When getting into a crash, you should worry the most about injuries to the head, neck and back. These areas of the body often suffer the most from damage due to their delicate and prominent nature.
In particular, injuries to the head can result in traumatic brain damage or even fractures of the skull. Either of these issues can create large health hurdles for a sufferer.
The force behind skull fractures
According to Merck Manual, skull fractures can have a significant impact on health and safety. This is due primarily to the amount of force behind a blow strong enough to fracture the bone of the skull. As this bone specifically protects the brain, it is quite thick in most places. Thus, a blow that fractures it will have a lot of strength and force behind it.
Risks of TBIs
In most skull fracture cases, the victim also suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), likely due to the brain hitting the inside of the skull. This can cause internal bleeding, bruising, contusions and swelling. If left unchecked, swelling can actually cut off the blood and oxygen supply to certain parts of the brain, resulting in cell death which can eventually cause permanent brain damage.
Skull fractures typically manifest in a way similar to TBIs as well. This can include full or partial paralysis of some or all limbs, repeated vomiting, seizures, agitation or severe mental confusion. If you notice these signs, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention, as this is the best way to reduce the chances of permanent brain damage resulting from a TBI or skull fracture.