When you think about head injuries that could happen in a crash, you may imagine hitting your head on the steering column or a window. What you may not think about is the risk of penetrating injuries, which can happen in a number of circumstances.
Penetration injuries are often caused by debris flying through the air during a collision. Objects that break through the windshield may also cause penetration injuries in some cases. For passengers, something as simple has holding a pencil or pen before impact could result in penetration injuries to the head, eyes or other parts of the body.
Penetrating head injuries, or open head injuries, are usually caused by high-velocity objects, but they can also be a result of the skull breaking inward and impacting the brain. A blow to the head, when hard enough, could result in a fractured skull that causes these types of injuries.
Penetration injuries require immediate medical evaluation
Since penetration injuries may impact the brain, there is a real risk that they will cause significant blood loss, coma, a loss of consciousness, paralysis, seizures or other acute symptoms. Anyone with a penetrating injury should stay where they are, call 911 and wait for medical help to arrive. Even if they feel okay, they should not try to drive to the hospital.
Penetrating injuries are survivable in many cases, but there is a real chance that a patient will need surgery and other medical interventions. After surgery, there is a potential for other problems related to the injury, such as issues with speech or vision because of the area of the brain that was injured or epilepsy from the disruption of normal brain patterns.
Those injured in auto accidents deserve fair treatment
After you’re in a car crash, you deserve to receive support and the medical care you need. This kind of injury may have a lasting financial impact, but it is possible to hold an at-fault driver responsible for their actions and to seek fair compensation from them. Doing this will let you focus on your health and recovery rather that your financial losses.
