Proving Invisible Injuries in New York Car Accident Cases

Traumatic brain injuries, which are especially common in car accident cases, are catastrophic head injuries where the amount of blunt force to the head is extremely intense.  This causes the brain to actually move about inside the head and make direct contact with either the front or back of the skull, potentially resulting in severe long-term damage to the injured plaintiff’s brain and cognitive functioning.

A concussion is the most common type of TBI, and TBIs can result in a variety of serious issues, including:

• • Cognitive impairments
  • Problems with memory
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Problems with balance and coordination

Both lay witness testimony and expert witness testimony are often necessary in proving the losses associated with traumatic brain injuries.  In many traumatic brain injury cases, the cognitive impairments are so serious that the injured person cannot testify on his or her own behalf.  In those cases, lay witnesses, such as family members, friends, or coworkers, can testify how, in their observation, the injured person’s work life, family life, and social life have changed as a result of the traumatic brain injury.

Experts such as doctors, physical therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists, can also testify firsthand about the nature and extent of the injuries sustained and the potential future impact on the injured plaintiff’s life, given his or her age, vocation, and activity level.