The Danger of Skull Fracture Injuries Resulting from South Florida Auto Accidents

Car accidents in Florida and across this nation occur every day. Many victims of auto accidents suffer head, brain, and skull injuries due to the severe force of a collision and/or a blow to the head. When a driver’s head hits the steering wheel or someone goes through the windshield, the impact can be great enough to cause blunt force trauma to the head.

Severe trauma to the head can result in a skull fracture, which typically occurs when the bone of the skull breaks or cracks. When this happens, it increases the risks of brain damage. However, there are many different types of skull fractures – some more severe than others – caused in Fort Lauderdale auto accidents, including:

• Linear skull fracture is when the cranial bone breaks without splintering or distorting the bone. This type of fracture can lengthen when the brain swells.
• Simple fracture results when the bone breaks without damaging the skin.
• Depressed skull fracture is when a break in the cranial bone causes a portion of the skull to crush in toward the brain. This type of skull fracture causes contusions and bruising to the brain, which may require surgery.
• Compound fracture results when the break in the cranial bone causes splintering of the bone or loss of skin.
• Penetrating skull fracture is when something pierces the skull and causes a localized injury to the brain tissue.

Injuries that Result from Skull Fractures

When any of these skull fracture injuries occur as a result of a South Florida auto accident, it can lead to complications and even death. Sometimes, skull fractures can cause serious injury to cranial nerves, affect vision, cause infection, and increase the risk of brain damage.

When fractures at the bottom of the skull occur, it can cause tears in the tissue covering the brain, which means that bacteria can enter the skull. This can often cause serious infections and lead to severe brain damage.

When major blood vessels in the head are damaged it can lead to a hematoma, which is heavy bleeding around the brain. Hematomas can cause brain damage and are usually divided into three categories:

1. Epidural hematoma is when bleeding occurs between the skull and the dura
2. Subdural hematoma is when bleeding happens between the dura and arachnoid membrane
3. Intracerebral hematoma is bleeding with the brain

Every head trauma is different. Some skull fractures can heal on their own after minor injuries, and others need surgery to repair the damage done to the brain. If you or someone you love suffered a skull fracture after a serious South Florida car crash, you will need the maximum possible compensation available for your recovery.

Please call a knowledgeable and caring Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer at Chalik & Chalik at (888) 539-5297 to receive a free, no-obligation discussion of your case and a free copy of our book Dealing with the Aftermath: 7 Mistakes to Avoid Following a Florida Accident.