Even minor accidents can result in serious injuries, but damage to the skull or brain can be particularly traumatic. Unfortunately, these are more common than you may think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are responsible for at least 14 percent of all brain injuries in the United States. The Brain Injury Alliance reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury-related death for children and young adults ages 5-24.
There are several types of brain injuries that may result from a collision. If you were in an accident and feel confused, suffer from headaches, have a sudden loss of balance regularly, or notice other symptoms of a brain injury, then you should seek medical help immediately.
These injuries can be particularly expensive to treat. They often require surgery and ongoing rehabilitation, but if they were the result of an accident, then the at-fault party may be responsible for your health-care bills.
At the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm, we can evaluate your case and determine if you may have valid grounds for a civil lawsuit. You may be entitled to lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages from the liable party. Call us today at 480-951-9700 to schedule a consultation with a Scottsdale personal-injury attorney.
In the meantime, read on to learn about four common brain injuries that may result from a car accident:
- Contusion
Contusions usually occur when there is a direct impact to the head. This is common in car accidents because many victims hit their heads on the steering wheel, side window or windshield.
If you suffer a serious contusion, then you may need to undergo surgery. A surgeon can remove the contusion and determine if there is any other underlying damage that you may have suffered.
- Concussions
According to Cleveland Clinic, concussions are some of the most common forms of traumatic brain injuries, with car accidents being one of the top causes.
They usually result from a direct blow to the head, but they can also occur after severe shaking or whiplash. A concussion does not necessarily involve an open wound. It happens when blood vessels in the brain stretch to the point that they damage other nerves.
Many car accident victims do not treat concussions with the necessary caution. Even if you did not lose consciousness, it is critical that you seek medical help if you notice any temporary or lasting dizziness or disorientation.
- Projectile Penetration
Your brain can suffer a severe injury if a projectile penetrates the skull. While these wounds are more common in violent crimes, they are also possible in car accidents. If an external object, such as a metal or glass fragment, penetrates your skull, then you will likely need surgery to remove it and to control bleeding in the brain.
- Diffuse Axonal
A diffuse axonal occurs when there is a strong and sudden rotation of the head. The injury is actually the tearing of connecting fibers (axons) as the brain moves inside the skull, according to Hopkins Medicine. This is a common car accident injury – particularly when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop.
A Scottsdale personal-injury lawyer from the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm can evaluate your accident and determine if you may have valid grounds for a claim. Call us today at 480-951-9700 to schedule a consultation.