Types of Brain Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

 Posted on August 09, 2023 in Catastrophic Injuries

One of the most serious injuries that people can sustain in car accidents is a brain injury. In fact, car accidents are one of the leading causes of brain injuries, causing different degrees of damage to the brain, depending on the force of the crash impact and other circumstances of the accident.

What Are Some Ways the Brain Can Be Injured in a Crash?

One of the most common causes of brain injuries in a car accident is when the head of the driver or passenger makes an impact on the dashboard, windshield, or steering wheel. This often occurs if the vehicle comes to a sudden stop and the person’s head – which is unrestrained – strikes one of these hard surfaces.

A person can also suffer a brain injury if their head and neck are jerked back and forth during the crash impact. This whipping motion often results in whiplash, but it can also cause the brain to rotate within the skull, causing damage to brain tissue. This is referred to as a rotational or acceleration-deceleration injury.

Another common cause of car accident brain injury is when an object or debris is thrown during the crash that penetrates the individual’s skull, which causes a direct injury to the brain and potentially significant trauma.

Severity of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can range from mild to severe; however, even a mild brain injury can result in long-term medical issues. Some of the most common types of brain injuries include:

• Intracranial Hemorrhage – Bleeding in the skull can occur from the crash impact. Subdural hematomas, epidural hematomas, and intracerebral hemorrhages are types of intracranial bleeding that can be life-threatening and result in fatalities.

• Skull Fractures – Car accidents can also result in skull fractures. These breaks can lead to brain injuries if fragments of bone pierce brain tissue.

• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) – DAI involves damage to nerve fibers located in the brain as a result of the forces during impact. DAI can result in severe and long-lasting cognitive and motor impairments.

• Concussion - A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury usually caused by a direct blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and body. Concussions can lead to temporary cognitive impairment, headaches, dizziness, and memory problems.

• Contusion – A contusion is a bruise or bleeding to the brain's surface. This is usually a result of some type of direct blow or impact to the head. Depending on the seriousness of the contusion, the person may end up dealing with neurological issues.

Contact a Rolling Meadows, IL Car Accident Attorney

It is important to note that injuries to the brain are not always apparent immediately following a crash. In many cases, there is a delay in symptoms and by the time signs of an injury do appear, the situation could be dire. This is why it is critical for anyone involved in a crash to seek medical attention immediately.

If you have suffered an injury, call Newland & Newland, LLP at 847-797-8000 to schedule a free consultation with one of our seasoned Arlington Heights, IL brain injury attorneys to find out what legal options you may have.

Source:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/traumatic-brain-injury