Brain Bleed from Car Accident Injuries | Fighting for Justice

Head injuries following a car accident are more common than one can imagine. Sometimes, the victims may not realize that they're suffering from a brain injury until it's too late. Brain bleed is one of those injuries that may be difficult to diagnose and can also be life-threatening.

The personal injury attorneys at Powell Law Firm have extensive experience helping protect the rights of injured victims in St. Louis, Missouri. They can help the affected parties get the compensation they deserve.

Common Types of Brain Bleed Injury

There are three main types of brain bleed injuries, and these include the following:

Subdural Hematoma

This type of traumatic brain injury refers to the accumulating blood on the brain's surface (below the dura mater, which is an outermost protective membrane).

The pressure can cause serious damage to the brain tissue if left untreated, resulting in life-threatening complications. A subdural hematoma occurs in around 25% of the cases involving a head injury.

Epidural Hematoma

Epidural hematoma refers to a brain injury in which an artery or vein gets torn by a skull fracture. This type of brain bleed occurs between the skull and the dura mater.

The leak can cause the blood to form a pocket that bulges out, putting immense pressure on the brain, which could lead to further injuries and life-threatening complications.

According to recent studies, an epidural hematoma can cause death in 15% of brain bleed cases.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the deadliest brain bleed injuries and the second most common cause of a stroke.

Due to abnormal development or trauma, arteries or veins can rupture, resulting in bleeding within the brain tissue.

As blood cells continue to die, they release harmful toxins that can further cause damage to the brain, especially the area surrounding the hematoma.

Is Brain Bleed from Car Accident a Cause for Concern?

The impact from a car accident can damage the blood vessels, causing the blood to accumulate between the cerebrum and the skull. This pool of blood can put pressure on the brain, adversely affecting the brain tissue and other parts of the brain.

When the brain bleeds, it can lead to serious symptoms that can be life-threatening if the victim fails to seek medical treatment immediately after the accident.

The seriousness of the brain bleed depends on different factors, including the size of the injury, location, the amount of time between treatment and the injury, age, and overall health.

Common Brain Bleed Symptoms

The following are some of the brain bleed symptoms car accident victims should look out for:

• Severe headache (thunderclap headaches with subarachnoid hemorrhage)

• Loss of consciousness

• Loss of movement

• Loss of feeling

• Stiff neck

• Confusion

• Nausea and vomiting

• Changes in mood or personality

• Seizures

• Vision problems

It's crucial for car accident victims to keep an eye out for common traumatic brain injury symptoms. Early diagnosis can allow the individual to seek prompt medical treatment.

Prolonging medical evaluation can lead to complications and adversely affect the injured victim's personal injury case. Insurance companies are quick to blame the delay in treatment for the injuries to avoid payouts.

It's important for injured victims to seek medical assistance immediately after the accident and reach out to an experienced auto accident law firm to protect their rights.

What Happens During a Brain Bleed Injury?

Brain bleed is one of the most severe traumatic brain injuries and requires immediate medical attention. This is can caused from a blunt force trauma car accident. When the rich oxygen-filled blood begins leaking, it can deprive the brain of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function.

Besides the lack of oxygen, which can slowly deteriorate the brain's health, the leaking blood starts to pool, causing pressure on the brain. As brain cells die, it can cause damage to the nerve cells, adversely impacting the different bodily functions.

Diagnosing and Evaluating a Brain Bleed Injury

When the brain bleeds, it can be challenging to diagnose the injury without a proper medical evaluation.

Doctors will first evaluate the symptoms and then recommend a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or magnetic resonance angiogram of the brain for diagnosis.

In some cases, the brain specialists may recommend additional tests, such as electroencephalogram, complete blood count, spinal tap, and conventional angiography, among others.

Treatment of Brain Bleeds Following a Car Accident

A brain bleed is a serious traumatic brain injury that requires immediate medical attention, as prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of recovery.

Brain specialists may recommend different types of treatments, which may vary from one case to another. Some of these include the following:

• Medication to manage the victim's high blood pressure;

• Anti-epileptic drugs to control the victim's seizures;

• Painkillers to combat headaches; and

• Fluids to replenish the nutrients in the body.

The doctor may recommend surgery in the following situations involving a severe traumatic brain injury:

• When the brain bleeding causes pressure on the brain, the specialist may advise a burr hole procedure, craniectomy incision, or craniotomy.

• If the cerebral aneurysm has not yet ruptured, the brain specialist may suggest a surgical craniotomy to seal the artery.

• When the arteriovenous malformation (AVM) has not yet ruptured, the specialist may recommend computer-guided radiation or surgery to block the blood from flowing into the AVM.

Is There a Need for Rehabilitation after a Brain Bleed Injury?

During a brain bleed, the damage to the brain and nerve cells could adversely impact the victim's bodily functions. When that happens, there may be a need for physical, speech, or occupational therapy and rehabilitation.

The specialist may also work with the victim to help them change their lifestyle to prevent the risk of another hemorrhage or head trauma.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Brain Bleed Injury?

The time it takes to recover from a brain bleed injury following a car accident varies from one case to another. There are several factors that can affect the recovery period, including the victim's age, overall health, and the severity of the injury.

Can the Injured Victims Recover Compensation for Their Brain Bleed Injury?

Under the personal injury law in St. Louis, Missouri, injured victims may be able to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver for the damages caused.

Missouri is a pure comparative fault state, meaning that the injured victims may receive compensatory damages even if they're partially at fault for their injuries.

It's important to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to help assess the case and gather evidence to prove the other party's negligence.

A Brain Bleed Can Lead to Financial Damage. Powell Law Firm Can Help the Injured Victims!

Those who have suffered a brain bleed due to another's negligence should call to schedule a free consultation with the legal team at Powell Law Firm to discuss their case and learn more about their rights.