One of the injuries commonly suffered by people involved in the car accidents is a skull fracture. There are various types of skull fractures, from simple fractures to more dangerous ones that might need surgery to treat it. Colorado residents who are involved in car accidents can benefit from recognizing the signs and types of skull fractures so they can seek treatment quickly.
While it is not always easy to see a skull fracture after being involved in a motor vehicle accident, there are some common symptoms. These include facial bruising or redness, bleeding from nose, ear and eyes as well as swelling, tenderness or pain around the affected area. Other less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches and blurred vision as well as fainting, confusion and even being unable to balance.
All skull fractures are not the same. Some people might have closed simple fractures without broken skin, which might require at most some pain medication. Others might suffer open or compound fractures, where the skin is broken and the bone emerges out of the break. Still others might suffer from depressed fractures, which means the skull can extend into the brain cavity. Finally, some victims might suffer basal fractures or fractures at the base of the skull. Depending on the seriousness of the fractures, surgery might be needed to treat it, particularly if there is leakage of the cerebrospinal fluid. However, some injuries heal on their own or might just need to be treated for pain during the healing process.
Colorado residents who suffer skull fractures in car accidents can undergo X-rays, CT scans or MRIs to diagnose the type and severity of the fracture. The correct diagnosis will lead to the appropriate treatment and can then be used as evidence in a personal injury claim to recover damages against a liable driver.
Source: Healthline, “Skull Fractures“, Mary Ellen Ellis, December 20, 2014