Car accidents can cause grave damage to drivers, passengers and pedestrians. One of the most severe types of injuries that often result with a permanent disability or fatality are those that originate from the head and brain.
Medically classified as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), the symptoms of TBIs depend on the location of the injury and how severe the impact to the person’s head, skull and/or brain were. To help provide a deeper understanding on this topic, here are three common types of TBIs:
Contusions
Also known as brain bruising, a person can suffer from a contusion when there is a direct impact during the crash that has caused a localized swelling in their brain. This type of trauma can disturb their brain’s normal function and lead to a variety of neurological issues, including memory loss and cognitive impairment.
Brain hematomas
When a person’s brain bleeds and forms blood clots, this is called a brain hematoma. This medical emergency happens when a blood vessel in or around the brain gets a tear or ruptures. Since the blood is stuck, it can collect and form clots near the site of the injury.
This type of TBI can cause a variety of symptoms that may include confusion, blurred vision, intense headaches, loss of consciousness and/or slurred speech. If left untreated, brain hematomas can progress and cause permanent brain damage or death.
Penetrating brain injuries
A penetrating brain injury can occur when an object hits a person’s head and breaks through their skull, causing damage to their brain tissues. The symptoms for this TBI may include confusion, seizures, sensory impairments, bleeding from the head or nose, and paralysis on one side of the body.
Since TBIs can vary in their symptoms and are often life threatening, recognizing these symptoms can help individuals seek immediate diagnosis and proper treatment for their brain injury.