Blunt Force Trauma to The Head Explained

A blow to the head might seem harmless at first, but blunt force trauma is no small matter. Even if there’s no visible injury, the potential for serious complications is real. Whether it’s from a fall, an accident, or an impact on an object, it’s essential to pay attention to your symptoms and take action quickly. 

In this blog, we’ll explore what blunt force trauma to the head really entails, key warning signs to watch for, and why seeking professional medical attention is essential. If you need expert guidance, TK Injury Lawyers in Austin are here to support you.

What is Blunt Force Trauma?

A blunt force head trauma is the result of the skull making direct contact with an object. It is also known as a closed head injury since there is an object that exerts enough force to shake the brain inside of the skull.

Head injury is the most common cause of death in blunt force trauma. The severity of the injury depends largely on the size of the object and the speed of impact.

A blunt force trauma differs from a penetrating injury, in which an object pierces the skull, causing an open wound.

Causes of Blunt Force Trauma

Falls, car accidents, and sports injuries are the top three causes of blunt-force trauma to the head.

Falls

The National Safety Council estimates that 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments each year for falls. Adults ages 65 and older are at increased risk of falling due to vision problems and a decrease in balance and strength.

Car Accidents

Car accidents often involve a sudden deceleration from a high speed. This type of jerky motion will cause your brain to move rapidly back and forth within your skull, causing significant injury.

In many car accidents, your head will make contact with another object or surface, whether it be your steering wheel or the dashboard. You cannot depend on airbags to keep you out of harm’s way.

Sports Injuries

Those playing sports are susceptible to head injuries.

Any strike to the head will cause a rapid back-and-forth movement, which can damage brain tissue. This damage can affect how well brain cells can communicate with one another.

Although not usually life-threatening, when there is any type of severe blow to the head, medical attention is required.

Can Blunt Force Trauma Injuries Be Fatal?

Yes, blunt-force trauma injuries can be fatal. These injuries are especially dangerous when they affect internal organs, cause bleeding, or result in traumatic brain injuries (TBI). 

For example, the liver or spleen are at risk during collisions, and damage to these organs can cause serious bleeding that needs immediate medical care. Head injuries like concussions or skull fractures can quickly worsen, leading to brain swelling or pressure that impacts critical functions. 

Watch for symptoms like severe headaches, trouble breathing, confusion, or loss of consciousness. If these occur, seek emergency care immediately.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Blunt force trauma to the head can often lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI is an injury that affects brain function. In blunt force trauma, the victim may suffer a mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injury.

In a recent year, there were 69,473 TBI-related deaths in the United States. It is a primary cause of disability and death in adults.

When there is a severe amount of force on the brain, it often swells. The increase in intracranial pressure (the space between the brain and the skull) can prevent blood from flowing to the brain. If the brain is not receiving enough blood flow, brain function will be compromised as brain cells begin to die.

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Common TBI Injuries Related to Blunt Force Trauma

When someone sustains a TBI, there is a primary and secondary injury. The primary injury is the initial blow to the head. Those who suffer a head injury are also susceptible to a secondary injury. A secondary injury is the body’s response to the initial trauma.

Primary Injuries

Skull fracture

A skull fracture is the breaking of the skull. There are four types of skull fractures, including:

• Linear skull fracture: This is the most common type of skull fracture. In a linear skull fracture, there is a break in the bone, but it does not move the bone.
• Depressed skull fracture: a type of fracture in which the skull is sunken in from trauma sustained to the head. A depressed skull fracture may require surgery.
• Diastatic skull fracture: a type of fracture that usually occurs in newborns and older infants. This type of fracture occurs along the suture lines of the skull.
• Basilar skull fractures: the most serious type of skull fracture. A basilar skull fracture is a break in the bone at the base of the skull. Symptoms include bruising around the eyes and a bruise behind the ear. Patients with this type of skull fracture normally require close observation in the hospital.

Symptoms of a skull fracture include headaches, confusion, and pain or tenderness at the site of impact.

Contusion

A contusion is essentially a bruising of the brain, most common among children. The bruising can occur when small blood vessels get crushed, causing bleeding and swelling.

Symptoms will range from minor to severe and may include difficulty understanding speech, difficulty speaking, memory problems, and difficulty coordinating movements.

A contusion may lead to an intracranial hematoma. An intracranial hematoma is classified as a secondary injury since it usually develops days or weeks after head trauma.

Concussion

A concussion is a low-velocity injury that temporarily disrupts brain function. It is caused by a violent shaking of the head.

In some concussions, a person may lose consciousness. Common symptoms include headache, memory loss, confusion, nausea, and vomiting.

Laceration

A laceration is a tear in brain tissue or blood vessels of the brain. Greater physical force is required to cause a laceration than a contusion. Not all lacerations are visible.

Common symptoms include loss of consciousness, a persistent headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, and convulsions.

