are commonly experienced in collisions. In a TBI, the brain’s soft tissue absorbs the force, which disrupts normal brain function and results in mild to severe physical, social, emotional, behavioral and/or cognitive effects. According to the Center for Disease Control, 30% of all injury-related deaths are due to TBIs, with 14% of these caused by car accidents. Fatal TBIs are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 5 and 24. Non-fatal TBIs are the leading cause of hospitalization for those between 15 and 44.

Why You Need Legal Representation

Car accident-related TBIs may permanently alter your quality of life. If you’ve experienced a TBI from a collision, you need to consult a medical professional to properly assess the extent of the injury and determine what treatment is available. You also need a licensed automobile accident attorney in Indiana to fight for your rights and any compensation you are owed.

Don’t navigate the aftermath of an accident alone. If you’ve been injured, contact Potts Law at (317) 951-0087 or fill out the online contact form.