by hisbabydoll

Created on: December 01, 2008   Last Updated: July 25, 2011

Car accidents result in over 500,000 hospitalizations and around four million emergency room visits each year in the United States. The majority of victims suffer brain injury, head trauma and neck injury as their primary injury along with other body trauma. Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death for Americans under 45, with millions more currently suffering from some form of traumatic brain injury disability. Different brain, head and neck injuries incurred as the direct result of a motor vehicle accident include:

Edema (swelling of the brain): Can occur when the head strikes or is struck by a blunt object such as a windshield or a steering wheel. Swelling caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid prevents blood from entering the skull to deliver glucose and oxygen to the brain. Treatment includes medication to relieve swelling, or placing a drainage hole in the skull.

Hematoma: A collection of blood in the brain caused by tissue injury or by tearing a blood vessel. Particularly worrisome, hematomas can occur days after sustaining a brain injury. Symptoms can occur immediately or after several days and include headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, weakness in the limbs of one side of the body, dilated pupils, confusion, and slurred speech. Treatment of hematoma often requires surgery. Moreover, sufferers may continue to experience emotional issues, amnesia, headache and attention issues long into recovery.

Loss of consciousness: Can occur with head trauma. Damage occurs when the brain collides against the inside of the skull. Often the injury occurs on the part of the brain directly opposite to where the head was struck. Loss of consciousness ranges from brief confusion to several days of coma.

Herniated cervical disks: Cervical disks are spinal vertebrae in the neck. When these disks move out of place they are said to be herniated. Whip-lash during a car accident, usually a "rear-ender," is a common cause of herniated disks. Symptoms include arm muscle weakness; neck pain; deep should blade pain; pain radiating to shoulder, upper arm and forearm; neck muscle spasms; and pain made worse with coughing, straining or laughing. Treatment includes a rest period, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and sometimes surgery or steroids.

Pinched nerves: Occurs when tissue presses on nerves causing a lasting or sudden pain. Sudden jarring movements common to car accidents will often cause pinches in the cervical disks. Pinched nerves cause pain to radiate from the neck or upper shoulder down to the arms and hands, burning or stabbing pain, pins and needles sensation, muscles weakness, and tenderness or numbness in the limbs. Treatment ranges from rest with hot and cold therapy to surgery, steroid injections and physical therapy.

Facial fractures, lacerations and bruising: Around 70 per cent of car accidents cause facial injury ranging from cuts and scrapes (lacerations) to bruises to disfigurement. Fractures can occur in the nasal bones, jaw, chin, brow or cheekbones; accompanied by loss of function, pain, swelling and even permanent changes in facial structure. Facial trauma can lead to death if severe bleeding interferes with the airway. Treatment includes bandaging, stitching, antibiotics, pain medication and sometimes surgery for more serious injuries.

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