Diffuse axonal injury

A diffuse axonal injury is the tearing of nerve fibers in the brain’s white matter. It is caused by a shaking or strong rotation of the head, which can occur in a car crash.

Symptoms may include confusion, headache, sleep issues (trouble sleeping or sleeping longer than normal), and dizziness.

Secondary Injuries

• Hypoxia: insufficient oxygen in the brain
• Cerebral edema: swelling of the brain
• Increased intracranial pressure (ICP): increased pressure in the space between the brain and skull, which can result in parts of the brain being displaced (herniation)
• Meningitis: an infection that results in inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes (meninges)
• Intracranial hematoma: a condition in which blood pools within the skull, pressing on the brain. It is usually caused by a blood vessel that ruptures in the brain.

Physical Symptoms of Head Trauma

People who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury may experience physical, cognitive, mental, or behavioral symptoms or a combination of any of these symptoms. Sensory problems are more likely to present in mild head trauma.

Symptoms will vary based on the severity of the head trauma:

Mild head trauma

Physical symptoms:

• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Problems with speech
• Dizziness or loss of balance

Sensory problems:

• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Changes in the ability to smell
• Sensitivity to light or sound

Cognitive symptoms:

• Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
• No loss of consciousness but a state of being dazed, confused, or disoriented
• Memory or concentration problems

Behavioral symptoms:

• Mood changes
• Mood swings
• Feeling depressed or anxious
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sleeping more than usual

Moderate to severe head trauma

Physical symptoms:

• Prolonged loss of consciousness: from several minutes to hours
• Persistent headache or headache that worsens
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures
• Mydriasis (dilation of one or both pupils)

Cognitive symptoms:

• Profound confusion
• Agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behavior
• Slurred speech
• Coma and other disorders of consciousness

Five-Year Outlook

Even if a person survives a traumatic brain injury, 50% of those who survive continue to decline or die within five years after the initial injury.

For those individuals who suffered a moderate to severe TBI, five years after their injury:

• 57% are moderately or severely disabled;
• 55% do not have a job;
• 50% return to a hospital at least once;
• 33% rely on others for help with everyday activities; and
• 29% use illicit drugs or misuse alcohol.

Damages

A victim of a traumatic brain injury and his or her family members may be entitled to legal relief.

In every legal case, legal relief is paid in the form of damages. Damages are compensation in the attempt to make the injured party “whole” again.

Often a victim’s family may rely on them for financial support. A brain injury can jeopardize a family’s financial well-being, resulting in sacrifices that should not have to be made.

Compensatory damages come in two forms: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are losses that can be easily given a price tag, while non-economic damages are not easily quantifiable, but affect a person’s quality of life.

Economic damages include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Home services
• Rehabilitation equipment

Non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship, love, and affection
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement

An experienced Austin personal injury lawyer will be able to assess your case and determine what damages you may be able to recover.

When Should I Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident in Austin?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Austin, seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. 

Internal injuries, such as bleeding or organ damage, might be mild and may not produce symptoms immediately.  For example, a bruise from hitting the dashboard may appear modest, but it could conceal underlying tissue or blood vessel damage.  These injuries frequently deteriorate over time without warning symptoms, so urgent medical attention is essential.

Visits to the doctor ensure that injuries are detected early, preventing consequences.  Austin emergency departments can treat car accident injuries with X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to diagnose internal trauma.

Your Medical Records Help Link Your Injuries to the Crash

Maintaining detailed medical records after your accident is critical for linking your injuries to the crash. 

Medical paperwork is an essential piece of evidence in any personal injury case. By visiting a doctor promptly after the accident and following through on prescribed treatment, you can build a clear record linking your injuries to the incident. These records help your case by establishing a timeline and evidence of the severity of your injuries.

Neglecting medical attention could jeopardize your claim since insurance companies or opposing lawyers may question the reality of your injuries. If you were involved in a car accident in Austin, working with an experienced law company guarantees that your medical evidence is adequately presented to support your compensation claim.

FAQs 

What is an example of blunt force trauma? 

An example of blunt force trauma is the injury sustained when your head collides with the steering wheel during a car accident. This type of trauma can range from minor bruising to severe internal complications, such as concussions or brain hemorrhages. 

What does blunt force trauma feel like? 

Blunt force trauma can feel like intense pressure or pain at the site of impact. Symptoms might include sharp pain, swelling, or numbness, depending on the severity. Internal injuries may also cause symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, or abdominal pain. 

What is meant by blunt trauma? 

Blunt trauma refers to any injury caused by a forceful impact that doesn’t penetrate the skin, such as collisions, falls, or assaults. These injuries often involve internal damage to organs, fractures, or bruising.

What happens with blunt-force trauma to the head? 

Blunt force trauma to the head can lead to traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions, contusions, or skull fractures. These injuries can cause headaches, memory loss, confusion, or more severe complications like permanent brain damage.