Suffering a Head Injury in a Car Accident
Car crash head injuries can range from minor to severe. They may be closed injuries, in which the skin is not broken, or open injuries where the skull is damaged or punctured. In a car accident, they may be caused by the driver striking the steering wheel, impact with the windshield, or with another part of the vehicle. Anytime anyone suffers a head injury in a car collision, they should go to the emergency room or doctor to have it assessed. Some car crash head injuries have delayed symptoms, so care is important right away to establish a record in the event compensation is pursued.
Types of Head Injuries
While the skull does a good job of protecting the brain in many instances, damage can appear even in a closed-head injury. Some car crash head injuries are dangerous, to begin with, while others may progress until they are life-threatening. Some of the common types of head and brain injuries are as follows:
Concussion
A concussion is caused when the brain strikes the inside of the skull and may cause few or severe symptoms. Most concussions show no outward symptoms, or they may be delayed in developing. Concussions may affect muscle coordination, memory, reflexes, speech, or balance.
Hematoma
Hematomas occur when blood clots or collects outside the blood vessels and may be serious if it happens in the brain, causing pressure to build. Since the brain is encased by the skull, it can cause serious problems and may have to be surgically drained. Symptoms of a hematoma can include headache, which worsens, confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, vomiting, and dizziness. More serious symptoms may include loss of consciousness or seizures.
Skull Fracture
A skull fracture can be caused by a blow to the head or impact from an automobile accident, among other reasons. The brain is not always injured if the skull becomes fractured but can be. In closed skull fractures, the skin remains unbroken. Other types may cause an indentation in the bone called a depressed fracture or protrusion of bone. Symptoms are bruising on the face, tenderness, and swelling, and bleeding from the ears or nostrils. Mild fractures may only require medication while others may need surgical intervention to repair.
Edema
Swelling in the brain is a serious symptom that can cause pressure to build up inside the skull. This, in turn, can interfere with the blood flowing through the brain and causes severe damage. Symptoms can include loss of consciousness, seizures, problems speaking, memory loss, headache, nausea, and others. In severe cases, medical intervention plus surgery may be required to treat such car crash head injuries.
Shear Injury
A shear injury, commonly called diffuse axonal, directly damages the cells of the brain but does not cause bleeding. The result is that the brain cells are damaged, so they no longer function. This type of injury can result in swelling, which increases the damage. This dangerous type of brain injury can cause permanent damage or lead to death. The main symptom is the loss of consciousness, which can last for hours. However, someone with a mild sheer injury may remain conscious, and symptoms may be varied. They may include headache, confusion or disorientation, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, and loss of balance, along with others. Immediate treatment is to reduce the swelling that can cause further damage. There are no surgeries to treat severe traumatic brain injuries of this type.
Rosemont Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Rosemont car accident lawyer. Suffering a traumatic brain injury can be a trying time for the individual and family members, and some may require lifetime care as a result. If the trauma was caused by a negligent motorist, the family may be able to obtain compensation to pay for their loved one’s care. If you or your loved one has suffered a TBI, I would like to offer you my compassionate, free, and friendly advice. You can reach me at (916) 921-6400 in the Rosemont area, or if you are calling from elsewhere, use my toll-free line at (800) 404-5400.
For 37 years, I’ve represented Rosemont residents and others in Northern California to obtain fair compensation in wrongful death cases, traumatic injuries, and all kinds of traffic accidents.
I am proud to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum as well as the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Find out more about my law practice by visiting the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/brain-inflammation-stroke-medical-3168269/
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