Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) from Accidents

Your head is always vulnerable in an accident because of its weight and unstable position atop your neck, as well as the fact that it is protecting a very important organ. The brain is exposed to significant trauma in a violent impact, leading to traumatic brain injury (TBI). One specific type is Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI), described as the tearing or shearing of axons, which are long connecting serve fibers in the brain. The tearing is a result of rotating and shifting of the brain, as opposed to striking against the skull.

Because accidents are the most common cause of DAI, it is important to understand your rights if you or a loved one was affected. An Oakland traumatic brain injury lawyer can provide details, and some additional details are useful.

Common Causes of DAI and Other Head Injuries: Many of these injuries are the result of accidents, including:

• Auto and truck crashes;
• Motorcycle and bicycle collisions;
• Pedestrian accidents;
• Slip and falls;
• Sports and recreation incidents;
• Shaken baby syndrome;
• Workplace and construction accidents; and,
• Boating collisions.

 With many of these incidents, DAI can occur even when the victim is wearing a helmet. 

Diagnosing DAI: Because it is a shearing action that causes DAI and tears nerve tissue, the damage to the brain is often difficult to identify. It may not show up on imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI. However, if a victim experiences loss of consciousness, health care providers will diagnose DAI. They use the Adams DAI classification scale to describe severity from 1 to 3, and those graded at level 3 are usually in a coma.

 Symptoms of DAI: There are signs of any head injury, such as a bruise or bump, that are considered primary because they complete upon the impact of an accident. Secondary DAI injuries begin to develop after the blow, the result of cellular, chemical, and tissue changes from the damage to the brain.

Options for Recovering Damages: Your legal remedy for most accidents is pursuing the at-fault party that caused the incident, but you will usually start by filing an insurance claim. Many of these cases settle by agreement with the insurer, but you will need to go to court if the company will not pay fairly. You may qualify to recover medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.

Speak to Our Oakland TBI Attorneys About Your Remedies

To learn more about your legal options after suffering head injuries in an accident, please contact Venardi Zurada, LLP in Oakland or Walnut Creek, CA. We can set up a no-cost case evaluation to discuss your circumstances and determine how to proceed.