Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of skull fractures and brain injuries in Arkansas. Often caused by the head striking the steering wheel or dashboard, this type of injury can also arise after an object hits the back of a driver or passenger’s head.
There are four main types of skull fractures. A closed fracture occurs when the skin remains closed, while an open fracture involves a break in the skin as well as a break in the bone. A basal fracture occurs at the bottom of the skull, and and a depressed fracture occurs when the skull become depressed, often into the brain cavity. Skull fractures may or may not cause brain damage.
Symptoms of a skull fracture can include bleeding from the eyes, nose and ears as well as bruising, swelling and redness. Other symptoms may include a headache, balance issues, trouble concentrating, pain in the neck and loss of consciousness.
If a skull fracture results from a car accident that was caused by a negligent driver, the injured victim may wish to consult with an attorney who can help with filing a personal injury lawsuit. The attorney may be able to talk to witnesses and examine police reports in order to prove the at-fault driver’s negligence in court. If negligence can be proved, the driver would be deemed liable to compensate the victim for any accident-related expenses, such as hospital bills, rehabilitation costs and pain and suffering.
Source: Healthline, “Skull Fractures“, Mary Ellen Ellis, December 20, 2014