Common Head Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Car accidents, even seemingly minor ones, can result in serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, you may not even be aware that an injury has occurred. Regardless of how minor your symptoms may appear or feel initially, you should always seek medical care for yourself and any passengers right away. Head and brain injuries are common in car crashes and collisions, and the ramifications of your injuries can have long term impacts on you and your loved ones. The following is important information you need to know regarding these types of injuries, as well as potential symptoms you should be aware of if you or someone you care about is involved in an accident.

Types of Head and Brain Injuries

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head and brain injuries are one of the most common types of injuries suffered by people involved in a car accident. Known as the ‘silent epidemic,’ they occur as the result of a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, and affect roughly seven million people each year.

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) works to educate the community on the impacts caused by these injuries, while helping those affected to understand and live with their condition. According to the BIAA, common types of head and brain injuries include the following: 

• Concussion: Occurs when the head is jolted or shaken;
• Contusion: Occurs as the result of a bump or blow to the head, and may cause bleeding in the brain.
• Open Head Injury: Occurs as the result of blunt force trauma to the head, and may include skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, and nerve damage.
• Closed Head Injury: Occurs as the result of blunt force trauma, but while the skull is not fractured, these injuries can cause the brain itself to swell.  

Head and brain injuries can result in serious and permanent damage. If you suspect a brain injury, seek medical help immediately. 

Symptoms of Brain Injury

In the immediate aftermath of an accident as well as in the days that follow, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms that a head or brain injury has occurred. In some cases, while the symptoms are subtle, they mask a potentially life-threatening condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of head or brain injuries include the following:

• Difficulty speaking or forming thoughts;
• Problems comprehending what is being said;
• Memory problems, and having blank spots when it comes to details of the accident;
• Problems maintaining balance or with walking;
• Emotional outbursts, fits of anger, and excessive irritability;
• Moodiness and depression;
• Nausea and vomiting; and
• Problems sleeping, or excessive sleepiness.

Contact Our Experienced Will County Car Accident Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as the result of a car accident, contact Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC. today. Our experienced Toledo car accident attorneys understand the serious impacts your injuries can have and can advise you on how to hold responsible parties accountable. We are available to help; call or contact us online today for a free consultation.