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Head Trauma from Car Accident

Open head injuries are often serious and may require ongoing treatment with a poor prognosis.

open head injury car crash

Brain injuries are the most serious car crash injuries. Almost all brain injuries are serious, but the prognosis depends largely on the extent and location of the damage. There are different types of brain injuries that a person can suffer in a car accident and they can have serious consequences for the victim and his or her family. An open head injury is considered the most serious and has a poor prognosis.

An open head injury occurs when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain. These injuries are usually focal, meaning it affects a specific area of the brain and often leads to permanent disabilities and even death. The prognosis for an open head injury is important when pursuing a car accident compensation claim. As a general rule, the poorer the prognosis, the higher the damages an injured person may be entitled to.

Long-Term Prognosis of an Open Head Injury

High-velocity open head injuries usually have the worst prognosis due to the extent of damage that is caused. In case of a car accident, a variety of objects can turn into high-velocity projectiles and may penetrate the skull causing a penetrating injury that is severe or even life-threatening.

A car accident victim who suffers a penetrating brain injury may suffer disabilities depending on the part of the brain that has been damaged. For example, if the person has suffered a penetrating frontal lobe injury, he or she may experience personality changes.

Complications of an Open Head Injury

An open head injury may be accompanied by other complications:

The victim may have a poor long-term prognosis, including numerous complications:

  • disseminated intravascular coagulation
  • acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • late onset post-traumatic epilepsy
  • neurogenic pulmonary edema

Compensation for an Open Head Injury

Open head injuries require extensive and prolonged treatment. Even after the initial recovery, the patient may require medications and therapy for a lifetime. It is important to calculate the claim amount taking into account all present and future expenses. It is in your best interest to hire a St. Louis car wreck attorney to get the compensation that you deserve. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a case evaluation.

Updated: January 12, 2021