What Happens If A Person Has A Brain Injury From A Car Accident?
What causes a car accident brain injury?
A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when the head experiences a bump, blow, or jolt. This disrupts the normal function of the brain. Some are mild, meaning there is only a brief change in mental status or consciousness. Alternatively, a severe TBI can result in a permanent or extended period of memory loss or unconsciousness.
According to a 2013 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents are among the most common causes of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths related to traumatic brain injury among people aged 15 to 34.
Whether you experience a TBI in a car accident often depends on several factors, as a recent study from the University of Arizona discovered. This includes the direction in which you were hit, speed of the vehicles involved, and whether you were wearing a seatbelt.
Types of car accident brain injuries
There are several different types of car accident brain injuries. Some of the more common include:
- Concussion: Often referred to as the most common type of TBI, a concussion can take months to completely heal. This type of injury can be caused by a strong hit or sudden shaking. This stretches the brain's blood vessels, resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
- Contusion: A contusion is generally the result of direct impact to the head that causes bleeding on the brain. Large contusions may require surgical removal.
- Coup-Contrecoup: This injury leads to bleeding at the site of the blow, as well as the opposite side of the brain. This happens when the impact causes the brain to move and slam into the opposite side of the skull.
- Diffuse Axonal: When the unmoving brain lags behind the movement of the skull, nerve tissues throughout the brain can tear. A diffuse axonal injury can disrupt brain activity, leading to permanent brain damage, coma, or even death.
- Penetration Injury: Objects such as pieces of metal or debris can pass through the skull and enter the brain. This can lead to parts of the skull being forced into the brain. This ruptures and stretches brain tissue.
Symptoms of car accident brain injuries
Beyond type, car accident brain injuries also range in severity. It’s important to know symptoms for each to know if you're dealing with a mild or more severe injury.
A mild traumatic brain injury may result in loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few
minutes. However, it’s possible to remain conscious while feeling confused or disoriented. In the hours or days following the accident, other symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury may include:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Speech problems
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Mood swings
- Concentration problems
- Depression or anxiety
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can include the signs and symptoms noted above, along with other issues. Loss of consciousness may take place for several minutes to hours. The following symptoms will usually be present within the first few hours or days:
- Convulsions or seizures
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Dilation of one or both pupils
- Loss of coordination
- Numbness in fingers and toes
- Inability to wake up from sleep
- Combativeness or confusion
- Unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Coma