Car Accident Head Injury Symptoms

cartwrightlaw - December 19, 2023 -

Car accidents are a leading cause of head injury, which can have serious and long-lasting effects on a person’s health and quality of life. They can range in severity from mild to moderate or severe and present numerous symptoms that impact a person’s daily life.

At The Cartwright Law Firm, we understand the devastating effects of car accident head injuries and provide compelling legal representation to help clients seek restitution for their injuries. If you or a loved one has a head injury following a car accident, contact our San Francisco car accident lawyers to learn more about your legal options.

Types of Car Accident Head Injuries

Car accidents can cause various types of head injuries, and it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect any type of head injury. When it comes to head injuries, there are two main categories: open-head injuries and closed-head injuries.

Open Head Injuries

Open head injuries, also known as penetrating injuries, occur when the skull is fractured, and the brain is penetrated. Open wound injuries typically cause excessive blood loss and loss of consciousness and require immediate intensive medical care.

Open head injuries are common in serious accidents where a person’s head makes contact with glass, metal, or other parts of the vehicle.

Closed Head Injuries

Closed head injuries occur when the head experiences trauma either from direct contact or an extreme head movement like whiplash. While open-head injuries are immediately apparent, closed-head injuries can go unnoticed for hours or even days.

Concussions are the most common type of closed head injury. Concussions happen when the brain is traumatized due to an impact or a change in momentum, such as sudden deceleration during a car accident.
Brain contusions are another type of closed head injury that occurs when small blood vessels break, causing the brain to bruise. In more severe cases, contusions can cause pressure to build up inside the skull, leading to intracranial hemorrhage (brain bleed).
Coup-contrecoup injury is two contusion injuries on opposite sides of the brain. This type of injury happens when a violent impact or change in momentum causes the skull’s motion to stop suddenly. The brain, however, continues to move, slamming into one side of the skull and then rebounding into the other side.
Diffuse axonal injuries or shearing-type injuries are one of the most severe types of closed head injuries. This type of injury occurs when the nerves in the brain are stretched past the breaking point by impact or rapid, violent rotation.

Head Injury Symptoms

A head injury following a car accident can have lasting symptoms and significant consequences for a person’s quality of life. Car accident head injury symptoms are diverse and vary based on the type of head injury and its severity.

These symptoms might be immediate or take a while to appear. Therefore, seeing a doctor after a car accident is crucial, even if you initially feel fine. Prompt medical attention can help detect head injuries and prevent long-term complications.

Mild and Moderate Head Injury Symptoms

Mild to moderate head injuries are the most common types of head injuries that occur after a car accident.

A mild head injury, such as a minor concussion, can lead to headaches, mild confusion, nausea, temporary tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness or balance issues, and other symptoms. Mild head injury symptoms typically go away on their own with rest. However, it is essential to consult a doctor to confirm the severity of all head injuries.

A moderate head injury, on the other hand, can cause more severe symptoms that might include severe headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness, and even seizures.

Severe Head Injury Symptoms

Severe head injuries are less common than mild or moderate ones, but they can have life-altering consequences. Unlike mild head injury symptoms that fade over time, severe head injuries can cause permanent brain damage or long-lasting symptoms that evolve and worsen over time.

The following symptoms of severe head injury can vary in duration and severity, depending on the type and extent of the head injury:

Severe and/or Chronic Headache
Nausea and Vomiting
Vertigo
Seizures
Difficulty Concentrating
Memory Loss
Decreased Cognitive Function
Insomnia
Functional Impairments, such as slurred speed or paralysis
Behavior and Personality Changes, such as common irritability and mood swings
Coma
Death

A traumatic brain injury also reduces a person’s life expectancy by several years on average.

An individual with a severe head injury will need continued medical care and rehabilitation therapy throughout their life. Seeking medical help as soon as possible after a car accident can increase the chances of recovery and reduce the risk of fatality, infection, and permanent injury.

Personal Injury Cases with Head Injuries

If you suffered a head injury due to an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek legal recourse to compensate for your injury and subsequent damages. Head injuries often require extensive and costly mental treatment, not only immediately after the accident but for months or even years following.

A personal injury claim can help you seek justice for the devastating consequences of a head injury and help cover the financial damages of medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and more.

At The Cartwright Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys gather medical records and bills and work with medical professionals and expert witnesses to create a detailed report of the extent of the head injury and its impact on your life. The degree of permanency in the injury is a significant factor in head injury cases, and our team understands the importance of seeking optimal compensation to cover future medical costs.

How Our San Francisco Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help

Our goal at The Cartwright Law Firm is to provide our clients with peace of mind, knowing that they have a dedicated team of legal professionals fighting for their rights and best interests. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you with your head injury case.