Common Brain Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

A car accident can result in a number of different injuries. Of all of them, damage to the brain is one of the most severe. Brain injuries are common in car accident cases. The head can bang against any part of the vehicle, damaging the brain, broken glass can penetrate the skull and brain, and the brain can start to bleed internally. These are just a few of the most common types of brain injuries suffered in car accidents. Below, our Baton Rouge car accident lawyer explains more.

Concussions

Concussions are by far the most common type of brain injury suffered in car accidents. A person can sustain a concussion when there is a direct blow to the head. This can cause the brain to shake inside of the skull, hitting the skull as it does. Many people think concussions are minor injuries, but they are not. Concussions have many concerning symptoms and they are as follows:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Confusion or memory issues
• Hearing, vision, smell, taste, or touch issues
• Loss of consciousness

Concussions are very serious, but they often do not show symptoms right away. It is for this reason it is so critical to seek medical treatment after any accident so a doctor can identify all of your injuries.

Penetrating Injuries

When a foreign object, such as a piece of broken glass, penetrates the brain, the situation becomes extremely dangerous. Penetrating injuries are usually limited to just one area of the brain. Still, they cause severe physical, emotional, and cognitive impairment. The most common symptoms of a penetrating injury are as follows:

• Vision problems
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty walking, or an inability to move
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Seizures
• Personality changes

Coup-Contrecoup Injuries

Coup-contrecoup injuries are also very common during car accidents. This injury is a result of one side of the brain hitting the opposite side of the skull, usually due to an external force. The nature of a coup-contrecoup injury results in damage at the initial site of the blow, as well as the opposite side where the brain hit the skull. The symptoms of a coup-contrecoup injury range from mild dizziness and headaches to cognitive impairments that are much more severe.

Acquired Brain Injuries

Unlike the above two injuries, acquired brain injuries are not caused by a direct blow to the head. Instead, they are caused by excessive bleeding in the brain or a lack of oxygen. When an accident results in an acquired brain injury, it is usually much more traumatic and serious than when another event, such as a stroke, causes damage. Inhaling gas, receiving an electric shock, and being exposed to toxic chemicals are all common causes of acquired brain injuries suffered in accidents. 

The symptoms of this type of injury vary depending on the location and severity of the damage. A few of the most common symptoms are as follows:

• Disorientation and confusion
• Loss or decreased motor abilities
• Difficulty writing and speaking
• Memory loss
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Full or partial paralysis

Skull Fractures

Brain injuries are often caused by skull fractures during car accidents. Although it is possible to fracture the skull without injuring the brain, it is more common for the brain to suffer trauma when the skull fractures.

A simple fracture is the least complex type of skull fracture. This injury occurs when the cranial bone is still in contact with itself. Simple skull fractures typically do not require surgery to repair. Compound fractures, on the other hand, involve broken bones that do not still line up with each other. These types of skull fractures do require surgery to secure the bone and ensure it heals properly.

Brain Contusions

Brain contusions are typically caused by a blow to the head. A brain contusion refers to a bruise in the brain tissue. In most cases, this is caused by the head hitting a hard surface at a high speed or high impact. This injury can result in major trauma to the brain, particularly if it results in swelling in the brain. Some of the most common brain contusion symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of memory
• Severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Disorientation and confusion
• Convulsions and seizures

Our Car Accident Attorneys in Baton Rouge Can Help You Claim Damages After a Brain Injury

Brain injuries are among the most serious you could suffer in an accident. At Big River Trial Attorneys, our Baton Rouge car accident attorneys can help you claim the compensation you need to pay for your medical bills, make up for your lost income, and more. Call us now at (225) 963-9638 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and get the legal help you need.