brain injury scans on computer screen

5 Common Brain Injuries Sustained After a Car Accident

By Jose Ceja
Managing Attorney

Car accidents happen each and every day. Fortunately, most of these accidents result in some minor injuries and property damage. But sometimes, car accidents result in more than just some whiplash and broken bones. Sometimes they result in serious brain injuries. Here are 5 common brain injuries sustained after a car accident. 

5 Common Brain Injuries Caused By a Car Accident

1. Concussions

When car accidents occur, the sudden movement of the colliding vehicles causes your body to move abruptly. When this occurs, sometimes the brain hits the inside of the skull. This is known as a concussion. While some concussions lead to loss of consciousness, luckily, most do not. However, this makes it more difficult to decipher if you have experienced one. Common symptoms of concussions include:

  • Difficulty concentrating 
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue 
  • Headache 
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Ringing in the ears 
  • Lightheadedness 
  • Slurred Speech 

2. Contusions

When a car accident occurs, you may hit your head on an object or be hit in the head by an object. This easily leads to bruising and swelling on the brain, called a contusion. Again, this can be difficult to determine. Common contusion symptoms include:

  • Cognitive changes 
  • Slurred speech
  • Numbness/tingling
  • Difficulty with coordination/balance
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Difficulty forming sentences
  • Difficulty with memory

3. Diffuse Axonal Injuries

When you are driving at a higher rate of speed and the car stops suddenly due to a collision, your skull may still be moving at a rate of speed faster than your brain. A diffuse axonal injury is when severe rotation or shaking occurs. These injuries can be quite severe, at times causing structures of the brain to tear unless you seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of diffuse axonal injuries include:

  • Blurred vision 
  • Confusion 
  • Dizziness 
  • Fatigue 
  • Headache
  • Issues with memory
  • Light/Sound sensitivity 
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting
  • Ringing in ears 
  • Slurred speech
  • Severe mood changes

4. Coup-Contrecoups Injuries

Another brain injury that can occur after a car accident is a coup-contrecoups injury. When the accident is very forceful, your brain can end up hitting both sides of your skull, causing damage to it. Common coup-contrecoups injury symptoms include:

  • Bleeding in the brain
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea 
  • Skull fracture
  • Swelling in the brain
  • Loss of consciousness

5. Penetrating Head Wounds

While it’s serious to hit your head on an object or be hit in the head by an object, it can be extremely dangerous – often life-threatening – to have an object go through your skull. When this occurs, it is called a penetrating head wound and is extremely serious, sometimes even fatal. That’s why it’s so important to seek immediate medical attention. While it’s fairly obvious to know that you have a penetrating head wound, it’s important to understand the other complications that such an injury can lead to. These include:

  • Bleeding from the ears 
  • Coma
  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Heavy blood loss 
  • Loss of bladder and bowel function
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Loss of movement or sensation in the limbs 
  • Paralysis
  • Seizures

The Attorneys at Ceja Law Firm Help Those in Houston Who Have Been Injured in a Car Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to the recklessness or negligence of another, it’s vital that you understand what you are entitled to under the law. With this information under your belt, you can make important decisions regarding how you want to move forward. That’s why it’s in your best interest to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced Texas personal injury attorney.

At Ceja Law Firm PLLC, we understand the impact that an accident can have on many parts of your life and the importance of properly dealing with such negligence or recklessness. That’s why we will work to get you the compensation that you deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!

About the Author
Jose Ceja is the managing attorney of Ceja Law Firm. He has practiced law since 2007 and has devoted his career to the practice of criminal law. Mr. Ceja began his legal career as a felony drug prosecutor, where he prosecuted drug, gang, and violent offenses. Mr. Ceja has first or second chaired almost 100 trials, including murders, drug cases, DWIs, and assaults. In his career as a defense attorney, he has regularly obtained dismissals, not guilty verdicts, and grand jury “no bills” in a wide variety of cases.