What Is a Coup Contrecoup Brain Injury?

What Are the Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

The three categories of traumatic brain injuries are distinguished by where the damage occurs in relation to the impact from the accident. These categories are:

Coup Injuries

These injuries involve tissue damage at the site of impact. For instance, suppose that you hit your forehead on the steering wheel during an automobile collision. 

If the damage to your brain is directly below your forehead, this will qualify as a “coup” brain injury. 

With these injuries, physical damage may include: 

• Swelling of soft tissue
• Bruising
• Brain hemorrhaging 

When you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s crucial to consult a seasoned legal expert about the details of your case after you seek the medical care you need.

Contrecoup Injuries

This type of damage affects the brain tissue on the opposite side of the victim’s head from where the impact happened. These injuries may go unnoticed or be wrongly diagnosed. 

In a contrecoup head injury, the impact of the accident jostles the brain inside the skull. This violent movement causes the soft tissue of the brain to collide with the interior of the skull on the opposite side of the victim’s head. 

This type of injury is often the result of a rollover car crash. When contrecoup injuries are not properly diagnosed, they can result in lifelong symptoms and harm to victims.

Coup Contrecoup Injuries

This is the most severe type of traumatic brain injury. In a coup contrecoup injury, both sides of the victim’s brain are damaged.  

The side of the brain where the impact occurs sustains harm, and then the brain collides against the interior of the skull on the opposite side. In some cases, medical professionals will misdiagnose these injuries as only affecting one side of the brain. 

These catastrophic injuries often result in lasting or permanent brain damage for victims. No matter which type of traumatic brain injury you have sustained, make sure to speak with a legal professional to seek the damages you are owed.

Common Symptoms of Coup Contrecoup Brain Injuries 

This type of brain injury can result in severe symptoms following the initial incident. Often, symptoms do not appear immediately following the injury. Some victims do not experience signs of the injury until days or weeks later. 

It’s important to seek medical attention following a blow to the head, even if you do not believe you are injured. 

Some of the most common symptoms of a coup contrecoup brain injury include: 

• Dizziness
• Loss of memory or confusion
• Intense and persistent headaches
• Loss of consciousness
• Blurred vision
• Muscle weakness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Inability to concentrate or other cognitive problems
• Light and sound sensitivity
• Difficulty swallowing 

You should never ignore the possibility of a traumatic brain injury. Doing so can result in permanent brain damage and lasting health concerns.  

For legal help following a coup contrecoup brain injury, speak with a trusted personal injury lawyer. Victims have the right to seek financial damages when a negligent party has caused them harm.