Most Common Fatal Injuries from Car Crashes Involve Head Trauma

Illinois has a car accident problem, and it’s only getting worse. While other states saw a decrease in collisions — and drivers in general — last year due to the pandemic, our lovely state was not so lucky. In March of 2020, for example, there was an astounding 14% increase in fatal crashes, even with fewer cars on the roads.

We all know what mistakes can lead to car crashes, and we all know the typical safety precautions drilled into our heads over the years, but what is it about them that makes them deadly? What are the injuries to fear? More importantly, if your loved one loses their life in a deadly collision, what can you do about it?

The dangers of head trauma from a car accident

It’s a gruesome fact, but plenty of injuries can lead to death — car accident or not. However, when it comes to specific car accident injuries, the most common cause of death is head trauma (or TBI – traumatic brain injury). Especially for adolescents and older adults, TBI is nothing to scoff about. While it’s true that some traumas are lesser than others (a concussion is very unlikely to kill you), any injuries involving the brain should be taken seriously and treated as a threat to your life.

We don't wear helmets when we drive. We don’t need to, thanks to the inventions of seatbelt and airbags. However, if either of those malfunctions or are improperly used, a car accident can essentially turn you and your soft head into a pinball. If you’re not thrown headfirst through the windshield, you’re slamming into metal or against glass or even your passenger. Any of these can cause a TBI, whether it be bleeding in the brain or swelling against your skull, which means any of these can kill you and your loved ones.

What can you do if your loved one dies in a car crash?

Losing a loved one to a sudden car accident is a traumatic, heart-wrenching experience. And, at the end of the day, you’re probably not going to care if it was brain injury or blood loss that killed them, because they’re still gone and you’re still left picking up the pieces. What you may — and should — care about, however, is what your next steps are going to be.

Death is, if we’re honest, expensive. When it’s caused by the negligence of another, the right attorney can help you by holding the negligent party (or his or her insurance company) accountable. If they’re able to prove said party’s fault, you could receive financial assistance for the following:

• Funeral expenses. Even during the pandemic, funerals are expensive, especially if the deceased had no life insurance.
• Loss of income. If your loved one’s income contributed to your family’s overall financial stability, or was the primary earner in the household, this compensation can address the losses.
• Medical expenses. This is most important in cases where the victim dies of their injuries after they have received medical treatment for it. Even if they don’t survive it, you’ll still be responsible for the bills. You shouldn’t be.
• Pain and suffering. No amount of money will bring your loved one back, and no amount of money will erase your grief. However, this sort of compensation can — at least — ease the way and allow you focus on healing and moving on instead of your wallet.

Car accident cases can be remarkably complex, and fatal ones even more so. Having the proper representation on your side can make it easier as long as you don’t wait too long to get started. If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent driving of another, you don’t need to go through this difficult process alone.

Here at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our experienced Chicago fatal accident attorneys are prepared to take your case on with the compassion and tenacity you and your family deserve. For more information on how we can help, call us today at 312-600-9585 or fill out our contact form. You deserve space and time to grieve without worrying about finances. Let us help make that happen.