The Dangers of Hematomas in a
Tampa Car Accident & Hiring a Lawyer to Help
A hematoma is one of
the most serious brain injuries you can sustain. A hematoma
can begin as a minor head bump in a Tampa Bay, Florida
car accident, only to develop into a life-threatening
injury that requires immediate treatment. Another surprising
aspect of a hematoma is that it may take days or weeks
to build into a serious injury, catching the victim off-guard
as it develops into permanent brain damage or even possibly
causes death.
It is frightening to
think that a fender bender in Tampa, Florida or a parking
lot accident in Clearwater can lead to someone fighting
for their life in the hospital, but this is the reality
of brain injuries like hematomas. Hematomas teach us at
least two important lessons: (1) always go to a hospital
after an auto accident in the Tampa Bay area, and (2)
call a Tampa car accident lawyer
about your case, even if you don't think you will need
reimbursement for your injuries. Unfortunately, many serious
injuries do not show themselves until time has passed,
but receiving treatment during this time can be crucial
to improving your chances for a full medical recovery
as well as a fair and just settlement in your case.
The simple definition
of a hematoma is bleeding in your brain. To understand
hematoma, it helps to know a little about your brain's
structure. Your brain sits inside your skull, protected
by fluid that surrounds it. In normal circumstances, your
brain floats in the fluid and moves around during minor
movement or bumps. In the event of a sudden blow or rapid
stop as in an auto accident, however, your brain can quickly
slide and impact the inner wall of your skull. When this
happens, blood vessels may rupture and begin bleeding.
This increases pressure inside your skull, pressing down
on your brain tissue and causing brain damage.
There are three types
of hematoma that can occur in situations like a car accident:
- Subdural hematoma—when
blood vessels rupture in the area between your brain
and dura matter (the outer membranes covering your brain).
Leaking blood pools on the brain and presses upon brain
tissue, eventually causing unconsciousness and possibly
death.
- Epidural hematoma—when
a blood vessel ruptures between the skull and the dura
(the outer membranes covering your brain). Leaking blood
quickly presses upon the brain, often causing a high
risk of death if not treated immediately.
- Intracerebral hematoma—when
blood pools in the brain because of a “shear” injury.
Brain tissue is torn as it slides across the bony surface
inside the skull, sometimes causing serious brain damage.
All three of the above
types of hematoma must receive immediate medical attention
as soon as symptoms appear. Symptoms of a hematoma include
nausea, vomiting, headache, unequal pupil size, drowsiness,
confusion, slurred speech, seizures, and unconsciousness.
Some hematomas, such as those caused by minor head injuries,
may take days, weeks, or months to develop. Often, medical
treatment of a hematoma will include surgery to remove
the blood accumulation and stop the blood leakage.
If you are the victim
of a serious injury because of someone's negligence on
Tampa Bay area roads, please contact Tampa car accident
lawyer Dale Appell, P.A. for a free assessment of your
case. Our law firm is here to assist clients in Tampa
as well as all neighboring areas such as Polk, Sun City
Center, Oldsmar, St Petersburg, Hernando, Clearwater,
Riverview, Tarpon Springs, Odessa, and Largo.
|
