Using advanced brain imaging and biomechanical analysis, we uncovered the hidden effects of a traumatic brain injury—and secured a $280,000 settlement.
The Incident: An Unexpected Collision
On March 9, 2021, our client was waiting at a red light in DeKalb, Illinois, when his Van was unexpectedly struck from behind by a Ford Super Duty. Witnesses described the collision as a gentle tap with only minor visible damage to the vehicles. However, for our client, this seemingly minor event instantly transformed his life. Immediately disoriented and with his head snapping violently backward, what initially appeared to be an insignificant accident rapidly evolved into a severe and lasting traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The Problem: Hidden Injuries in Minor Collisions
There is a common misconception that serious injuries must always correlate with significant vehicle damage. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding can obscure severe internal injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries, which may not be apparent immediately. For our client, despite minimal external damage, the collision had caused substantial internal harm. His brain function had been disrupted, leading to persistent cognitive, psychological, and physical symptoms. His case highlights the crucial necessity of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to accurately diagnose hidden injuries and firmly link them to the incident.
In the weeks and months following the crash, our client began to experience a range of debilitating ailments. He reported frequent headaches, episodes of lightheadedness, and persistent neck pain. More concerning were the cognitive changes—difficulty remembering simple things, trouble finding words during conversations, and a noticeable slowing of his mental processing. These symptoms disrupted his daily life and professional responsibilities, and they were accompanied by emotional challenges including anxiety, depression, and a sense of being constantly on edge.
These symptoms are consistent with post-concussion syndrome (PCS), a condition that arises after a traumatic brain injury, often classified as ‘mild’ based on initial imaging or impact severity. However, the long-term effects can be anything but mild.
The Approach: Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary Analysis
To reveal the full extent and causation of our client’s injury, Cronauer Law engaged an interdisciplinary team of experts. Neuropsychological assessments were the initial critical step, uncovering significant cognitive deficits, including memory impairments and slower information processing speeds. Psychological evaluations revealed anxiety, depression, and fatigue consistent with Post-Concussion Syndrome, directly linked to the trauma from the collision.
Advanced neuroimaging techniques further validated these findings, providing objective and quantifiable evidence of internal brain damage. Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging (SWI) identified microscopic hemorrhages indicative of trauma, while Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) demonstrated significant disruption to the integrity of our client’s brain white matter pathways. These advanced imaging results were supported by NeuroQuant analysis, which quantitatively confirmed brain tissue loss consistent with traumatic injury.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) measures how water molecules move along brain tissue. Because water diffuses more easily along intact axon bundles than across them, DTI lets us infer the orientation and integrity of the brain’s white-matter tracts.
In a typical color FA map:
• Color hue encodes the dominant diffusion direction (e.g., red = left-right, green = anterior-posterior, blue = superior-inferior).
• Color brightness/intensity reflects the degree of directional preference (Fractional Anisotropy).
Areas where the hue pattern is disrupted or the FA value drops may indicate micro-structural injury (e.g., axonal shearing after trauma). However, DTI does not directly visualize electrical activity; it provides an indirect structural marker that must be interpreted alongside other sequences, clinical examination, and, when available, quantitative tractography metrics
Finally, biomechanical and accident reconstruction specialists provided essential insights into the physics of the incident, clearly demonstrating that despite the low-speed nature of the collision, the forces exerted upon our client were sufficient to cause traumatic brain injury. Through meticulous calculations, experts confirmed that the rotational and linear accelerations our client experienced were consistent with thresholds known to cause TBI.
The Result: Integrated Evidence for Effective Advocacy
By integrating findings from neuropsychological assessments, advanced neuroimaging, and biomechanical analyses, Cronauer Law constructed a compelling narrative demonstrating the true impact of the collision on our client. The collective evidence left no room for doubt: despite the minor external damage to the van, our client had sustained a profound traumatic brain injury directly linked to the incident. This multidisciplinary approach not only clarified the nature and severity of his injuries but also significantly strengthened his legal position, resulting in a $280,000 settlement that provided much-needed relief and recognition of the harm he suffered.
About Cronauer Law
Cronauer Law specializes in personal injury litigation, strategically leveraging advanced scientific methodologies and expert analysis to effectively advocate for clients facing hidden or underestimated injuries.