The human skull consists of 27 bones and it’s designed to withstand substantial compression.
Unfortunately, when a car accident occurs that involves a forceful impact, a skull fracture can result if victims hit their head on the dashboard or other hard object.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Basics
A skull fracture is any break in the skull, and there are several different types of fractures. They include:
Simple Skull Fractures – This kind of fracture means the bone breaks but the skin is not damaged.
Compound Skull Fractures – Compound skull fractures result in a break of the bone or loss of skin along with splintering of the skull bone.
Linear Skull Fractures – This type of fracture happens when there is a break in a cranial bone that resembles a thin line.
Penetrating Skull Fractures – A penetrating skull fracture occurs when an object pierces the skull and leaves a distinct and localized injury to the brain tissue.
These fractures are often severe and cause victims a lengthy recovery period.
Symptoms
Most of the symptoms are obvious immediately following the accident, but at times victims may not know they have a problem for several days. Symptoms include:
- Slurred speech
- Change in pupil size
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Bleeding from the nose or ears
- Stiff neck
- Loss of consciousness
- Convulsions
- Restlessness
- Swelling
Complications
Skull fractures can cause brain damage and other complications. They include contusions, infections, and hematomas.
If you’ve sustained a skull fracture due to another driver’s negligence, please contact us. Should you have a claim, we will help you obtain a fair settlement.
