When you hear the term “blunt force head trauma,” your mind almost certainly turns to thoughts of violent assaults. In reality, blunt force head trauma can be caused by just about any non-penetrating blow to the skull.
The Leading Causes of Blunt Force Head Trauma
Some of the most common causes of blunt force head trauma include:
Car Accidents
Traffic collisions are undoubtedly one of the major causes of blunt force head trauma in the United States. In many instances, the injury can be caused by jolting forward after a crash and hitting your head against the steering wheel or dashboard. In other cases, the trauma may be caused by a projectile striking your skull during the accident.
Falls
Falling and hitting your head against a solid object often results in a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. You do not need to fall from a great height to seriously injure yourself. Even something as simple as falling off of a chair while changing a light bulb and banging your skull against a nearby table can cause quite a bit of damage.
Sports
Although playing a sport is an excellent way to stay in shape, it may also result in blunt force head trauma. The danger is not just limited to violent or aggressive sports such as football, boxing, or hockey. It is also possible to pick up a severe traumatic brain injury while cycling, horseback riding, or even golfing.
Physical Assaults
Being stuck over the head during a physical assault can lead to some pretty serious traumatic brain injuries. Baseball bats, construction tools, and human fists all have the potential to cause life-long injuries. Even if you feel fine in the immediate aftermath of the assault, it is still a good idea to visit your doctor for a check-up, just in case.
The Effects of Blunt Force Head Trauma
No two cases of blunt force head trauma are exactly alike. In some instances, you may begin to feel the symptoms of your injury immediately. In others, the effects can take weeks or even months to become noticeable.
The most common short-term effects of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Slurred speech
- Blurry vision
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
Short term memory loss
- Lack of coordination
- Irritability
- Partial paralysis
If your traumatic brain injury is particularly severe, you may also suffer some long-term effects, such as:
- Chronic headaches
- Total or partial loss of vision
- Total or partial loss of smell
- Total or partial loss of taste
- Change in personality
- Memory issues
- Speech and language difficulties
What should I do if I believe I have suffered a traumatic brain injury?
If you have suffered blunt force trauma to your skull, your first step should always be to pay a visit to your doctor. They will be able to better ascertain the severity of your injuries. Depending on their initial results, you may be sent for additional testing, such as an MRI.
Once the testing has been completed and your doctor has a better understanding of the extent of your injuries, they will then discuss your treatment options. Often, treatment will be as simple as taking some medication and taking a few days to rest. However, if your injuries are serious, you may need to have surgery or attend rehab.
If your head trauma was caused by the negligence of another party, you can file suit against them. Doing so may give you the financial compensation you need to cover your medical bills, loss of income, and other costs. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to help you with the process.
Doehrman Buba Ring – Blunt Force Head Trauma Experts in Indianapolis
Here at Doehrman Buba Ring, we have helped countless Hoosiers recover the compensation they deserve after their traumatic brain injury. We would love to work with you too. Give us a call today at (317) 844-9999 to set up an initial consultation with one of our Indiana personal injury attorneys.