Of all the different injuries that can happen in a car accident, one of the most severe types is a skull fracture. Not surprisingly, the impact in various types of car accidents can result in your head hitting various hard objects, from the steering wheel to the inside frame of the vehicle. When that happens, various types of skull fractures can occur, depending on the severity and direction of the impact.
A skull fracture and its related injuries can have profound, long-term implications for victims. Seeking medical attention and treatment is important, but knowing your legal options is equally important.
Experienced Spokane Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Any head injury means extensive medical treatment and health issues that can last far beyond the initial accident. In these unfortunate situations, understanding what your legal rights and options are could make all the difference in how you’re able to focus on your recovery.
Since 1948, the team of experienced Spokane car accident lawyers at Crary, Chuang, and Domanico, P.S. have provided clients with the legal support and direction they need to recover from a skull fracture and other injuries. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation.
Types of Car Accidents in Spokane
Car accidents of all kinds can happen in Spokane, and what’s worse, any of these various types of accidents often result in injuries. The nature of most of these accidents frequently leads to head injuries, which can include skull fractures. That said, while every type of car accident can result in a skull fracture, there are some that are more linked to them than others. Some of the more common types of Spokane car accidents that can lead to skull fractures include:
- Head-on collisions – When two vehicles collide head-on, it’s usually among the most serious types of car accident, and often results in significant head trauma. The sudden jolt of these collisions can cause the head to move abruptly, leading to skull fractures.
- T-bone or side-impact collisions – Side-impact collisions happen when a vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. These accidents can cause the driver or passenger’s head to hit the side window or door, leading to skull fractures.
- Vehicle rollovers – Rollovers are another severe type of accident, and can be caused by a variety of different factors. When a vehicle rolls over, the impact can cause severe head trauma, including skull fractures.
- Single-vehicle accidents – These occur when a driver loses control of their vehicle and crashes into an object such as a tree, a guardrail, or a wall. Depending on the severity of the collision, head trauma, and skull fractures can result.
- Multi-vehicle accidents – With multiple vehicles involved, multi-vehicle accidents can involve multiple points of impact, leading to a higher risk of skull fractures.
In the aftermath of a car accident, your first priority should be your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of anyone else in the car. Once you get to safety, make sure to check yourself for any injuries and seek medical attention. This is especially true if you or anyone else suffers head trauma that could involve a skull fracture.
How Common Are Skull Fractures in Spokane Car Accidents?
The reality is, a skull fracture can occur in any car accident that happens in Spokane. This is due to a number of different factors, like:
- Force of the impact
- The location of the injury
- Age and health of the driver or passenger
Along with these factors, the nature of a typical car accident in Spokane has conditions that lead to skull fractures:
- Impact with hard surfaces – During a collision, the driver or passengers may hit their heads against hard surfaces such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield, causing skull fractures.
- Penetrating objects – In some cases, debris from the accident, such as broken glass or metal, can penetrate the skull, causing skull fractures.
- Whiplash – The sudden jolt of a collision can cause the head to move abruptly, leading to skull fractures.
Basically, there are countless scenarios in a car accident that can lead to a skull fracture. Thus, it’s important to understand the physical and emotional effects that these injuries can have on you.
Health Issues From Skull Fractures in Spokane Car Accidents
A skull fracture is a rather general descriptor of the injury that can result from a car accident. In fact, there are a number of different types of skull fractures that can occur, such as:
- Linear fracture
- Depressed fracture
- Basilar fracture
- Diastatic fracture
- Open fracture
- Comminuted fracture
Regardless of the type of fracture, it’s the related health issues that are often more consequential to the victim. Depending on the severity of the fracture and the location of the injury, a number of different health issues can arise, including the following:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Skull fractures can lead to traumatic brain injuries, which can cause a wide range of physical and cognitive impairments. These may include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and physical disabilities.
- Seizures – People with skull fractures may experience seizures as a result of the injury. Seizures can cause loss of consciousness, convulsions, and other complications.
- Infections – Skull fractures can also increase the risk of infection, particularly if there is a break in the skin or if there is an open wound. Infections can cause fever, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms.
- Vision and Hearing Loss – Depending on the location of the skull fracture, it may also cause vision and hearing loss. For instance, a fracture near the eyes or ears can cause damage to the optic and auditory nerves, respectively.
- Chronic pain – Some people with skull fractures may experience chronic pain as a result of nerve damage, which can affect their quality of life.
As with any injury, it’s crucial that you try to get immediate medical attention, especially if you believe you have a skull fracture. Getting proper diagnosis and treatment is very important in identifying any potential skull fractures or other injuries and can prevent further complications. With early intervention, you increase your chances of achieving better recovery outcomes.
Pursuing an Injury Claim After a Spokane Car Accident
Suffering a skull fracture–or any other injury–is a stressful situation. With medical treatment comes bills, and a skull fracture is somewhat unique in that its related issues often make it difficult to live your life as you once did. This means missing work and missing out on your previous quality of life.
Washington law takes this into account when you decide to pursue your legal options. Generally, you can file an injury claim against the person responsible for causing the car accident that injured you. You can do this by filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, which our team of dedicated Spokane car accident lawyers can help you with.
An injury claim aims to recover compensation, known in legal terms as “damages.” Damages in a car accident injury claim include:
- Any medical expenses from your skull fracture, which can include hospital bills, doctor visits, prescription medication, and physical therapy.
- Any and all costs relating to lost wages and future earning capacity if your injury prevents you from working.
- The costs relating to the pain and suffering you experience from the accident or injuries, as well as any emotional distress that it caused
- Any costs relating to property damage from the accident. This includes repairing your vehicle or even a full replacement.
It’s important to understand that every claim is unique, so what you’re ultimately able to recover depends on the circumstances of your case and how severe your damages are. It’s here that our team can make sure you get the compensation you deserve by helping you gather all the necessary records and documentation, as well as helping you navigate the claims process.
Contact CCD Law For Guidance After a Spokane Car Accident
At CCD Law, our team of experienced Spokane lawyers has helped numerous clients through the painful experience of a car accident. When you or a loved one suffers a skull fracture or any other serious injury, we’ll be there to help guide you through the legal process to get the available benefits and support you need to restore some normalcy to your life. Don’t hesitate to get the help you need, contact us today for a free consultation.
