There is a great deal of information about closed head injuries sustained in car accidents, but there is very little information about open head injuries. While closed head injuries may be more common than open head injuries, open head injuries are some of the most traumatic and severe injuries you can suffer in a car accident.
Our New Orleans car accident attorneys urge you to seek medical attention if you are suffering any adverse, unexplained, or abnormal symptoms following a car accident.
What Defines Open Head Injuries?
Open head injuries are caused when the head strikes an object with sufficient force for the object to penetrate the skull and enter the soft tissue of the brain. Because the brain controls all bodily functions, any injury to the brain can have catastrophic consequences for the victim. For example, if the area of the brain that controls sight is damaged, the victim could experience vision problems or a complete loss of vision.
Below are four different types of open head injuries:
- Basilar Skull Fracture — A basilar skull fracture is damage to the base of the skull. This can result in several complications, including fluid leaking from the brain.
- Diastatic Skull Fracture — The portion of the brain injured is in the area where the brain fuses as you age from childhood to adulthood.
- Depressed Skull Fracture — The injury causes bone fragments from the skull to enter the brain. The result of this type of fracture depends on several factors, including the area of the brain damaged by the bone fragment. In some cases, some or all bodily functions are lost because of the severe brain injury.
- Linear Skull Fracture — This is the most common and least severe type of open head injury. The skull is fractured; however, the fracture is not severe enough to expose the soft tissue of the brain. However, victims can still experience long-term symptoms from this type of open head injury.
Symptoms of an Open Head Injury
Open head injuries usually have an outward sign of trauma; however, some open head may not be immediately apparent at the accident scene. Symptoms you should look for include:
- An open wound on the head
- Bleeding from the head
- Unequal pupil sizes
- Loss of motor functions
- Vomiting and/or nausea
- Abnormal behavior
- Unconsciousness
- Stiffness in the neck
- Severe, chronic headaches
If you suffer a head injury of any type, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you believe you did not suffer an injury, it is always best to be checked by a doctor to protect your health. Furthermore, you need to document your injuries for an accident claim.
Call Our New Orleans Car Accident Attorneys For A Free Appointment
If you are injured in a car wreck, you need an experienced attorney on your side to protect your right to receive compensation for your injuries. Call our New Orleans car accident attorneys for a free case evaluation. Learn about your options from a trusted source.
Call Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm for a free legal consultation. Contact our office at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 today.