When you are involved in an auto accident, one of the most common types of injuries you may experience is a head or brain injury. In fact, you don’t even have to hit your head to experience this type of injury. These injuries can vary in severity, causing an array of issues that can have a negative impact on your life. The following discusses some of the common types of brain injuries and what types of symptoms you should watch for after you are involved in a car accident.
Types of Head Injuries
Head injuries are among the most traumatic, causing issues with your mental function, some of which can be permanent and could even result in death. Some of the most common types include:
- Concussions — This type of injury is the result of a rapid, sudden movement of the head, such as in a car collision. This causes the brain to collide with the skull, often resulting in blurred vision, nausea, memory loss and confusion. Some individuals may even lose consciousness. Multiple concussions can lead to permanent problems.
- Edema — Edema is a medical term for swelling. When the brain swells as the result of a head injury, it can build up pressure, which can have a severely negative impact on the function of the brain.
- Hemorrhage — This term refers to an internal bleed. When there is bleeding around the brain, it can lead to a build up of pressure similar to edema. In some cases, the bleeding is inside the brain, which can cause an entirely different set of issues.
- Contusion — A contusion is a more clinical term for a bruise. When there is a sudden impact on the brain, it can cause this type of bruising, which can have minor to life-threatening effects, depending on the severity and the location of the contusion.
- Whiplash — Often felt more profoundly in the neck, whiplash is caused by the rapid forward motion of the head during impact. It is typically defined as the damaging of the muscles and tendons in the neck, which can lead to headaches and other symptoms.
- Secondary Impact Syndrome — This problem occurs when an individual suffers a second traumatic injury to the head before the initial injury can heal. This is not commonly found in car accident victims unless they are in multiple crashes in a short period of time.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury — Instead of causing bleeding like some other brain injuries, this injury damages the brain cells directly. This makes it one of the most dangerous head injuries as it is almost always permanent and can be life threatening.
Symptoms to Look For
If you’ve been in a car accident, there are a few symptoms you should watch for to help determine if you may have a brain injury, including:
- Memory Loss
- Dizziness
- Frequent Headaches
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Blurred Vision
- Personality Changes
- Depression
- Sleep Problems
- Drowsiness
- Loss of Balance
- Difficulty Concentrating
If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.
