One severe injury that may affect a victim of a car crash is a brain injury. A traumatic brain injury may happen when a person hits their head or when their head moves quickly from one side to the other, forward or back.
In a car crash, the brain may impact the inside of the skull. It could be penetrated by objects that pass through the skull, too. Regardless of the cause, this injury is serious and does need medical attention.
What happens to the brain after a car crash?
After a car crash, the brain may bleed, bruise, swell and continue to suffer from damage. As the brain tissue swells, it presses against the skull and may cause blood vessels to rupture or tissues to tear.
Blood then gathers around the brain, which, if it is in a great enough quantity, can become life-threatening.
How is a brain injury identified after a car crash?
There are several different tests that can be used to identify a brain injury. Some include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging tests (MRIs)
- Computerized tomography scans (CT scans)
- Physical examinations
After these tests are done and exams are completed, the patient will receive a score on the Glasgow Coma Scale. This will give an overall evaluation of the brain injury and identify how severe it is. Treatment for the injury will depend on how the brain was injured and the overall extent of the injury.
Injured in a crash?
If you’re hit by another driver and suffer a brain injury, remember that you may be able to hold them accountable for your injuries and financial losses. Your priority is your health, but once you’re stable, you may want to consider making a claim.