Too often Orlando car accidents result in serious head trauma and brain injury. As Orlando car accident lawyers, we have seen significant brain injury occur without an individual’s head striking anything. In a car accident, the occupant’s head gets thrown forward and back, resulting in movement of the brain within the skull. As a result, the rapid acceleration/ deceleration of the brain causes diffuse axonal injury. That is, the brain’s movement within the skull causes a shearing or tearing of the brain’s nerve cells.

In cases where air bags deploy there is further risk of brain injury. While air bags save lives, they can also cause or exacerbate a brain injury. The powerful explosion of the air bags can generate a significant blow to the face and head. While the head may not suffer any fracture, the explosive force can cause the same type of movement injury to the brain as it strikes the skull and tears nerves cells. Tragically, such brain injury can cause can cause significant neurological symptoms.

So, when a car accident involves the deployment of airbags striking the occupant’s face and head, careful medical monitoring and evaluation is required. The injury and symptoms may manifest slowly as the effects of the brain trauma develop. Sadly, many individuals suffer permanent, cognitive impairment and other difficulties.