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How Is the Brain Impacted By a Car Accident?

Posted on : November 25, 2020
Car Accident

Car accidents can be serious, resulting in life-changing and even deadly injuries. One of the most common — and concerning — injuries that arise from an automobile collision is a head or brain injury. Also called a TBI, or traumatic brain injury, this type of injury can have permanent effects. Here’s how the brain responds in a car crash.

Concussion or Coma

One of the first signs that a car accident has caused a traumatic brain injury is if the victim suffers from the loss of consciousness as a result of a concussion or coma. This may be temporary and the victim of the crash can “come out of it” quickly, or they may lose consciousness for an extended period of time. In some cases, a brain injury sustained in a collision can result in a coma lasting several weeks or months.

Brain Swelling

After the brain is injured, it can swell as a result of the inflammatory response like any other part of the body. However, swelling can cause serious injury and irreversible damage if the brain starts to push against the skull and there’s nowhere else for it to go.

Blood Vessel Damage

When the brain swells beyond a certain point, the pressure closes off the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain tissue. As a result, blood vessels can become damaged in such a way that even once swelling has gone down, they can no longer feed that part of the brain.

Seizures

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain after a traumatic injury can cause a victim to experience seizures, which can range from barely detectable to a situation that requires emergency intervention. Seizures may continue for days or weeks after the car accident and in some cases, may be chronic.

Buildup of Cerebrospinal Fluid

A traumatic brain injury can also cause the development of a condition known as hydrocephalus, or the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull. This causes symptoms like headaches, blurred vision, loss of motor control, incontinence, personality changes, and loss of cognitive function. Often, the fluid has to be manually aspirated to reduce pressure on the brain.

When to Reach Out to a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer

Don’t wait after being injured in a car accident to get in touch with a seasoned Georgia personal injury attorney. Call Chalker Injury Law at (678) 319-9991 or toll free at (800) 393-8595 to schedule your free consultation.

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