March 21, 2025 | Reading Time: 6 min 
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range from mild to severe, requiring emergency medical attention and potentially causing life-changing damages. Regardless of the severity, TBIs should always be evaluated by a medical professional to help prevent long-term effects.
A TBI can happen at any moment, and if your injury was caused by another person’s negligence, having a trusted legal ally on your side can help you to properly navigate the legal process. Whether your TBI resulted from a car accident, slip and fall, or motorcycle crash, the attorneys at Cellino Law have the experience necessary to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Penetrating Brain Injuries vs. Closed Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury occurs when an external force impacts the brain. This is different from acquired brain injuries, which result from internal factors like oxygen deprivation or stroke. In the U.S., falls and car crashes are the leading causes of TBIs, affecting thousands of people each year.
There are two main types of TBIs: penetrating and closed. A penetrating brain injury occurs when an object pierces the skull and damages the brain. These injuries often are severe and require immediate medical attention.
Closed brain injuries, which are more common, happen when a sudden blow or jolt to the head causes trauma without penetrating the skull. This can happen in car crashes, falls, or sports injuries. Even though the skull remains intact, the brain can still suffer significant damage, including bruising, swelling, or internal bleeding. Both types of TBIs can have serious consequences, so it’s important to seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.
Concussions
Concussions are often viewed as minor TBIs, as they are one of the most common forms of TBIs, but they should never be taken lightly. These injuries occur when the brain is violently jolted inside the skull, causing nerve fibers to stretch or become damaged. While many people associate concussions with sports, they also frequently occur in car crashes, slip-and-fall accidents, and workplace accidents.
The symptoms of a concussion can vary but include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and mood changes. While most concussions heal within a couple of weeks, it’s important to be evaluated by a medical professional for an assessment and follow their guidance for a full recovery.
One of the greatest risks associated with concussions is Second Impact Syndrome (SIS). This occurs when someone sustains a second concussion before the first one has fully healed. SIS can cause the brain to swell rapidly, which can be fatal or cause permanent disabilities. This is why it’s so important to allow yourself enough time to recover, even if your concussion symptoms are mild.
Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injuries
A coup-contrecoup injury happens when a sudden impact causes the brain to hit one side of the skull and then rebound, striking the opposite side. This type of TBI is common in car crashes, especially rear-end collisions, where the force of the crash makes the head whip forward and then snap back.
The effects of coup-contrecoup injury can be serious. Depending on the severity, a person may experience cognitive difficulties, memory problems, trouble with coordination, and even personality changes. In some cases, symptoms may not appear right away, which is why seeking immediate medical attention is so important. Left untreated, these injuries can lead to long-term complications that affect daily life.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
A Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) is one of the most severe types of TBIs. It happens when the brain moves violently within the skull, causing nerve fibers to tear. This type of injury is common in high-speed car crashes and severe falls.
Because DAIs affect multiple areas of the brain, the damage can be extensive. Many people with this injury lose consciousness immediately and may fall into a coma. Recovery is often slow and unpredictable, with lasting effects on movement, speech, memory, and cognitive function. In many cases, ongoing medical care and rehabilitation are necessary to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Intracranial Hematomas
An intracranial hematoma occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to internal bleeding. The blood may pool inside the brain tissue or in the space between the brain and the skull, creating dangerous pressure inside the head. This condition is often caused by a severe blow to the head, such as in a car crash or fall.
Symptoms may appear immediately, but in some cases, they take hours or even days to develop. These can include headaches, confusion, dizziness, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. As pressure builds, the risk of permanent brain damage increases. Quick medical intervention is important to prevent further complications and improve the chances of recovery.
Brain Contusions
A brain contusion is a bruise on the brain itself, often caused by a direct hit to the head. These injuries often occur in serious falls and car crashes. Because contusions involve bleeding and swelling in the brain tissue, they frequently appear alongside other TBIs, such as hematomas or coup-contrecoup injuries.
A major concern with brain contusions is swelling, which can increase intracranial pressure—the pressure inside the skull caused by fluids and brain tissue. If intracranial pressure rises too much, it can restrict blood flow to the brain and cause further damage. Severe contusions may require surgery to reduce swelling and prevent long-term complications.
Brain Hemorrhages
A brain hemorrhage, also called a brain bleed, occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain tissue or the space around the brain. Unlike a hematoma, which is a localized collection of blood, a hemorrhage can spread quickly and disrupt brain function more rapidly.
Symptoms of a brain hemorrhage include severe headaches, nausea, vision problems, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, and difficulty speaking or understanding speech. Because hemorrhages can cause oxygen deprivation and nerve damage, they require immediate medical attention.
Contact Cellino Law Today
A traumatic brain injury can happen unexpectedly, whether from a car crash, a fall, or another sudden impact. Taking the right steps afterward is important for your recovery and well-being.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact the experienced team of attorneys at Cellino Law today at 888-888-8888 or fill out our web form for your free, no-risk case consultation.
Content checked by the personal injury attorney Ross Cellino. As a family man and a trial attorney, I pride myself on winning cases and serving the community. With over 35 years of experience, I understand the function of a jury, how juries arrive at conclusions, and the role that the jury plays in administering justice. I know how to win cases. You can find us in Manhattan, Buffalo, Melville, Rochester, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and other locations throughout New York.