The head can become injured in a number of ways during a car accident. The nature and severity of the injury will depend on many factors, including the area of the head that made impact or was struck, the force of the crash, and if you were wearing a seat belt at the time. If you had suffered a head injury in the past, this can also determine the nature and severity of a new injury suffered during a collision.
Some of the most common ways the head becomes injured in a car accident are the head striking the side of the vehicle, the head hitting the steering wheel, a hard object piercing or striking the head, and the head being forcefully shaken during a crash. Regardless of the cause of a head injury during a car accident, there are many different types you may suffer. Below, our Vermont car accident lawyer explains some of the most common of these.
Concussions
Concussions are perhaps the most common type of head injury suffered in car accidents.Concussions are classified as a type of traumatic brain injury. These injuries are a result of the brain being rapidly shaken inside of the skull and striking the walls of the skull. Even in very minor crashes, it is possible to sustain a concussion. Repeated concussions can also cause long-term cognitive issues, such as incomplete or delayed recoveries, brain dysfunction, and more. The symptoms of a concussion are not always easy to identify right away, as many show up only after a certain period of time.
Contusions
Contusions are another very common form of head injury suffered in car accidents. A contusion is a bruise on the brain and these injuries often appear in conjunction with other injuries to the head and brain. Like concussions, contusions are often a result of the brain striking the skull. Contusions are often classified as coup and contrecoup injuries. These injuries refer to when a contusion appears at the site of impact and another contusion appears on the opposite side of the brain. This occurs because the brain strikes one area of the skull before moving and striking the other side.
Skull Fractures
Skull fractures are a very serious type of head injury suffered during car accidents. These injuries refer to when the bones in the skull actually break, usually after there is a direct blow to the head. The severity of skull fractures, along with their location, can further complicate damage to the brain, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and intracranial bleeding. Most skull fractures are diagnosed with a CT scan, so it is imperative to seek medical treatment after any car crash to identify and treat this type of injury as quickly as possible and to avoid negative long-term impacts.
Hematomas
Hematomas occur when the impact of a car crash damages the blood vessels, causing blood clots to form under the skin. When hematomas appear in the head, it is the blood vessels within the brain that rupture and result in blood collecting in the skull. A hematoma may be a single injury or appear in conjunction with other types of head injuries. Hematomas are very serious and can result in severe brain damage if they are not treated right away.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
Another very serious type of traumatic brain injury arediffuse axonal injuries. These injuries are most often seen after crashes that occur at high speeds, as this when deceleration or other rotational forces cause the brain to rapidly move within the skull. This rapid movement causes nerve fibers down as axons to tear inside the brain. The damage is widespread, impacting a significant amount of brain tissue. Diffuse axonal injuries can result in confusion, coma, and long-term cognitive consequences.
Penetrating Injuries
Penetrating injuries happens when a sharp object penetrates the skull, often affecting the brain. Long pieces of metal frame from the frame of a vehicle, glass from broken windshield, and other objects can all cause penetrating injuries. Even if the object does not directly pierce the brain, it can still cause significant brain damage. There is a risk of substantial blood loss, and even the potential of consequences that can be life-threatening, causing death and severe brain damage.
Mild Head Injury Symptoms
It is rare that a head injury is ever classified as mild, but they can happen. Some of the most common symptoms of mild injuries are as follows:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Ringing in the ears
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Sleep changes
- Changes in ability to smell
Disorientation, confusion, and problems concentrating are other signs of a mild head injury.
Moderate to Severe Head Injury Symptoms
Any type of head injury can result in a loss of consciousness. While accident victims should seek treatment any time they suffer a head injury, it is even more critical if they lose consciousness. The above symptoms are present in cases of severe head injuries as well, but additional signs may also include:
- One or two dilated pupils
- Convulsions or seizures
- Inability to wake
- Numb or weak fingers and toes
- Slurred speech
- Fluid draining from nose or ears
- Coma
Agitation, confusion, combativeness, and other atypical behaviors may also indicate a moderate to severe head injury that requires immediate medical attention. Any time an injury is sustained after a car crash, it is vital that you seek medical attention. It is extremely difficult to determine the severity of a head or brain injury without professional medical help.
Our Car Accident Lawyer in Vermont Can Help After a Brain Injury
If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury in a car crash that was caused by someone else, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At Larson & Gallivan Law, ourVermont car accident lawyer provides free consultations so we can review the facts of your case and get started on it right away. Call us now at 802-327-8458 or contact us online to meet with one of our experienced attorneys and to learn more about how we can help.
