Closed head injuries can be life-threatening and do not always present symptoms immediately.
No matter the severity of an accident, you should always seek medical attention afterward to ensure that you have not received an injury that has not yet manifested, especially when you have hit your head abruptly on a dashboard, windshield, or the back of the seat in front of you. A lack of blood does not mean there is no damage. Closed head injuries can be life-threatening and do not always present symptoms immediately. Call a car accident lawyer as soon as possible if you suffer brain trauma after a car accident.
A closed head injury generally refers to a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, with no open wound to the skull. This type of brain injury is the most common cause of disability in younger people. They account for almost 75% of all the 17 million injuries to the brain that occur in Americans every year. They can cause physical and psychological impairment as well as harm cognitive skills.
The four most common closed head injuries that result from car accidents are:
- concussions
- hematomas
- cerebral contusions
- axonal injury
A concussion is caused by a sharp blow to the head, such as a high-speed impact with a dashboard, and usually is only a temporary condition affecting brain function.
Hematomas are a condition where the blood vessels inside the head begin to burst, causing pools of blood to form around the brain. They can cause life-threatening pressure to the brain and need to be treated surgically immediately.
A contusion is a localized bruising of the brain, similar to a concussion but only affecting a small area.
An axonal injury is the most frequently seen relating to a car accident. This type of injury will generally cause irreparable damage to the brain and may lead to comas or a vegetative state.
Brain swelling is often a slow process. Symptoms may not appear for days or even weeks, causing even more damage. This is why immediate medical attention is always recommended following a car crash, especially if there was an impact to the head or a sharp jerk of the neck. Some symptoms to look for include headaches, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, and slurred speech. If there was even the slightest moment of loss of consciousness, a doctor should be seen immediately. This is an indication that the brain received severe trauma.
Settlements and awards vary greatly in cases involving closed head trauma. The severity of the injury plays a significant role and if there is any permanent disability as a result.
St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers
Medical care should always be the top priority after being involved in a car accident. Let the treating physician know precisely how the accident occurred and any symptoms you may be feeling. If you remember hitting your head, let him know about that as well. Once you are on the road to recovery, call a car accident attorney to find out how to file a compensation claim and ensure you get all of the compensation you are entitled to.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Missouri or Illinois, contact a St. Louis car accident lawyer at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We will work to get you and your family the compensation you need to recover after an accident. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at (314) 361-4242.