Some statistics state that each year in the United States, one million people are evaluated by medical doctors due to some type of blow to the head. Of that number, 50,000 to 100,000 will have ongoing symptoms from the blow to the head that will negatively impact their quality of life. Many of these head injuries come from car accidents like those we see occur everyday in the Pearland, Highway 288 and Houston areas.
Even at low speeds and even without being hit by something or hitting something in the vehicle at traumatic brain injury may result. There are basically three different processes that can occur after a blow to the head or a closed head injury that are injurious to the brain. These processes are brusing/bleeding, tearing and swelling.
Most of the injury critereia used by the NHTSA and other governmental agencies is related to how fast the body decelerates. Indeed, whether you are speaking of car seats for kids or seatbelts for adults, these safety items must meet certain “ride-down” or “deceleration” requirements. For example, if you are in a car traveling 45 miles per hour and you read head-on into an immmovable wall, your body decelerates from 45 mph to zero in an instant. This is what happens to your brain as well. The soft tissue of the brain is propelled at a given rate against the hard bone in the skull. The brain is compressed agains the bone which may result in tearing of blood vessels and brusing of the brain. The blood may leak into the brain in a random pattern and it has no where to go. There is simply no room for the excess blood in this part of your body. The blood begins to compress the softer brain tissue which may in turn do damage to the tissue. This could stop the area of the brain from working. This is likely what has occurred in those situations where you have heard someone stating they feel fine after an accident but hours later they are in a coma. The bruising/bleeding process sill in certain instances occur over time.
Are clients often describe to us that they “flew back and forth” in the car as a result of the impact. After the brain is thrown against the front part of the skull as the body moves backward the brain is thrown again against the back of the skull. So bruising can occur in the front, back and other areas of the brain as well. This is known in the medical field as a “contra coup” injury.
The brain tissue can also tear. Think of hitting a large block of ice with a hammer. Assuming it does not just crack to pieces, the ice will splinter with tears going all through the ice. This can also happen to the brain in an accident. This is a very serious condition as the tearing can cut the pathways in the brain that make it work.
Another bad thing about brain tears is the fact that the common objective radiological examinations for viewing the brain, a CT scan or an MRI, often do not reveal tears. This is very serious.
Swelling is another condition that arises in a Pearland, Highway 288 Auto Accident. Remember, there is no extra room inside the skull so when the brain begins to swell the tissues of the brain are put under great stress. Too much pressure can stop important structures controlling heartbeat, breathing, movement, speaking and many others vital functions. Doctors must often place shunts and operate to relieve this pressure.
Head injuries are catergorized as open or closed head injuries. If you have an “open” head injury your skull is actually fractured. In a closed head injury situation there is no opening so no way to relieve the various pressures I discussed above. These terms are not universally used any longer.
Injuries to the brain are always serious. Even the most mild concussion can have long-term consequences. Of course it is impossible in life to avoid all accidents, but there are things you can do to protect yourself and your brain. First and foremost always wear your seatbelt. Purchase the vehicle with the most safety features that you can afford. Don’t drink and drive. Make sure you secure your children in the back seat in the correct safety seat.
You cannot take your future for granted if you have suffered a brain injury in a car accident anywhere, or along Highway 288 or in the Pearland area. You really will need the help of an attorney that is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Both of the founding partners of Denena & Points, PC – Chad Points and Tony Denena – are Board Certified. Even if you choose not to hire our Firm for your case please consider only hiring a Board Certified attorney. Download yourself a copy of one of our informational books for FREE. Spend some time on our site learning about the different accident scenarios and what to watch out for. If you have any additional questions about your Highway 288 car accident or your Pearland car accident, do not hesitate to call us at 877-307-9500 to get answers to your questions and the help you and your family deserve.