Blunt Force Trauma to the Head

Trauma to the body is one of the leading causes of death in people younger than 35 worldwide. As you will read below, blunt force trauma to the head during motor vehicle accidents accounts for a high percentage of these traumatic injuries.

This blog does not serve as medical advice for instances of blunt force head trauma. If you or someone you know has suffered blunt trauma to the head in a car accident, it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

One of the most common ways that blunt force trauma to the head occurs is during motor vehicle accidents. Car accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries, but many people suffer blows to the head during car crashes.

Some Motor Vehicle Accidents Increase the Risk of Severe Blunt Force Trauma

Certain motor vehicle accidents create more of a risk of blunt force trauma to the head than others. For example, car versus semi-truck, pedestrian versus vehicle, and motorcyclist versus vehicle accidents all have high rates of blunt force head trauma. This is because these collisions involve one party in a much larger or stronger vehicle than the other.

The risk during the accident is imbalanced.

• Blunt trauma from motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian injuries cause most serious traumatic injuries

What Is Blunt Force Trauma to the Head?

Blunt force trauma to the head occurs when someone’s cranium is struck hard by an object. The object’s weight, speed, and force of impact all influence the blunt force trauma someone experiences. The blunt force trauma itself may cause contusions, a concussion, skull fractures, or even a penetrating trauma. Many different brain injuries can originate from blunt force trauma to the head.

Symptoms of Blunt Force Trauma to the Head After A Car Accident

Motor vehicle accidents commonly cause blunt force trauma to the head.

If you were in a car crash, look for signs of blunt force trauma injuries in yourself and those around you:

• Slurred speech
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Memory difficulties
• Blurry vision
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea
• Personality changes

How Do I Know if I Have Suffered Blunt Force Trauma to the Head?

If you were in a car accident (or a similar circumstance), you may have incurred head trauma. Watch for the symptoms listed above. Additionally, keep the following information in mind.

Symptoms of a brain injury may take hours or minutes to present after an injury. Just because someone does not have the symptoms of an injury after blunt force trauma to the head, it does not mean that they are guaranteed to be safe. Sometimes, it takes days to notice symptoms.

The only way to know for sure whether you have suffered blunt force trauma to the head is to consult with a medical professional. You should see a doctor as soon as you can after your injury to improve the likelihood of detecting injuries.

Blunt Force Trauma to the Head May Cause Traumatic Brain Injury

Blunt force trauma to the head is frequently associated with traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs). The bulk of TBIs stems from physical trauma, even though infections and illnesses can cause TBI as well.

Other Effects of Blunt Force Trauma to the Head

Even when blunt force trauma to the head does not cause TBI, it has the potential to create significant damage to a person’s health. Many people experience physical and mental impacts of head trauma regardless of whether they sustain a TBI or not.

Physical Ailments

Many people experience very physical effects after a brain or head injury. Some of the most common ones include headaches and sensory changes, but fatigue is another good example. Scientific research even suggests a link between trauma to the head and some neurodegenerative disorders (like Parkinson’s disease).

Decline in Cognitive Ability

A person’s mental capabilities may be impacted short- or long-term following blunt force trauma to the head. Short-term memory loss is often one of the first signals, but more persistent memory issues occur as well.

Cognitive decline can include more than just memory lapses, though. Many people who survive blunt force trauma to the head in a car accident suffer loss of language, reduced motivation, visual impairments, and poor concentration.

Behavioral and Mood Changes

Someone who experiences a brain injury from blunt force trauma is at great risk of suffering mood and behavioral changes. Sometimes this translates to a lack of empathy or difficulty forming positive relationships with others. Moodiness, aggression, unhappiness, and other behavioral signs may also present themselves.

Recovering Damages After Blunt Force Trauma to the Head

Remember: every injury (and every case) is unique. Nobody can tell you exactly which damages you may be eligible to collect after blunt force trauma to the head in a car accident.

Someone could pursue compensation for several kinds of damages after a blunt force trauma injury:

• Medical bills, including those extending beyond initial treatment for the injury; projected medical bills, specialized care costs, etc.
• Lost wages for time missed from work.
• Diminished earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Mental anguish.
• Disfigurement.
• Disability.

If you have questions about what damages you may recover after your accident, ask a lawyer for more information. He or she should help you gain an idea of what compensation you can pursue.

Can a Lawyer Help After Blunt Trauma to the Head in a Car Accident?

In many cases, yes. A qualified attorney can help after someone experiences blunt force trauma to the head during a car accident. Lawyers help prove a liable party’s responsibility for what happened in court. They may consult with experts from other fields to help benefit their clients’ cases; and, with enough searching, you can find an empathetic attorney who will help you reclaim your life after your injury.