A crossroads collision in Arlington sent a vehicle careening into a utility pole, killing the driver almost instantly. Doctors speculated that a head injury may have delivered the fatal blow.
Police state that a man in a southbound Altima struck another vehicle attempting to make a left turn against traffic. Few other details were available, and none of the names were released.
This wreck was one of roughly a dozen roadway fatalities in Tarrant County during December 2019. Eight of those fatalities occurred on Interstate 30.
Car Crashes and Head Injuries
Brain injuries cause or contribute to about 50,000 deaths in America every year. Vehicle collisions are by far the leading cause of head injuries, mostly because these incidents combine all three common head injury causes:
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Trauma: Even the most advanced restraint systems can only contain so much force. In a sudden high-speed wreck, like an intersection wreck, a head injury is almost inevitable.
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Motion: Have you ever noticed that it’s possible to scramble an egg just by shaking it? A car wreck exposes the human head to basically these same forces. When the victim’s neck snaps back and forth, the victim’s brain slams against the inside of the skull.
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Noise: Sudden loud noises, like the explosion-like sound of a car crash, create shock waves which disrupt brain functions.
These injuries are permanent. Once brain cells die, they never regenerate.
Collision-related head injuries have some unique diagnostic and treatment issues. Frequently, doctors dismiss crash-related head injuries as shock from the accident. So, the untreated brain injury gets progressively worse. Additionally, as mentioned, head injuries are incurable. Therefore, a physical therapist must have a unique skill set to help victims deal with head injuries.
A Fort Worth personal injury attorney can connect head injury victims with highly-qualified medical professionals, usually at no upfront cost.
Damages in a car crash claim typically include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Additional punitive damages might be available as well, in some extreme cases.
The Last Clear Chance Defense
This legal doctrine often comes up in left-turn crashes. If it applies, the last clear chance loophole excuses negligent conduct.
Assume Juan attempts a left turn against traffic and he does not see Maria approaching from the other side of the intersection. If they collide, first responders would almost certainly give Juan a ticket for failure to yield the right of way. However, in court, if the insurance company proves that Maria had a chance to avoid the crash, she is legally responsible for the wreck.
Significantly, Maria must have the last clear chance and not any possible chance. Traffic, environmental, and other conditions often make emergency maneuvers, like sudden stops or lane changes, impossible to perform.
Car crashes often cause serious injuries. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Fort Worth, contact Herreth Law. Home and hospital visits are available.
