Head Injuries: From Mild to Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is caused by a hit to the head or a penetrating injury. The injury alters or stops the brain’s normal function. Across the United States, there are over 1.7 million cases of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) every year. Today, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons reports that 5.3 million people in the United States have a disability caused by a TBI.
However, head injuries that are less serious and don’t lead to long-term complications are even more common. In fact, they occur far more frequently than a TBI. While these head injuries may not be as severe, they can still lead to significant pain and other complications.
What Causes a Head Injury or Traumatic Brain Injury?
Accidents are one of the leading causes of TBIs and general head injuries, including:
- Vehicle-related collisions, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian-vehicle crashes
- Violence, including gunshot wounds, abuse, and other forms of assault
- Sports injuries
- Explosive blasts
- Falls from a height or because of a slippery surface
A head injury that leads to a TBI is actually the result of physical damage to the brain. It is often caused by the brain hitting the side of the skull, which can lead to bruising and bleeding. Shattered pieces of the skull penetrating the brain will also often result in a TBI.
Auto accidents are one of the most common causes of TBIs and head injuries, second only to falls. You can still get a brain injury even if you don’t hit your head on anything in the vehicle. The sudden stop of most car accidents is enough to force your brain to slam into your skull, and even that seemingly minor movement can cause serious damage and even death.
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The Severity of Head Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can result in severe, life-changing damages. However, even general head injuries can also cause somewhat limited or more minor problems. Symptoms of a head injury will vary based on the severity and type of the damage that you went through.
Minor Head Injuries
A head injury occurs any time when you have damage to your head or skull. It includes things like bruising, cuts, and bumps. These injuries are very common, and they rarely result in any long-term brain damage.
A cold compress can help with swelling, and the pain will generally stop within a few hours to a few days. Symptoms are generally mild and short-lived. They include things like:
- Headache (mild)
- Nausea
- Mild dizziness
- Slightly blurred vision
Pain on the area where the head was impacted is by far the most common symptom with this type of head injury.
More Serious Head Injuries
Some of the more serious head injuries can cause longer-term problems, but they will usually not result in any permanent damage. Some of the types of head injuries include:
- Hematoma. A hematoma is a collection of blood outside the blood vessels. It can occur in the brain and in other areas of your body.
- Hemorrhage. A hemorrhage is uncontrolled bleeding. While many of these types of injuries will be minor, they can be very serious as well.
- Concussion. A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury, but in its lessor form, it will not cause any (or very little) long-term damage.
- Edema. Edema is swelling that occurs in the brain. This can build pressure, which can lead to serious injury.
Some of these head injuries can be very serious. For example, brain bleeds can result in brain damage that can inhibit your motor skills, cognitive abilities, and even your personality. In other situations, a brain injury can cause severe limitations in just one area of your life. You may have inhibited speech or coordination, or you may end up being unable to perform certain high-level cognitive tasks.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
If you have been in a car accident, it is extremely important that you get medical help after the crash, even if you think that the collision was relatively minor. Head injuries can be difficult to spot, but they can be very serious. Getting a diagnosis quickly can mean the difference between life and death in some situations. Keep in mind that not everyone who has a brain injury will lose consciousness.
These symptoms can also be a sign of a more serious head injury. Additional symptoms of more serious damage include:
- Slurred speech
- Convulsions of seizures
- Dilation of one or both pupils
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
- Weakness or numbness in the fingers and toes
- Loss of coordination
- Profound confusion
If you or a loved one has any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Getting Legal Help After a TBI or Head Injury
Because accidents are one of the leading causes of TBIs and head injuries, you may have legal options to help you pay for things like lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses you have experienced because of a head injury. Talking to a California personal injury attorney about your situation will help you examine your options with a knowledgeable guide by your side.
