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Car accidents can cause traumatic brain injury due to the impact on the head. However, it's important to note that types of head injuries can vary.

As a personal injury attorney with years of experience, I will discuss eight common types of brain injuries that can occur due to car accidents. I will also provide information about your legal options related to these cases based on my experience.

Quick Summary

The most common brain injuries from car accidents include concussion, contusion, hematoma, edema, coup-contrecoup injury, diffuse axonal injury, penetrating injury, and anoxic brain injury.
Head injuries can also look and feel like other medical conditions, so getting a physical exam is essential.
Brain injuries from car accidents can be life-altering and require significant medical treatment.

8 Types Of Common Traumatic Brain Injuries From Car Accidents

The symptoms you encounter and how your life is affected will depend on the kind of brain injury you endure due to a car crash. In the following passages, I will cover the 8 most common brain injuries from car accidents.

1. Concussion

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can cause severe pain and serious health consequences [1]. It is caused by a blow to the head and is characterized by symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, and blurred vision.

Related Article: Serious Injury Away From Home

2. Brain Contusion

A contusion is a medical term used for a bruise. When a person experiences a blow to the head or jolt, it may result in a brain contusion due to the breaking of small blood vessels, essentially a bruise on the brain [2].

While some contusions may heal without treatment, they can also cause severe outcomes, like blood clots or bleeding in the brain. The symptoms of contusions are often similar to those of concussions.

If your head hits something inside a vehicle or shakes violently during a rear, frontal, or side collision, you may experience a contusion.

3. Skull Fractures

When a blow to your head is severe, it can break your skull, often seen with other brain injuries like contusions and concussions.

Some signs of a skull fracture include bleeding from your nose or ears, bruises on your head, and swelling where you were hit.

Any impact to the head during a car accident, whether inside or outside the car (such as being thrown through the windshield), can result in a skull fracture.

4. Acquired Brain Injury

An acquired or secondary brain injury can happen even if your head isn't hit [3].

It is caused by an issue in your body that stops enough oxygen from getting to your brain. This lack of oxygen causes your brain cells to die, so your brain may not function as well.

An acquired brain injury can occur in any car accident that reduces oxygen or blood flow to the brain.

5. Coup-Contrecoup

A coup-contrecoup brain injury occurs when the brain is injured in two places due to a hard blow to the head [4]. The first injury happens at the location of the impact, while the other side of the brain is injured when the brain strikes the inside of the skull due to the force of the blow.

6. Brain Penetration

Brain penetration refers to a severe injury where an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain. This injury can be fatal, and those who survive may experience lasting and serious effects.

7. Hematomas

A hematoma can occur inside the brain, outside the brain, or between the brain and the dura mater (the innermost protective tissue layer in the skull). It is a type of blood clot.

Three types of blood clots can occur in the brain:

Intracerebral hematoma (a blood clot inside the brain)
Epidural hematoma (a blood clot on the outside of the brain)
Subdural hematoma (a blood clot forming between the brain and the dura mater).

A closed head injury is when the skull remains intact, but the brain sustains damage due to sudden impact. This type of impact may not involve bleeding.

However, all three types of brain injuries can have serious consequences, and surgical procedures be necessary to prevent long-term or fatal risks.

8. Hemorrhages

Brain hemorrhages are traumatic brain injuries resulting in bleeding in the brain or the dura mater. Hemorrhages can be as serious as hematomas and often require surgical treatment.

"A car accident brain injury can cause changes and mood or personality, may alter the ability to focus and learn, or may cause permanent physical disability."
- Halina Radchenko, Personal Injury Attorney at Brooks & Radchenko

Why Should You Seek Compensation For A Brain Injury?

You should seek compensation for a brain injury because, depending on the severity, it can have a long-term and even permanent impact on your life.

Brain injuries can lead to physical impairments, cognitive deficits, behavioral changes, and more.

That is why doctors tend to subject you to extensive examinations, such as brain tests, to determine the cause of the head injury to eliminate any life-threatening danger.

A head injury from a car accident can cause significant and lasting harm with consequences. Compensation might be challenging, but partnering with a reliable lawyer can simplify it and help you receive the maximum possible compensation.

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FAQs

What Symptoms Can These Injuries Cause?

Depending on the severity and type of brain injury, symptoms can range from headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea to more severe effects like seizures, prolonged unconsciousness, and cognitive or motor impairments.

Why Is It Crucial to Seek Compensation for a Brain Injury After a Car Accident?

Brain injuries can lead to significant long-term health issues, disability, and financial burdens due to medical expenses and lost wages. Compensation can help cover these costs and provide financial security as you recover.

Can I Claim Damages if I Sustain a Brain Injury in a Car Accident?

Yes, if you've suffered a brain injury due to a car accident, especially if another party is at fault, you may be entitled to claim damages. This can include medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost earnings.

Receive The Compensation You Deserve

Suppose you or a loved one has suffered from traumatic brain injuries caused by a car accident. In that case, it's important to seek medical attention immediately and to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options.

Schmidt & Clark, LLP can help you get the compensation you need for medical bills and more. Contact us now for a free consultation to discuss your case and find out how we can assist you.

References:

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi#:~:text=Brain%20damage%20may%20be%20temporary,to%20several%20months%20to%20heal.
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/injuries-and-poisoning/head-injuries/cerebral-contusions-and-lacerations
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/acquired-brain-injury
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536965/

8 Most Common Brain Injuries Caused by Car Accidents