When most people think of vehicle accident injuries, they think of bruising, broken and dislocated bones, head injuries, whiplash, and other similar traumatic injuries. Many people do not consider strokes to be a common type of vehicle accident injury. However, strokes have various causes, and it is entirely possible for a person to suffer from a stroke as a result of a car accident. Here, our Chicago car accident lawyers want to discuss how a stroke could be caused by a car accident as well as whether or not a victim may be able to receive compensation for this type of accident injury.
Research Linking Car Accidents to Strokes
When most people think of strokes, they think of blood clots or high blood pressure. In general, most stroke events do not occur because of trauma. However, medical experts have found a causal link between ischemic strokes and physical trauma. Information from the American Stroke Association (ASA) says that an ischemic stroke occurs, “when a vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed.” They go on to say that these obstructions can reduce “the blood flow and oxygen to the brain, leading to damage or death of brain cells. If circulation isn’t restored quickly, brain damage can be permanent.”
A study by the American Heart Association (AHA) discovered that traumatic injuries to the neck or head can significantly increase the stroke risk of those under the age of 50. As described in Science Daily, those who suffer an injury to the neck or head face a three-fold risk of suffering in ischemic stroke.
There are various ways that a car accident in Chicago can increase the stroke risk of a victim. This can include the following:
- Whiplash incidents. Despite what many people think, whiplash is a serious injury that can occur anytime our bodies accelerate or decelerate rapidly. When the neck moves forward upon impact and then snaps back quickly, this can cause significant damage to the soft tissue and the arteries inside the neck area. This increases the risk of an ischemic stroke because of a possible reduction in the oxygen to the brain.
- Brain hemorrhages. Traumatic brain injuries can cause brain bleeds, which can also increase the risk of an ischemic stroke. There are various ways that the head can sustain an impact when a collision occurs.
- Blood flow disruption. In addition to whiplash, car accidents can also result in a disruption of blood supplied to the brain in various ways. This can include massive trauma elsewhere in the body.
How can a Crash Victim Receive Compensation for a Stroke?
Because a stroke is not an injury commonly associated with vehicle accidents, it may be more challenging for an injury victim to prove this type of injury to insurance carriers or in court. However, any person who has suffered a stroke as a result of a car accident should seek immediate assistance from a skilled Chicago personal injury lawyer. An attorney can use their resources to work with trusted medical experts who can conduct a complete investigation into the cause of the stroke. Using testimony from doctors as well as scientific evidence linking ischemic strokes to car accidents, an attorney will work diligently to secure maximum compensation for their client.