Common Brain and Head Injuries Following a Car Accident
According to the CDC, Americans sustain about 2.5 million traumatic brain injuries (TBI) each year. About 14% of TBIs take place during car accidents.
TBIs can include many different types of car accident head injuries. From contusions and concussions to skull fractures and diffuse axonal injuries, you run the risk of sustaining any number of head injuries during a car crash in Florida. Even penetrating injuries that impact the head can occur during car accidents.
Find out more about these common car accident head injuries below.
Contusions
If you hit your head during a car accident, you’ll likely suffer a contusion at the very least. It can cause a bruise to form on or even inside your head.
In minor cases, a head contusion might not cause any symptoms. In major incidents, a contusion could put your life in jeopardy.
These signs may suggest you have a head contusion:
- Headaches
- Facial bruising
- Impaired senses
- Convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
Even though some contusions might seem minor, it’s always good to have car accident head injuries like this checked out. Hitting your head hard during a car crash can sometimes cause subdural hematomas, also known as bleeding in the brain.
Concussions
Millions of amateur and professional athletes sustain concussions each year. However, it isn’t just athletes who suffer concussions, as they’re also one of the prevalent types of car accident head injuries.
A concussion occurs when your head makes a sudden movement and your brain collides with the inside of your skull. It can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurry vision
- Balance issues
- Light sensitivity
- Hearing loss
- Confusion
Your head hitting the headrest can cause a concussion.
Skull Fractures
If your head hits the dashboard, the steering wheel, or even a headrest during a Florida car accident, you can sustain a skull fracture. This type of fracture takes place when your head hits something so hard that it causes your skull bone to break.
Symptoms of skull fractures include:
- Persistent headaches
- Bruising or swelling in the area of the fracture
- Bleeding from the eyes, ears, and/or nose
- Disorientation
- Slurred speech
- Seizures
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
Diffuse axonal injuries are serious car accident head injuries that lead to death in about 25% of cases. These injuries happen when the long connecting nerve fibers located in your brain tear.
The symptoms associated with diffuse axonal injuries are:
- Severe headaches and dizziness
- Neurological disruptions, including dysautonomia which can cause tachycardia (increased heart rate), tachypnea (shallow breathing), diaphoresis (excessive sweating), and hyperthermia (high body temperature)
- Excessive fatigue
- Balance issues
- Loss of consciousness
Diffuse axonal injury symptoms can also remain dormant for weeks, months, and sometimes even years before they begin to take a toll on car accident survivors.
Penetrating Injuries
Many items could potentially penetrate your skull and come into contact with your brain during a car accident. This includes:
- Broken auto glass
- Car parts
- Pieces of telephone poles, street signs, and other possible projectiles
- Items in the vehicle
These penetrating injuries can range from deep lacerations to fatal brain injuries.
Did You Suffer One of These Car Accident Head Injuries? Give Us a Call
No matter which car accident head injuries you sustained during a recent crash, you should explore the idea of filing a car accident claim against the responsible party. It could entitle you to collect compensation that you can use to pay for medical treatment throughout the recovery process. It may also account for lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Lyons & Snyder can explain your legal options following a car accident. Call us at 954-787-1819 to schedule a free consultation.
