Common Types of Head Injuries in Accidents

With the increase in media attention, traumatic brain injuries are some of the most commonly known head injuries that a person can sustain in an accident. However, there are many different types of head injuries that can cause serious, and sometimes lasting, trauma to an accident victim. Have you or a loved one suffered a head injury in a Nashville accident? If so, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates are here to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.

What Is A Head Injury?

A head injury is any type of damage that occurs to an accident victim’s scalp, skull, or brain. A head injury can range from something mild and temporary to severe and permanent. In the worst cases, a head injury can lead to the death of a victim. Head injuries are either classified as open or closed. An open head injury is also known as a penetrating head injury, where something breaks the scalp and skull of the victim and enters the brain. A closed head injury is one that does not break the scalp or skull but can still cause substantial damage.

Hematoma

A hematoma injury is a clotting of blood outside of the blood vessels and is also known as bruising. However, if a hematoma occurs outside the blood vessels of the brain it can lead to a pressure buildup in the skull that can cause a loss of consciousness or brain damage.

Hemorrhage

A hemorrhage injury occurs when there is uncontrolled bleeding inside an accident victim’s head. Hemorrhage injuries that are in the space between the brain and skull are known as subarachnoid hemorrhages, where a bleeding injury that takes place inside the brain tissue is an intracerebral hemorrhage.

 Skull Fracture

A skull fracture occurs when the bone that makes up a victim’s head is cracked, shattered, or otherwise broken. It is incredibly difficult to fracture the skull, but this type of injury makes it far more likely that a brain injury will occur.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is also known as a concussion, and it can range from mild to severe injury. TBI can be caused by a serious blow, jarring, or impact to the head that causes a brain injury. Concussions can lead to changes in a victim’s cognitive function, behavior, emotions, and physical capability. Repeated or severe TBI can lead to permanent damage.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

Finally, a diffuse axonal injury, also known as a shear injury, is a head injury that does not cause bleeding but does damage brain cells. The cells lose their ability to function, thereby affecting the victim’s ability to function. Diffuse axonal injuries can also lead to brain swelling, which can cause further damage. This type of injury can often lead to brain damage or even death.

Coup-Contrecoup Injuries

Head injuries are a common consequence of car accidents and other types of accidents. Traumatic brain injuries are among the most severe head injuries that can occur when a person is involved in a car accident. These injuries can occur when the force of the impact causes the brain to move inside the skull, injuring brain cells and possibly causing skull fractures.

Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to severe, depending on the degree of force that was involved in the car accident. Symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury may include confusion, headache, and nausea while more severe traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term disabilities or even death.

Skull fractures are another type of head injury that can occur in car accidents. This type of injury occurs when the force of the impact causes the bones of the skull to break. These injuries can be especially severe if the skull is fractured in multiple places and can cause severe bleeding and other neurological problems.

Other common head injuries that can occur in car accidents include concussions and contusions. Concussions are a type of mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and violently shaken, causing trauma to the brain. Contusions are bruises that occur when the head is struck by an object or when the head strikes a hard surface.

Head injuries can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening in some cases. It is important to be aware of the different types of head injuries that can occur in car accidents and to seek medical attention if any signs or symptoms of a head injury appear. Traumatic brain injury, severe head injury, and skull fractures are three common types of head injuries that can occur in car accidents, and it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of each so that you can get the necessary medical attention.

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Intracranial hemorrhages occur when there is bleeding within the skull cavity, often as a result of a head injury. This type of head injury can be caused by a skull fracture, a blow to the head, or a diffuse axonal injury. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this type of head injury in order to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Intracranial hemorrhages can range from mild to severe and can be potentially life-threatening. Symptoms of this type of head injury may include headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. In more severe cases, seizures, paralysis, and coma can occur. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms are present.

Diffuse axonal injuries are another type of head injury that can lead to intracranial hemorrhages. This type of injury occurs when the head is subjected to rapid acceleration and deceleration, causing the brain to move within the skull and damaging the axons. Symptoms of this type of head injury may include headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Contusions

Contusions are a type of head injury that can occur from a variety of sources. Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of contusions. When a person is involved in a car accident, they can suffer from contusions due to the force of the impact. Brain injuries from car accidents can range from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the accident. Symptoms of a contusion can include headache, confusion, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Contusions can also be caused by blunt force trauma to the head, such as a fall or a direct blow to the head. It is important to seek medical attention if you or someone you know has suffered a head injury, especially if it was from a motor vehicle accident.

Contusions can lead to a variety of complications that can range from mild to severe. Brain injuries from car accidents can cause serious neurological damage, including memory loss, cognitive impairment, and speech and language difficulties. Additionally, injuries from car accidents can cause skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, and other traumatic brain injuries. If a contusion is severe enough, it can result in long-term disability or even death. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention immediately following a motor vehicle accident.

Contusions can be serious and have long-term effects. It is important to seek medical attention if you or someone you know has suffered a head injury, particularly if it was due to a motor vehicle accident. Brain injuries from car accidents can result in serious neurological damage, so it is essential to take any head injuries seriously. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a contusion in order to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to protect yourself or someone you care about from the potential complications of a head injury.

Talk to Our Office Today

If you would like to talk with an experienced Nashville personal injury lawyer about your head injury case, call or contact Mitch Grissim & Associates today to schedule a free evaluation of your claims.