What to Know About a Head Injury in a Car Accident

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and the impact can cause significant damage to the body. One of the most concerning injuries from a car accident is a head injury, which can range from mild to severe. While some head injuries may be visible and obvious, others may not show symptoms until hours or days after the accident. This is why it’s important to seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine after a crash.

How Head Injuries Happen in Car Accidents

Head injuries can occur in many ways during a car accident. The most common cause is when the head strikes something hard, like the steering wheel, dashboard, or window. Even if the head doesn’t directly hit anything, the force of the collision can cause the brain to move violently inside the skull. This movement can lead to damage, even without visible wounds.

Injuries can also happen during different types of car accidents:

• Head-on collisions often force the head into the steering wheel or windshield.
• Rear-end crashes can result in whiplash, which forces the brain to jolt back and forth inside the skull.
• T-bone accidents, where another car hits you from the side, can cause the head to slam into the window or door.
• Rollover accidents are particularly dangerous, as they can result in multiple impacts with surfaces inside the car or even ejection from the vehicle.

Types of Head Injuries in Car Accidents

Head injuries in car accidents can be broken down into a few different types. Some are easy to identify, while others are harder to spot right away. Regardless, any head injury should be checked out by a medical professional.

• Concussions: A concussion is the most common type of head injury in car accidents. It occurs when the brain hits the inside of the skull. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Concussions can take weeks or even months to fully recover from.

• Contusions: These are bruises on the brain tissue, often caused by a direct blow to the head. A contusion can be mild or severe, and depending on its location, it can affect different parts of brain function, such as memory, speech, or movement.

• Coup-Contrecoup Injuries: This occurs when the brain is injured at both the point of impact and the opposite side of the skull. It’s like the brain gets bounced around inside the skull, and both sides suffer damage. These injuries are serious and can have lasting effects on cognitive and physical function.

• Diffuse Axonal Injury: This is one of the most severe types of head injury, resulting from the brain being twisted or torn. It can cause permanent brain damage and leave victims unable to think clearly, speak, or move properly. Many times, victims of diffuse axonal injuries are left in a coma or experience life-long disability.

• Penetrating Injuries: If something sharp, like glass or metal, punctures the skull, it can lead to a serious brain injury. These injuries often result in catastrophic damage and may be fatal.

Why Timely Treatment is Important

After any car accident, it’s important to get checked by a doctor, even if you feel fine. Head injuries, especially those that don’t cause immediate symptoms, can worsen over time. For instance, a small amount of bleeding in the brain may not show any symptoms at first, but it could lead to swelling, pressure on the brain, and permanent damage if not treated quickly.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after a crash, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion or memory loss
• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe headaches
• Trouble with vision or speech
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Seizures or convulsions

The Impact of Head Injuries on Your Life

The effects of a head injury can last for weeks, months, or even longer. Some people make a full recovery, but many are left with lasting effects. The severity of the injury depends on the type of head trauma, how quickly treatment is administered, and the overall health of the individual before the accident.

For those who suffer serious head injuries, rehabilitation may be necessary. Physical therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive therapy can help patients recover as much function as possible. However, some head injuries, particularly severe TBIs, may result in permanent disability, which can affect the ability to work, drive, or live independently.

Get Help Today

If you’ve suffered a head injury in a car accident, it’s important to get medical care right away. Even if you feel fine after the crash, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Head injuries can be serious and should not be ignored. Your doctor can assess the severity of your injury and start the treatment you need to recover. If your injury was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us today at (800) 790-5641 for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer.