Brain Injuries From Car Crashes
March is Brain Injury Awareness (BIAA) month, providing awareness for and about brain injuries. Brain injuries can occur from different kinds of events but are common in car crashes. There are two types of brain injuries: non-traumatic and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Brain injuries are caused by different impacts to the head and differ in severity. It is important to know what to look for in reference to head injuries and seek treatment when necessary.
Types Of Head Injuries
The primary types of head injuries affecting the brain are: concussions, contusions, penetration, diffuse axonal, coup-contrecoup, and skull fractures.
Concussions occur when the brain hits inside the skull due to a sudden change in movement or momentum. Concussions are the most common type of brain injury. In car crashes and serious falls, concussions can happen without losing consciousness or showing any symptoms.
Contusions occur when something impacts the head. In car crashes, items in a vehicle become dangerous and can cause serious injuries. Additionally, drivers hitting their head on the steering wheel or passengers hitting their heads on the dash can cause contusions to occur.
Penetration occurs when an object wounds the head. In addition to objects inside a vehicle, things like broken glass are concerns during serious car crashes. Injuries where an object penetrates the head can cause paralysis, serious blood loss, coma, or even become fatal.
Diffuse axonal injuries occur when the head experiences severe rotation or shaking. Diffuse axonal injuries do not cause bleeding, but the brain cells can be damaged and causes cells to not function properly. This kind of head injury is most common in high-speed car crashes.
Coup-contrecoup occurs when the brain jerks within the skull and damages both sides of the brain. This kind of injury is most common in roll-over car crashes.
Skull fractures can happen in rare instances. The skull is strong and difficult to break meaning that in many head injury cases, the brain will suffer the blow.
Symptoms Of Brain Injuries
It is important to look for symptoms of brain injuries. Symptoms of brain injuries include: headaches, lightheadedness, confusion, nausea or ringing in the ears. Severe head injuries may have additional symptoms such as: loss of consciousness, seizures, balance issues, disorientation, loss of muscle control, memory loss or problems with eyes.
If you are in an accident and start to suffer any of the symptoms listed, consult a doctor immediately. There are tests that doctors use to help detect brain injuries. It is important to detect brain injuries early and begin treatment. Treatment can range from medication to surgery depending on the severity of the injury.
If you are injured in a car accident and suffer a brain injury, you may need to contact an attorney to hold the other party responsible for their actions.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Source: Anderson & Cummings “5 Types of Head Injuries You Can Suffer From A Car Accident” and Healthline, “Head Injury“
