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Head and Brain Injuries from Colorado Lyft Accidents

Some of the most devastating potential injuries in a Colorado Lyft accident involve the head and brain. Like all vehicle accidents, the impact in a collision with a Lyft driver can be significant. When the brunt of that impact is to the head, the consequences can be life-altering.

Serious head or brain injuries could occur even in low-speed Lyft accidents. They can range from minor cuts to devastating brain injuries. In serious cases, these injuries can be fatal.

Whether you were injured as a Lyft passenger or struck by a driver using the app, you could have a viable claim for monetary compensation. If you have suffered a brain or head injury in a Colorado Lyft accident, it is vital to contact accidentdenver.com today.

Common Types of Head and Brain Injuries

Understanding the severity of neck and back injuries is an important step in taking on a Lyft accident claim. Below, we review common head and brain injuries starting with the least severe. It is worth noting that any injury to the head has the potential to be severe.

Lacerations

Cuts and bruises are possible on any part of the body. Serious lacerations to the head or face could leave lasting scars or disfigurement.

Concussions

Technically a traumatic brain injury, concussions are widely considered to be the least severe of these injuries. That does not mean they are minor; in fact, concussions can have permanent consequences in many cases. Concussions occur when an impact jolts the brain within the skull, causing damage.

Concussions can have an array of symptoms, many of which may not be immediately apparent. Concussions can lead to nausea, dizziness, chronic headaches, and even personality changes.

Contusions

A contusion is a bruise on the surface of the brain. This injury is much or serious than a skin bruise, however, as it involves bleeding under the surface of the brain. In some cases, a brain contusion can heal on its own. However, if the bleeding on the brain clots it could prove to be fatal.

Skull Fractures

A break in the bones surrounding the brain is known as a skull fracture. These injuries can occur with or without accompanying brain damage. Fractured skulls often include severe pain, bruising, and swelling. In certain cases, a fracture could involve fluid leaking from the ears or nose.

Diffuse Axonal Injuries

Diffuse axonal injuries, or DAI, share similarities with concussions. They involve a hard jolt to the brain, but the nature of the damage is different from a concussion. In a DAI, the jolt is hard enough to strain or tear the tissue connecting the brain to the spinal cord.

Coup-Contrecoup Injuries

Coup-contrecoup injuries are essentially two traumatic brain injuries in one. They occur when an object impacts the head with such force that it causes the brain to accelerate and strike the opposite side of the skull. This results in an injury at the point of impact and where the brain struck the skull on the other side.

Penetrating Injuries

Most of the injuries described above involve blunt force trauma. However, some of the most severe injuries involve a foreign object penetrating the brain directly. The impact necessary to pierce the skull and the brain together can have fatal consequences. While commonly resulting from gunshot wounds, penetrating injuries can also occur in severe Lyft accidents.

Challenges in Evaluating Compensation for Head and Brain Injuries in Lyft Accidents

The monetary compensation from a successful head or brain injury claim can be significant, but the amount could vary depending on how severe the injuries are. Given the nature of traumatic brain injuries, they are frequently severe.

Taking on a brain or head injury claim resulting from a Lyft accident shares similarities with most vehicle collisions. To recover compensation, you must establish that the Lyft driver or another party caused the crash through their negligence. Additionally, to recover damages you must prove them stem directly from these negligent acts.

One aspect of a Lyft accident claim that can be complex involves insurance coverage. While drivers are required to carry liability insurance for their personal vehicle, Lyft drivers often carry much larger policies paid for by the rideshare company. However, these policies are only in effect under certain circumstances. The amount of compensation available when a Lyft driver has a passenger in their vehicle is much greater than when they are seeking a rider, for example.

In many cases, Lyft's insurance company will claim their policy was not in effect when the facts dictate it should be. If your injuries are more than what the driver's personal insurance policy can cover, holding Lyft accountable could be the difference between obtaining the compensation you need and paying for your medical bills out of pocket.

How Courts Determine Compensation

Determining the compensation available from a head or brain injury is more complicated than other injuries in some cases. While skull fractures and penetrating brain injuries are easy to spot, it may not always be clear if you are suffering from a concussion or DAI. In these cases, the other driver's insurance carrier might claim you suffered no substantial injuries and are not entitled to compensation. Establishing the extent of your brain injuries can require the testimony of medical experts as well as an array of tests and other records.

If your claim is successful, there are several types of compensation that could be available to you. Medical bills are the most common example, but they only make up a part of the damages in a successful head or brain injury claim. Other examples include:

  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Disability
  • Mental anguish
  • Disfigurement

Working with a Colorado Lyft Accident Attorney

While taking on a head or brain injury claim is rarely simple, these cases often lead to significant financial compensation. This is vital given the expenses you might incur dealing with your injuries now and in the future. If you sustained a head or brain injury in a Colorado Lyft crash, contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation.

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