Head injuries are among the most common types of injuries suffered in car accidents. These injuries range in severity and have the potential to permanently affect your life.
However, auto accident victims may be entitled to compensation after suffering a head injury in a crash. Anderson & Cummings will provide you with a free, no obligation consultation to help you determine your legal options. Our Fort Worth car accident lawyers are skilled negotiators and will help you pursue maximum compensation for your claim.
Below, we provide information about five types of head injuries you may suffer from in a car accident. If you believe you have suffered a head injury, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
1. Concussion
A concussion is a type coof traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when your brain strikes the inside of your skull as a result of a sudden change in movement or momentum, such as during a car crash.
Concussions can range in severity and often include the following symptoms:
- Possible temporary loss of consciousness
- Headache or pressure within the head
- Amnesia about the accident
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Feeling dazed or light headed
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Fatigue
- Personality changes
- Difficulty concentrating
2. Contusion
A contusions is a bruise on the brain that typically results from a direct impact to the head. In a car accident, contusions can occur when the driver is struck by external objects or hits his or her head on fixed objects in the car upon impact, such as the steering wheel or a window.
Symptoms of contusions include:
- Cognitive changes
- Difficulty forming new memories
- Numbness or tingling in the affected area
- Difficulty balancing or coordinating
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty forming sentences
- Finding it hard to concentrate
3. Penetration
A penetrating head wound occurs when an external object penetrates your skull. Often, objects inside a vehicle become dangerous projectiles that could cause severe injuries.
Penetrating head wounds can be fatal and may cause serious complications, such as:
- Heavy blood loss
- Bleeding from the ears
- Seizure
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of movement or sensation in limbs
- Paralysis
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of bowel and bladder function
- Coma
4. Diffuse Axonal
A diffuse axonal injury to the head occurs due to a severe rotation or shaking. In a car accident, this injury can occur when the vehicle stops abruptly upon impact when the brain is not moving as fast as the skull. This type of head injury commonly occurs in high-speed car accidents.
A diffuse axonal injury leads to tearing of brain structures and may include the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Loss of consciousness
5. Coup-Contrecoup
A coup-contrecoup injury occurs when the brain jerks suddenly within the skull. This type of head injury is common in car accidents that are extremely violent or forceful, such as a rollover collision. The impact causes the brain to suddenly strike both inner sides of the skull, resulting in both sides of the brain being damaged.
Some of the most common symptoms of a coup-contrecoup head injury include:
- Bleeding in the brain
- Swelling in the brain
- Skull fractures
- Loss of consciousness
- Headache
- Seizure
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Memory issues
- Mood disturbances
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Tinnitus
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
If you have suffered a head injury in an automobile accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Anderson & Cumming’s Forth Worth personal injury attorneys will review your claim and determine which legal options may be available to recover compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. We do not charge clients upfront legal fees and only get paid if you do.
Call (817) 920-9000 or complete our Free Class Evaluation form now.