Brain Swelling After Car Accident

Brain swelling after a car accident occurs due to different reasons. It all depends on the nature of the accident. That said, some common reasons for this type of swelling include the impact of a blunt object or the rupturing of blood vessels through contact with broken bones.

Either way, none of these cases are good. The sooner you seek immediate medical attention, the better.

Realistically, brain swelling is one of the leading causes of death after a car accident. Here is how this happens:

The brain needs oxygen to function properly. The oxygen is usually transferred to the brain via the vasculature, a network of blood vessels. However, when these blood vessels get damaged due to impact, the flow of oxygen into the brain is interrupted.

As a result, the brain begins to shut down slowly. If it stays without oxygen for a prolonged period, usually just a few hours, the individual might go into a coma. Then, depending on how badly the brain has been damaged, it might be too late to save the injured. Ultimately, they might succumb to the injuries.

Yes, it is important that you get checked by a doctor even if you feel fine after a car accident. The sooner you get checked, the better. It is also worth noting that most people who succumb to brain injuries after such an accident are not usually aware that they are injured. In fact, some feel fine most of the time, while others might suffer minor symptoms such as headaches.

This is one of the reasons such injuries are usually severe; they do not show their symptoms until it is too late. For example, in the case of internal bleeding caused by ruptured veins, the symptoms may seem mild in the first place. Such symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, body aches, etc. And when that happens, some people tend to ignore such symptoms. Those who seek help do not go beyond buying painkillers at their local pharmacies.

But these are not the kind of injuries that can be treated with painkillers. The pain medication will only take the pain away, making you believe you are fine. But the fact remains that your health and life are at risk when you do not seek immediate medical attention after a car accident.

The doctors will conduct several tests to determine the full extent of the injuries sustained. Here are some common tests you will likely need if you suffer brain injuries after a car accident.

Head and Neck Examination

The doctor will examine your head and neck even before checking your brain. They will likely gently move your head and neck and ask you whether you feel any pain. If you feel pain, they will ask you to describe it on a scale of 1 to 10. This test is designed to detect other potential injuries, such as whiplash.

Neurological Tests

This test is done to determine whether your nerves are in good condition. When you get injured in a car accident, there is always the risk of nerve damage. This is one of the reasons some accident victims suffer permanent paralysis.

CT Scan

Also known as computerized tomography, this test examines different parts of your brain. In other words, the doctor will take pictures of your brain to determine the impact of the damage. Only after reviewing these pictures will the doctor be able to tell how badly you have been injured as a result of the accident.

MRI Scan

The doctor might also conduct magnetic resonance imaging to have a better look at the extent of the injuries. This scan is quite similar to a CT scan, but the main difference is that a CT scan uses x-rays while an MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves. An MRI scan provides clearer and more detailed images.

Keep in mind that the doctor might conduct additional tests depending on the severity of your injuries. For example, in addition to these tests, the doctor might examine your temperature, stool, urine, and blood.

Yes, you may be able to get treatment for brain swelling after a car accident. But this will depend on how soon you seek medical attention. The sooner you see a doctor, the better your chances of getting the treatment you need.

That said, some common treatments for brain swelling after an automobile accident include:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Earlier, we mentioned that ruptured blood vessels could lead to reduced oxygen supply to the brain. For this reason, this form of treatment helps restore the oxygen levels in the brain, preventing it from shutting down.

IV Fluids

The injured might also need IV fluids to stabilize blood pressure. This treatment can also help reduce swelling.

Ventriculostomy

When you suffer brain damage, the cerebrospinal fluid might leak into the brain. As the name suggests, cerebrospinal fluid is a liquid found in the spinal cord and brains of all vertebrates.

This liquid cushions the brain and spinal cord from impact, but if exposed to heavy impact, the layer holding the fluid might break, leading to a leak, which also causes brain damage. To avoid this, the doctor might conduct a procedure known as ventriculostomy, meant to drain the leaking fluid from the brain.

Other than the procedures described above, the doctor will prescribe different medications to reduce swelling and pain throughout the treatment. Unfortunately, these medications are usually expensive. Even worse is that your health insurance might not cover such expenses.

There is no doubt that treatment for brain swelling is expensive. The procedures described above cost thousands of dollars. However, this does not mean that you will not be able to receive treatment. An experienced car accident lawyer will review the specifics of your case and identify the party responsible for compensating you.

In most cases, the injured may qualify for treatment through their automobile health insurance. This is especially true if they are covered against bodily injury. However, the automobile insurance policy might not be enough to cover full medical expenses. For this reason, the attorney will explore other options, including filing a claim against the other party's insurance provider. This option works best if the other party is at fault for the accident.

You may also be eligible for additional compensation if you purchased uninsured or underinsured coverage. As the name suggests, this type of insurance protects you if the other party did not have insurance or had insufficient coverage to settle your medical bills or other expenses deriving from your accident.

Lastly, the attorney might be able to help recover compensation from other negligent parties other than the driver at fault. For example, suppose the accident happened partly due to a faulty vehicle part. In that case, the attorney might be able to sue the part manufacturer to recover additional compensation to cover your general damages.

The bottom line is that an experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate these hurdles in your pursuit of compensation. They will review the unique circumstances of your case and identify every possible way to recover compensation for your injuries.

Being at fault for an accident does not bar you from receiving the necessary treatment. For instance, in states like Florida, all drivers must have Personal Injury Protection insurance. Therefore, when you get injured in an accident in Florida, you must file a claim with your insurance provider. The insurance provider should compensate you even if you are at fault. This is known as a “no-fault” system.

It is also important to note that you do not necessarily need to be in a “no-fault” system to receive compensation or treatment for brain swelling. Each state in the US follows a particular legal principle when determining negligence in such accidents. Therefore, in some states, you may be able to recover compensation even if you were 99% at fault for the accident.

It is, therefore, crucial to discuss the accident with an experienced attorney to understand your options. You may even be surprised to realize that from a legal standpoint, you are not to blame for the accident.

No. It is never advisable to accept such offers, especially without an attorney. As mentioned earlier, it is expensive to treat brain swelling. Unless you have an attorney with you, do not accept any out-of-pocket offer.

Keep in mind that you may be entitled to many other forms of compensation other than your medical expenses. An experienced attorney will review your case and reveal additional damages you may be able to recover. But suppose you agree to settle the case without an attorney, and you actually sign the settlement agreement. If so, you cannot file a new case even after discovering that you deserve way more than the initial settlement offer.

Again, this will depend on the unique circumstances of your case. However, in most cases, the injured can recover economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning potential, the cost of medical equipment, and other financial losses or expenses. On the other hand, non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-financial losses.

The court might also award you punitive damages to punish the defendant for their gross negligence. However, punitive damages are not guaranteed; only the judge or jury can decide whether you deserve it.

Car accident attorneys are all over the United States. However, when looking for someone to represent you in such a sensitive and serious matter, you should only work with the best. And when it comes to finding the best, there is only one Morgan and Morgan.

But do not take our word for it; here is why we are the best:

• Morgan and Morgan is the largest personal injury law firm in the US.
• We have represented thousands of car accident victims and won over $13 billion as compensation for different injuries so far
• We have over 28,000 5-star reviews on Google alone.
• We have been fighting for the injured since 1988
• Our attorneys serve clients from coast to coast.
• We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Now that you know where to find a compassionate and experienced attorney to fight for you, it is time to fill out our free case evaluation form. And if you have a valid claim, this could be the beginning of your journey to compensation.