A traumatic brain injury can change everything in an instant. One moment you are driving home from work, and the next you are dealing with headaches, memory problems, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties that did not exist before the crash. According to the CDC, there were over 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2021 alone, and motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes. In Minnesota, the Brain Injury Alliance reports that approximately one in four adults with a TBI is unable to return to work within a year of the injury. These are not minor setbacks. They are life-altering events that demand serious legal attention.
How TBIs Happen in Accidents
A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden force causes the brain to move inside the skull, damaging brain tissue. This can result from a direct blow to the head, a violent jolt of the body, or rapid acceleration and deceleration, which is exactly what happens in many car accidents.
The most common accident-related causes of TBI include high-speed vehicle collisions, where the occupant’s head strikes the steering wheel, window, or headrest; truck accidents, where the sheer force of impact from a commercial vehicle causes severe head trauma; motorcycle and bicycle crashes, where riders lack the structural protection of an enclosed vehicle; pedestrian accidents, where the force of being struck by a car often results in the head hitting pavement; and slip and fall incidents, particularly among older adults who fall on ice, wet surfaces, or uneven flooring.
Not every TBI involves a visible wound or loss of consciousness. Many concussions, which are classified as mild TBIs, occur without any external sign of injury. A person may walk away from an accident feeling shaken but otherwise fine, only to develop symptoms hours or days later.
Recognizing the Symptoms
TBI symptoms range widely depending on the severity of the injury. Mild TBIs may cause headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light or noise, irritability, and short-term memory problems. Moderate to severe TBIs can produce persistent vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, loss of coordination, confusion, and dramatic personality changes.
One of the most dangerous aspects of brain injuries is that symptoms can be delayed. A person may decline a trip to the emergency room after a crash because they feel fine at the scene, only to experience worsening symptoms over the following days. This delay creates two problems: it puts your health at risk, and it gives the insurance company an opening to argue that the injury was not caused by the accident.
If you have been involved in any accident where your head was struck or your body was violently jolted, seek medical evaluation immediately, even if you feel normal.
Why TBI Cases Are Worth More
Brain injuries consistently result in some of the highest settlements and verdicts in personal injury law, and for good reason. The costs associated with a TBI extend far beyond the initial emergency room visit. They can include ongoing neurological care and follow-up imaging, cognitive rehabilitation and speech therapy, psychological treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, lost income during recovery and potentially reduced earning capacity if cognitive function does not fully return, home modifications and in-home care assistance, and the profound impact on relationships, independence, and quality of life.
A person with a moderate TBI may need years of treatment. A person with a severe TBI may require lifelong care. These future costs must be accounted for in any settlement or verdict, which is why working with an attorney who understands how to value brain injury claims is critical.
Proving a TBI in a Personal Injury Case
Insurance companies frequently downplay brain injuries, especially mild TBIs, because objective proof can be harder to establish than with a broken bone shown clearly on an X-ray. Building a strong TBI claim requires detailed medical documentation, including CT scans, MRIs, and neuropsychological testing that measures cognitive function before and after the injury.
Testimony from treating neurologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists helps establish the diagnosis, the connection to the accident, and the expected course of recovery. Statements from family members and coworkers who have witnessed changes in your behavior, memory, and personality add a human dimension that medical records alone cannot provide.
The firm’s existing brain injury practice area page provides additional detail on how these cases are handled in Minnesota.
Get Help After a Brain Injury
If you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident in Eagan, St. Paul, or anywhere in Minnesota, do not wait to get legal advice. The evidence that supports a TBI claim can deteriorate quickly, and early intervention gives your attorney the best chance to build a case that reflects the true cost of your injury. Contact Bennerotte & Associates for a free consultation.
