The majority of head injuries, ranging from minor to serious, happen in car accidents. The jarring motion or abrupt impact of a collision typically causes these injuries.
If victims notice head injuries after a car accident, they should be aware of the potential risks and promptly seek medical assistance. Dealing with these sorts of damages from auto accidents requires you to find a good car accident attorney who can navigate the legal complexity and secure fair compensation. Particularly when dealing with insurance companies and medical bills, the experience of a qualified lawyer can make a big difference in managing the fallout from an accident.
Here, we discuss some of the most common head injuries that car accident victims could sustain.
Some Common Head Injuries from Car Accidents
Discover the several forms of automobile accident head injuries below.
1. Concussion
A concussion is a commonly occurring trauma to one’s brain that causes damage upon impact with the skull. In an auto accident, a concussion just requires a blow to the head.
The following are concussion symptoms:
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Amnesia,
• Tiredness
• Slurred speech
• Dizziness
• Memory issues
• Trouble focusing
• Insomnia
• Consciousness loss.
Concussions are dangerous because symptoms may not appear immediately. Therefore, after any kind of head trauma, getting medical assistance is essential to avoid long-term consequences.
2. Fracture of the Skull
A skull fracture is a break in the bone encircling your brain, known as the skull. Medical therapy for minor fractures and emergency surgery for severe fractures define the course of treatment for a skull fracture.
A skull fracture manifests as follows:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Confusion
• Coordination problems
• Bleeding
• The area of the head where the injury occurred undergoes color changes.
Other consequences include contusions, infections, paralysis, and blood clots.
3. Brain Contusion
A brain contusion is a bruise to the brain. Trauma to one’s brain after a car collision causes a bruise, just as banging your shoulder into the side of the wall does.
The following symptoms are included:
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Coordination loss
• Blurry vision
• Slurred speech
• Coma
• Consciousness loss
Minor to severe brain contusions might occur during a car accident. Accurate treatment requires a proper diagnosis.
4. Penetrating Injury
A penetrating head injury, also known as an open head injury, occurs when the skull fractures, leaving the brain exposed to an outside object that penetrates it.
Common causes include force trauma to one’s head, like what can happen during a vehicle accident.
Furthermore, a sharp object may also pierce your skull and brain. Broken glass shards, metal, automobile bits, and other surrounding missiles could all penetrate the brain.
The biggest issue with these head injuries is the blood loss. Denying emergency medical assistance increases the likelihood of brain damage or even death.
5. Diffuse Axonal Injuries
When the brain suddenly moves within the skull, the nerve fibers—known as axons—tear and cause a diffuse axonal injury(DAI).
Unconsciousness is the trademark DAI symptom. Others are:
• Headaches
• Disorientation
• Trouble sleeping
• Coordination loss
Many patients with DAI go into a coma because it seriously damages the brain. Should they come to, they will be under heavy therapy.
6. Intracranial Hematoma
An intracranial hematoma occurs when the brain is bleeding. An automobile accident or a burst blood vessel in the brain can cause trauma to the head. Blood can collect between your brain and the skull, or within your brain itself.
Intracranial hematoma’s symptoms could take some time to show up. These symptoms include:
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Seizures;
• Paralysis
• Consciousness loss
There are three different types of intracranial hematomas:
• Intracerebral: This occurs when blood escapes inside the brain tissue.
• Subdural: Blood gathers between the dura mater (the brain’s outer layer) and one’s brain.
• Epidural: This occurs when blood gathers between the dura mater and the skull.
An intracranial hematoma can be fatal; therefore, quick medical attention is required when anyone suffers from it.