Open head injury is among the most severe types of car accident injuries drivers and passengers can sustain after a collision. They result when the force of impact to the head is significant enough to penetrate the soft tissue of the head and scalp into the skull.

Types of Open Head Injuries

There are four classifications of open head injuries, and depending on the severity, victims may be left fighting for their lives.

Linear Skull Fracture

This is the most common and least severe open head injury that results from a car accident. It means the skull fractured but not enough for it to expose the brain’s soft tissue. Even though it is not as severe, victims can still suffer from long-term symptoms.

Basilar Skull Fracture

Basilar fractures take place at the base of the skull, which can cause complications with fluid leaking from the brain.

Depressed Skull Fracture

In this type of fracture, skull fragments can penetrate the brain, causing problems such as bruising, bleeding, and severe brain damage. The result can be the loss of all normal human functions.

Diastatic Skull Fracture

These fractures are sustained at the part of the skull that fuses when growing from childhood to adulthood.

Symptoms & Signs

Open head injuries are not always apparent on the scene. Signs and symptoms may not appear immediately and can take days or even weeks to arise. Here are some common signs and symptoms to look for in the days following the accident.

Common symptoms include:

Loss of motor functions (such as dizziness, loss of balance, convulsing or seizures)
Unequal pupil sizes
Nausea and vomiting
Bleeding from the head
Abnormal behavior such as problems with speech, mood changes/swings, feeling depressed or anxious, memory or concentration problems
Stiffness in the neck
Severe, incurable headaches
Difficulty sleeping, fatigue, or drowsiness
Inability to awaken from sleep
Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes or no loss of consciousness but a state of feeling dazed, confused, or disorientated
Fluid draining from the nose or ears
Sensitivity to sound or light
Blurred vision, ringing in ears, a bad taste in mouth, or odd changed in the ability to taste/smell

Open head injury isn’t something to take lightly. If you’ve sustained an open head injury due to another motorist’s negligence, you and your family may be eligible for compensation for your injury and recovery.