If you’re involved in a car accident, there is always the possibility of a severe injury. You could break a bone or get injured in a way that results in internal bleeding. Unfortunately, brain injuries are also a possibility after a car accident. The following are a few of the most common to watch for if you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident.
Concussion
This is a common injury where symptoms sometimes don’t present right away. You might think that you have a headache after a car accident and really have a concussion. This is why it’s important to seek medical attention after an accident as an X-ray and other tests can often detect a concussion if there is one present.
A Brooklyn car accident lawyer can offer advice about how to approach the other party involved in the accident and the type of settlement you might be able to obtain to cover medical treatments and lost wages if you are unable to go about daily activities due to a concussion. Some of the signs that you might have a concussion include nausea, dizziness, and confusion.
Bruising
If you have bruising on your brain or a contusion, then it could be because there was a direct impact on an area of your head during the accident. In this situation, you can speak to a lawyer who can assist with filing the proper claim to obtain coverage for medical treatments as this can be a severe injury.
Your claim could also cover compensation for lost wages as you might not be able to return to work for some time depending on the severity of the bruising. One thing to keep in mind about a contusion is that it could lead to swelling or a brain bleed. Slurred speech and changes in your cognitive behavior are often the first signs that there could be bruising present.
Penetrating Wounds
In a significant car accident, it’s possible that debris could penetrate your head and cause a brain injury. Types of debris that sometimes cause this injury include glass from the windshield, objects in the car that become airborne, and tree limbs that enter the vehicle.
This is an injury that could result in death if the object penetrates certain areas of the brain. If a family member has been injured in this manner after a car accident or if the injury resulted in the death of your family member, then you can usually consult with an attorney to file a lawsuit against the other party involved in the accident.
Paralysis, seizures, and loss of consciousness are signs that you could have a penetrating injury. Most of the time, this is an obvious injury due to the object being embedded in the head. Sometimes, you could experience health issues months or years after the injury that you didn’t experience right after the accident.
Jerking Injuries
There are a few different types of injuries involving jerking of the brain that could occur after an accident. One is a coup-contrecoup. The brain violently jerks inside your skull after a significant impact. This injury usually occurs in rollovers or in accidents that are very forceful. Your brain will usually hit against one or both sides of your skull. The injury could lead to significant bruising and other health issues that involve both sides of your brain. The most common symptoms include blurred vision, memory loss, and seizures.
