A car accident is one of the most traumatic human experiences, with the terror of the crash, the realization that one or more vehicle occupants have suffered injuries, and then the following hours and days of learning the full extent of the injuries and damages. One of the most terrifying diagnoses after a car accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While some severe TBIs show immediate symptoms such as unconsciousness, many hematomas develop symptoms during the hours or even days after the car accident, depending on the severity of the injury.
If you suspect a brain injury, consulting with a St. Louis brain injury attorney can help you understand your legal options and ensure you receive the necessary medical attention and compensation for your recovery.
What Is a Subdural Hematoma?
The human brain has layers of protective membranes to cushion the delicate brain tissue from direct contact with the bony skull. A subdural hematoma occurs when blunt force trauma causes blood vessels surrounding the brain to tear, leaking blood into the area surrounding the brain.
When blood pools between the brain and the outer protective membrane, it causes a subdural hematoma. Depending on the severity of bleeding, the pressure from a subdural hematoma can cause traumatic brain injuries ranging from mild to severe or fatal.
Car Accidents Are a Leading Cause of Subdural Hematomas
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of head injuries, including hospitalizations from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A clinical research study of 57 car accident victims diagnosed with subdural hematoma showed that subdural hematomas were the third leading cause of hemorrhage injuries in car accidents, with 52 of the car accident victims diagnosed with subdural hematomas surviving their injuries. Five injury victims in the study died from the complications of severe subdural hematomas.
According to the study, the most common types of car accidents that cause subdural hematoma injuries were head-on collisions and side-impact accidents. Direct impacts with the steering wheel, window frame, and A-pillar of the car were the most frequent sources of the blunt-force trauma in car accidents that caused subdural hematomas.
Recognizing Signs of a Subdural Hematoma After a Car Accident
One of the dangers of subdural hematomas from car accidents is that the injury victim may not notice symptoms of the injury until hours or even days after the crash. This happens when the torn blood vessels slowly seep blood into the space between the brain and outer membrane, causing pressure to build over time. The common signs of a subdural hematoma following a car accident include:
- A headache that increases in severity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Slurred speech
- Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision
- Weakness on one side of the body
As the pressure from the subdural hematoma builds, an injury victim may also experience memory loss, changes in mood or personality, and disorientation. When left untreated, a subdural hematoma may cause symptoms such as seizures, paralysis, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, and coma.
Recovering From a Car Accident Subdural Hematoma
Depending on the severity of the subdural hematoma and the amount of cellular damage caused before emergency treatment, a car accident victim with a subdural hematoma may fully recover within a few weeks or could sustain permanent brain injury with impairment requiring rehabilitative therapies and assisted living.
Some subdural hematomas are fatal. It’s crucial to undergo a complete medical examination as soon as possible after a car accident, especially when the accident caused trauma to the head that could indicate a subdural hematoma or other traumatic brain injury. These medical records can aid your St. Louis personal injury lawyer in pursuing damages on your behalf.