Car Accident Head Injuries

Car accident head injuries can be debilitating if not devastating. Life, as you know it, may be forever changed in one split second. Depending on the type of head and brain injury suffered, recovery, if possible, can be expensive, lengthy, and challenging. However, if someone else is responsible for the crash, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injury and expenses.

You don’t have to go it alone. Morgan & Morgan’s dedicated car accident lawyers are here to support you and fight for what you need to rebuild your life. We want you to have the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to find out how we can help.  

Common Head Injuries in Car Accidents

Head injuries can be common in car crashes and range in severity from mild to life-threatening and fatal. The most severe injuries have the potential to negatively affect all aspects of an individual’s life. Typical car accident head injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Concussion, a type of TBI, is one of the most common head and brain injuries in car collisions. The condition usually occurs due to a sudden impact or change in movement, as is typical in a car accident, and can occur even in low-speed crashes. Symptoms of a concussion include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Headache or the feeling of pressure inside the head
• Nausea and vomiting
• Personality changes

Seeking medical attention for a concussion as soon as possible can be vital for preventing severe or permanent brain damage.

Penetrating Head Wound

Penetrating head injuries can occur when objects or glass pieces inside the car fly around in an accident, hitting individuals in the head. Such an injury can affect the skull or, if deep, even impact the brain. While penetrating injuries to the head are typically obvious, the following symptoms may accompany them:

• Difficulty breathing
• Heavy blood loss
• Bleeding from the ears
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of sensation in limbs
• Coma

Contusion

In a car accident, brain contusions (bruises) typically occur when a driver or passenger is struck by an object or hits their head in the car or, when ejected from the vehicle, hits their head on the ground. Contusions on both brain sides, the site of impact and the opposite side, are called coup-contrecoup injuries.

Brain bruises, if mild, can heal on their own. However, a severe contusion may require surgery. Complications of brain contusions include blood clots in the brain and cognitive changes, among others.  

Diffuse Axonal Injury

A diffuse axonal head injury is a typical high-speed accident injury that occurs due to extreme rotation or shaking of the head, causing tears in brain structures. The injury can lead to seizures, memory loss, coma, and death in the most severe cases. Symptoms of a diffuse axonal injury include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

Signs and Symptoms of Car Accident Head Injuries

Common symptoms such as a headache or nausea could signal a severe brain injury, which is why it is critical to see a doctor after a crash, even if you only experience minor discomfort. After an accident, seek medical advice instantly if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms:

Headaches

According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), headaches are common after car crashes. While a headache may not be due to a severe injury, persistent headaches and migraines can be common symptoms of TBIs, contusions, and other brain injuries. Headaches after accidents could also point to the following conditions:

• Concussions
• Muscle strain and sprains
• Nerve injuries
• Fractures of the skull or neck

Never ignore seemingly harmless headaches after a car crash, and seek advice from a doctor. A persistent and worsening headache could point to brain trauma and other injuries.

Problems Concentrating and Thinking

Individuals suffering from a brain injury may have trouble keeping up and get easily distracted. They may have problems thinking clearly and concentrating on tasks. When part of the brain is damaged, bruised, or swollen due to a car accident, individuals may also experience slow thinking, “brain fog,” and memory loss. Difficulty in dealing with emotions after a car accident can be another sign of a brain injury.

If you find it challenging to think clearly and concentrate or experience memory loss after a crash, promptly see a doctor.

Other Head Injury Symptoms

Any of the following symptoms could arise due to a brain injury after a motor vehicle accident:

• Loss of consciousness
• Clear brain fluid draining from the nose and ears
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Seizures
• Dilation of one or both pupils
• Confusion
• Inability to awaken from sleep

Compensation for Head and Brain Injuries

Serious head injuries can derail your entire life. However, if you suffered a head injury in an accident and someone else is responsible, you could be entitled to compensation. A car accident lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can determine whether someone else’s negligence caused your head injury. The compensation you could recover can include:  

Healthcare Costs

Medical expenses for a severe brain injury can be astronomical and long-term. An individual impacted by a severe brain injury may require round-the-clock care, medical devices, and medications for the rest of their life.

Victims and families could qualify for all medical expenses, including future expected costs, to cover treatments and rehabilitation for the accident injury. Disabled victims may also receive payments to modify their homes and vehicles to their new requirements.

Loss of Income

While those with a minor head injury may be able to return to work after recovering, a significant brain injury might prevent an individual from returning to their career. Among other damages, you could recover:

• Loss of income and future income
• Loss of benefits
• Loss of pension contributions

Pain and Suffering

Individuals with severe head injuries do not only have financial damages. They may also suffer great physical pain and emotional trauma. Moreover, if you are unable to lead the kind of life you had before the accident and have to give up activities or hobbies you enjoyed, you could qualify for adequate compensation for this loss of life quality.

Therefore, injured individuals may be entitled to so-called “non-economic” damages, such as the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Reduced life quality
• Disability