Pendergast Law Personal Injury Lawyers

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Pendergast Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Free Consultations  |  Phones Answered 24/7

Committed to helping you heal while we recover.

Do Car Crashes Cause Closed-Head or Open-Head Injuries?

The answer to this is unfortunately easy: a car accident may cause both closed head and open head injuries, but both may not be experienced by one victim.

Cars are multi-ton machines made of glass, metal, and other materials that are crushed, broken, twisted, and even demolished in devastating traffic accidents in Washington and throughout the country. With that in mind, it is interesting that so many drivers and passengers feel protected when they are inside their vehicles. During a minor “fender-bender” type accident, they may, in fact, be completely protected, but in the event of a major collision, the vehicle that they are in may end up causing a head injury. But how do you know if it is a closed head injury or an open head injury?

Open vs. Closed

Just as the names suggest, an open head injury occurs when an object penetrates or “opens” the skull. This can be a piece of glass from a window or windshield or may even be a piece of metal that was ejected during the crash.

Closed head injuries are strictly internal and occur when the soft tissue of the brain is damaged by hitting or being hit by an object. One of the most common types of closed head injury is a concussion.

Risks of Closed Head Injuries

Other than the obvious difference between these types of head injuries, there is also a big difference in how they are identified and treated. An open head injury is obvious. An injured car accident victim who suffers from an open head injury would likely be bleeding and have other visual evidence of the injury. It is clear that such an injury needs medical attention. On the other hand, a closed head injury is harder to identify and many car accident injury victims may not take a “bump in the head” seriously. This can unfortunately lead to severe symptoms and possibly long-term consequences.

The point of establishing these differences is to emphasize the importance of seeking medical attention right away, regardless of whether you just bumped your head or your head has a deep laceration.

Making Sure You Get the Care You Need

Getting the medical care you need is not as simple as just going to a doctor. There are issues of insurance coverage and other complications that may make recovery difficult. This is where the dedicated Seattle car crash attorneys at Pendergast Law, come in.

If your injuries are the result of another driver’s negligent or reckless actions, whether it was speeding or distracted driving, you may be entitled to compensation. We can listen to your story and determine whether you have a valid case. For a free consultation, contact us today: 888-539-9211.

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