Types of Brain Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Crashes

Pedestrian accidents often lead to significant implications, including traumatic brain injuries. Though the brain is protected by one of the hardest bones of the body in the skull, it can be impacted by the speed, force, and overall impact of a heavy vehicle striking a body that is unprotected. Traumatic brain injuries may occur from that impact directly or may be due to being thrown or otherwise hitting a head on a hard surface after the accident. The types of brain injuries caused by pedestrian crashes are numerous. A Boston pedestrian accident attorney at the Cashman Law Firm can be of assistance.

What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries Pedestrians May Suffer?

A traumatic brain injury is the most severe form of injury to the brain tissue. It can occur due to the impact and force of the head moving back and forth rapidly in the skull. It may also occur due to damage to the brain tissue in a puncture to the skull.

The most common types of these brain injuries include:

• Concussions: This type of injury can occur when the brain hits the skull due to the force of an injury. That impact can damage the tissues and nerve endings present. Concussions range from mild to severe, with both short-term and long-term potential outcomes.
• Contusions: Contusions are bruising to the brain tissue, much like any other tissue that could suffer a bruise. The brain tissue may be damaged significantly or mildly in these cases.
• Diffuse axonal injury: Diffuse axonal injury occurs when there is some type of damage to the brain that impacts the specific nerves present there. This typically occurs as a result of the brain striking and bouncing off the inside wall of the skull due to the force of the impact.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage: A complicated term, subarachnoid hemorrhage refers to any situation that leads to bleeding in the brain or the skull brought on by broken blood vessels.
• Hematoma: A hematoma is a significant injury in which a blood vessel ruptures. This causes the development of a blood clot in the brain, which can block blood flow to other areas and lead to damage or death to the brain tissue.

What Are the Outcomes of Brain Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Accidents?

The severity and overall impact of any brain injury is dependent on multiple factors including the way the person is struck, the amount of exterior and interior damage, and the overall location. Many people face thinking, speaking, and emotional changes, including the lack of control and difficulty navigating daily life as a result.

It is also possible for these brain injuries to cause post-traumatic epilepsy, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease, especially in those who may be predisposed to these types of injuries.

Though there are numerous ways to treat most types of brain injuries, time and medical care is critical. In each situation, it becomes necessary for a person to seek out aggressive medical care to support the recovery and healing of the brain. All traumatic brain injuries must be considered serious. Call a Boston pedestrian accident attorney at the Cashman Law Firm today for a free consultation.