Brain Bleeds After a Car Accident in Illinois

 Posted on March 20, 2024 in Personal Injury

Brain bleeds, also referred to as intracranial hemorrhages, are a grave consequence of car accidents. The immense force and abrupt deceleration involved in crashes can inflict severe trauma upon the delicate structures of the brain, leading to various types of bleeding within the cranial cavity. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain bleed injury in a vehicle accident, it is important to speak with an Illinois personal injury lawyer to understand what legal options you may have.

How Do Brain Bleeds Occur?

Although encased within the protective confines of the skull, the brain is particularly vulnerable to injury when there are any kind of rapid acceleration or deceleration forces, such as those that happen in car accidents. These forces can cause the brain to collide against the skull's inner surface, resulting in contusions, lacerations, or the tearing of blood vessels. These injuries usually initiate bleeding within the brain, causing intracranial hemorrhages.

Types of Brain Bleeds

Several types of brain bleeds can occur in car accidents, each with its distinctive characteristics and potential complications:

• Epidural Hematoma - This type of brain bleed occurs when blood accumulates between the skull and the outermost layer of the brain's protective covering, known as the dura mater. In a crash, the sudden impact can cause a skull fracture, which in turn may damage an arterial blood vessel, leading to bleeding into the epidural space. Epidural hematomas can exert dangerous pressure on the brain if not promptly addressed, potentially causing life-threatening complications.
• Subdural Hematoma - Subdural hematomas involve bleeding between the dura mater and the underlying arachnoid membrane. The shearing forces exerted on the brain in a crash can tear bridging veins that crisscross this area, resulting in the accumulation of blood. Subdural hematomas often present with a slower onset of symptoms compared to epidural hematomas but can still pose significant risks, particularly if they progress and exert pressure on adjacent brain tissue.
• Intracerebral Hemorrhage - This type of brain bleed involves bleeding directly into the brain tissue itself, usually due to the rupture of small blood vessels within the brain parenchyma. When a crash occurs, the rapid deceleration forces can cause the brain to impact against the bony structures of the skull, leading to contusions and the subsequent rupture of blood vessels. Intracerebral hemorrhages can result in extensive damage to vital brain regions and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates.
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - Subarachnoid hemorrhages involve bleeding into the space between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater, which envelops the brain's surface. While less common in car accidents than other types of brain bleeds, subarachnoid hemorrhages can occur if sudden deceleration forces rupture an intracranial aneurysm or other vascular malformations.

Impact of Brain Bleed Injuries

The consequences of brain bleeds resulting from car accidents can be devastating, ranging from immediate neurological deficits to long-term cognitive impairments and disabilities. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical when it comes to minimizing the potential damage caused by these types of injuries. Depending on the severity and type of brain bleed, interventions may include surgical evacuation of the hematoma, pharmacological measures to reduce intracranial pressure, and rehabilitation efforts aimed at maximizing functional recovery.

Contact a Bloomingdale, IL Car Accident Lawyer for Legal Assistance

If you have suffered a brain bleed or any other type of injury in a crash, make sure you have a skilled DuPage County, IL car accident attorney advocating for you. Call Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices at 630-932-9100 to schedule a free case evaluation. We have three office locations for your convenience: Lombard, Bloomingdale, and Naperville.