The thought of dying in a car crash is horrifying. Serious injuries, however, especially to the brain, can change your life instantly.
Surviving an automobile accident does not mean you escaped unscathed. In 2020, over 2 million people visited the emergency room with injuries sustained in car accidents.
There is a risk of cuts, scrapes, and fractures to every part of the body. But head injuries from car accidents can be one of the scariest and life-changing results of a mishap on the road.
Your brain is far more vulnerable than it may seem. A bump or jolt to the head can lead to a minor concussion or serious brain injury. This can change the ability of your brain to function correctly and can completely change your life.
Read on to learn more about head injuries from car accidents and how to spot it after a car accident.
What Is a Brain Injury?
About 1.5 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. Causes range from a simple blow to the head to something piercing the brain, like a gunshot. Sports injuries and falls, especially among the elderly, are common head trauma causes.
However, car accidents are one of the top culprits. In 2019, motor vehicle crashes accounted for 17 percent of brain injury deaths.
Unfortunately, despite advances in technology and ever-more modern cars, thousands of accidents still occur annually. There are several causes of car crashes. One is distracted driving, where the driver looks at their phone or turns to fiddle with the stereo. Speeding and reckless driving can also be deadly or lead to common car accident injuries.
Alcohol or drug abuse are also common causes of car accidents. Studies show that even a tiny amount of alcohol in your blood can slow reaction times or affect your judgment. Driving while tired can be as dangerous as driving under the influence, and nodding off is a key cause of motor vehicle disaster.
While a brain injury is first caused by this outside blow, complications from lack of oxygen and swelling in the brain can cause a series of further injuries and complications.
Examples of Head Injuries From Car Accidents
In the United States, most head injuries are mild, while moderate and severe brain trauma can cause death or disability.
However, even so-called mild brain injuries can have serious consequences. You can get auto accident attorneys here to see what your rights are and how you can be compensated for any expenses after a brain injury
Here are four types of brain injuries and the warning signs you may be suffering from them:
1. Concussion
The most common type of head trauma that occurs is a concussion. It is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or any movement that causes the head and brain to move back and forth suddenly.
This is highly likely when involved in a car accident, which involves a massive jolt.
The quick back-and-forth action in a car accident can cause the brain to bounce around and move within the skull. This can damage brain cells and lead to chemical changes in the brain.
Patients can recover quickly from concussions with no lasting damage. However, there can also be neurological side effects from the violent shaking of the head that impact how you think, feel, and act. A concussion can come with the loss of consciousness, but not always.
You can also develop the post-concussion syndrome, where the symptoms last for months.
The most common symptoms of concussion are:
- Headache
- Memory loss, or forgetting the accident
- Confusion, such as feeling in a fog
- Vomiting
- Blurry vision or dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Sleep disturbances
- Light and noise sensitivity
- Taste and smell disorders
In the days after the accident, you may struggle with concentration and memory. You might also notice depression. Post-concussion syndrome can lead to long-term problems with anxiety and irritability. It can also impact social behavior
2. Whiplash
Whiplash is primarily a neck injury and is common when a car is rear-ended. When your neck undergoes a sudden jerking motion, you can injure the spine, neck nerves, tissues, and other ligaments and muscles.
Even if there is no blow to the head, mild traumatic brain injury can be a side-effect of whiplash.
If you have whiplash, you might experience:
- A headache radiating from the base of the skull
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Difficulty moving neck
- Pain in upper arms or shoulders
You may also experience symptoms similar to those of a concussion.
3. Moderate Brain Injury
With a moderate brain injury, you may experience unconsciousness for more than 15 minutes and up to six hours. Post-Traumatic Amnesia, where there is forgetfulness or the patient acts strangely, can last for up to 24 hours.
With a moderate brain injury, you will likely be admitted to the hospital. The following symptoms can persist:
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Memory and attention difficulties
- Irritability and anxiety
It can take up to nine months for a moderate brain injury to heal.
4. Severe Brain Injury
When a patient has a severe brain injury, they may be in a coma for over six hours and hospitalized for a more extended period. If they recover, they can suffer long-term problems that affect every part of their lives.
These include:
- Thinking
- Memory and learning
- Balance and co-ordination
- Emotional difficulties.
Healing From Brain Trauma
Your doctor will likely advise rest and avoiding highly stimulating mental and physical activities in the days after any mild head injuries from car accidents.
However, you may require surgery, physical therapy, and speech therapy with more serious trauma.
Take a look around our website for more useful medical information and legal advice.
Also Read: What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident
