Vehicle crashes often cause permanent and catastrophic injuries. The speed and force of the vehicles causes drivers and passengers to strike dashboards, windows, and each other. Many times, a victim’s head is shaken and rotated in addition to the direct physical impact. Most patients should be checked out at a local emergency room or by their local physician.

Head injuries include any damage to the brain, scalp, or skull. Injuries can be soft bumps. Forceful injuries often cause a traumatic brain injury. Head injuries should be treated as quickly as possible so that problems such as swelling and bleeding can be addressed. Traumatic brain injuries can cause long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional damage. Many TBI victims are never the same, even with a lifetime of medical care.

Injuries your physicians will look for

According to Healthline, an online medical resource, victims of a car, truck, motorcycle, or any vehicle crash may suffer one or more of the following brain injuries:

• Hematoma. This is a clotting or collection of blood outside the blood vessels. Brain hematomas are very serious. They can cause a vehicle accident victim to lose consciousness. They can even cause permanent brain damage.
• Hemorrhage. This is bleeding that is uncontrolled. Bleeding around the brain is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Symptoms include vomiting and headaches. Excess bleeding can cause a dangerous buildup of pressure around the brain. Bleeding in the brain is called intracerebral hemorrhage.
• A concussion. This brain injury, doctors believe, is due to the brain striking the skull or due to quick acceleration and deceleration forces. Though concussions are often temporary, they can lead to permanent brain damage.
• Edema. Edema is another word for swelling. If swelling occurs in the brain, pressure can build up in the brain because the skull can’t grow or stretch to match the swelling. This causes the brain to push up against the skull.
• A fractured skull. Skulls don’t have bone marrow, which makes them stronger than most bones. Still, strong enough forces from a motor vehicle crash can cause a skull fracture which can lead to severe brain damage.
• Diffuse axonal injury. This type of injury damages brain cells even though there isn’t bleeding. The cells lose their ability to function. Diffuse axonal injuries can also cause swelling which can increase pressure of the brain. It’s less visible than other types of brain injuries but often causes permanent brain damage. A diffuse axonal injury can also be fatal.

The Gladiators in Suits at the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm have the experience and resources to help you get justice. The resources include our relationships with neurosurgeons, neurologists, psychologists, therapists, and other doctors who are trained to help brain injury victims. Our Nashville brain injury lawyers also seek payment for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and any disability. For help now, please phone us at 615-246-5549 or use our contact form.  You can meet our attorneys in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Knoxville. We represent brain injury victims throughout Tennessee.