How Do Cherry Hill Car Accidents Cause Brain Injuries?

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of brain injuries. This is because car accidents create a lot of force, and the impact on various parts of drivers’ and passengers’ bodies, including the head, skull, and brain, can be severe.  A car accident can lead to a brain injury when:

• Occupants hit their heads on dashboards, windows, or steering wheels
• Occupants’ heads slam back into headrests
• Loose debris in the car (like cell phones, toys, or other objects) hit the occupants
• Flying objects penetrate the skulls of the occupants
• Non-occupants (like pedestrians or cyclists) are hit by the vehicle directly
• Victims’ brains move within their own skulls
• Occupants get “stuck” behind their airbags, leading to oxygen deprivation

There are several different types of brain injuries that can arise from car accidents, meaning that two car accident victims can be involved in the same type of crash and sustain two very different brain injuries, as well as present different symptoms.

Five types of brain injuries common to car accidents

There are several different types of brain injuries, but some are more common from car accidents. They include:

1. Concussion: A concussion is one of the most common brain injuries. This type of injury typically occurs when a person experiences a sudden blow to the head. Although concussions are considered mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), because they often heal on their own, they can still cause pain, vision issues, memory problems, and confusion. Recent analysis looked at the long-term repercussions of mTBI and found that they can shorten life expectancy.
2. Coup-contrecoup brain injury: A person may be diagnosed with a coup-contrecoup brain injury if they have an injury on two different sides of their brain. This can happen when an individual strikes their head on the dashboard during a car accident, causing the initial brain injury to the front of the brain. However, the brain may quickly move and slam into the other side of the skull, causing another injury to form.
3. Diffuse axonal brain injury: Diffuse axonal brain injuries occur when the brain moves around quickly and suddenly within the skull. This sudden movement causes the axons in the brain to tear apart from one another. Diffuse axonal brain injuries are serious injuries that usually lead to permanent damage to the brain, and can cause the individual to enter a coma. The changes from a diffuse axonal injury are hard to see on an MRI or CT scan, so delayed diagnoses are common, resulting in long-term complications or even death.
4. Subdural hematoma: A subdural hematoma occurs when blood begins to collect and form on the outside of the brain. While this type of injury may go away on its own, it can also quickly become an emergency situation, because it can cause pressure on the brain. If the blood is not properly drained, the pressure will continue to build up on the brain, which can be fatal.
5. Penetrating brain injury: A penetrating brain injury occurs when an object breaks through the skull and enters the brain. It can also occur if the skull fractures and a bit of that bone physically damages the brain. These injuries are always medical emergencies.

The signs and symptoms of a brain injury from a car accident

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a brain injury may be vital to getting the medical treatment you need. However, it is important to be aware of the fact that it can take hours or even days for signs and symptoms to show up, which could end up being too late. If you have recently been in any type of car accident and believe that there is a possibility that you might have injured your head, ask your healthcare provider to run tests and ensure that you do not have a brain injury. The following are some of the signs and symptoms of a brain injury that you can keep an eye out for:

• Intense headaches
• Vomiting or feeling nauseous
• Mood swings
• Easily agitated or irritable
• Vision problems
• Ear ringing
• Feeling dizzy
• Strange tastes
• Sleep issues
• Inability to remember, think clearly, memorize, focus, or concentrate
• Feeling dazed or confused
• Numbness
• Seizures
• Feeling tired or exhausted
• Loss of consciousness
• Feeling lightheaded

If you or a loved one suffers a brain injury from a car crash, the Cherry Hill car accident attorneys of Ferrara & Gable are here to help. Our team knows and understands that these types of injuries can negatively impact your life for many years, which is why we will stand up and fight aggressively for the compensation you need and deserve to help you get back on your feet after the accident. To schedule your free and complimentary consultation, please call or fill out our contact form today. We proudly serve all of South Jersey for your convenience.