Client Victory: High-Speed Crash Causes Loss of Consciousness and Traumatic Brain Injury
Serious crashes do not always leave visible injuries. In this client victory, a high-speed collision caused loss of consciousness and a traumatic brain injury that initially went undetected by standard imaging. Through careful symptom tracking, advanced diagnostics, and persistent advocacy, our legal team was able to secure full insurance recovery for our client and, just as importantly, help her obtain answers about her injury.
How the Accident Happened
Our client, referred to as S.F., was a 36-year-old stay-at-home mother. Early one morning, while stopped at a red light, she noticed a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed from her left. Moments later, the impact occurred.
The collision caused S.F. to lose consciousness. When she regained awareness, emergency responders had to pry open her vehicle door to remove her. She was experiencing intense pain on the left side of her body and was transported to the hospital.
Initial Medical Findings
At the emergency room, S.F. was placed in a neck brace and underwent full CT imaging. While no fractures were identified, she was diagnosed with a closed head injury, a term commonly used to describe concussive trauma.
In the days following the crash, she was largely confined to bed and began experiencing symptoms that were new and alarming.
Ongoing Symptoms and Treatment
As treatment progressed over the next several months, S.F. continued to suffer from symptoms that included:
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurry vision
- Severe headaches and migraines
- Neck and back pain
- Muscle spasms
- A herniated disc in the lumbar spine
She sought care from multiple providers, including chiropractic care, medical doctors, and pain management specialists. She also received injections to address her lower back pain.
Despite treatment, her neurological symptoms persisted.
Identifying the Traumatic Brain Injury
Because her symptoms continued well beyond the expected recovery period for a simple concussion, our legal team closely monitored her condition using structured brain injury symptom checklists at regular intervals.
When symptoms persisted past the 90-day mark, a referral was made for advanced diagnostic testing. S.F. underwent Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) at a specialized brain injury facility.
DTI is an advanced form of MRI that evaluates how water moves through the brain’s neural pathways. Unlike standard imaging, it can identify microscopic damage to brain tissue and provide objective evidence of traumatic brain injury.
The results confirmed permanent brain injury, directly linked to the collision.
Legal Resolution
Although the case required educating insurance adjusters about traumatic brain injuries and DTI technology, the claim was resolved without filing a lawsuit.
The liability policy was fully exhausted, and additional recovery was obtained through underinsured motorist coverage. In total, all available insurance funds were recovered, resulting in a settlement in the tens of thousands of dollars for S.F.
What This Case Shows
This case highlights several critical points:
- Loss of consciousness is a serious red flag after a crash
- Standard imaging may not detect brain injuries
- Persistent symptoms matter and must be tracked
- Advanced diagnostics can provide objective proof of injury
- Proper diagnosis alone can be a major victory for clients
For many brain injury victims, finally understanding what is causing their symptoms is just as important as financial recovery.
Here When Answers Matter
At Shane Smith Law, we take brain injuries seriously. We do not dismiss symptoms, rush cases, or accept explanations that do not match our clients’ lived experiences.
If you or a loved one suffered a concussion, loss of consciousness, or ongoing neurological symptoms after a crash, it is critical to get the right evaluation and legal guidance.
Shane Smith Law
📞 980-999-9999
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