When vehicles collide on a Louisiana highway, the days and weeks that follow the incident may include a lot of pain and suffering for those involved. Recovering victims may need specialized medical care, especially if they suffered critical or life-threatening injuries. If you’re involved in a collision, your injuries might not be immediately apparent; however, symptoms can develop hours or days later that suggest a serious, underlying problem, such as a basilar skull fracture.
The basilar skull area is the bottom of your head where it meets your neck. It comprises approximately 20 or more bones. If you fracture this part of your skull, you must closely monitor your health because it could become a life-threatening situation at any time.
Signs often appears if a basilar skull fracture has occurred
A basilar skull fracture can cause blood to pool behind your ear, which often results in a crescent-shaped bruise. If such a bruise appears near your ear at any time after you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s imperative that you seek medical attention because this is a unique type of bruise that is highly indicative of a basilar fracture.
Such is also the case if you develop what the medical industry commonly refers to as “raccoon eyes,” which is bruising around the eyes that creates the look of the “mask” a raccoon has. If you also have additional symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting, mental confusion or slurred speech, clear fluid or blood leaking from your nose or ears, or headache, dizziness or loss of consciousness, doctors will want to run tests to check for a basilar skull fracture.
Holding a driver accountable for negligence
A basilar skull fracture is a serious injury. If another driver’s negligence caused the collision that resulted in injury, Louisiana law permits you to seek compensation for damages. Recovering from a basilar fracture takes several months. Such injuries often have permanent implications.
You must work closely with your neurosurgeon and medical team to develop a treatment plan that best fits your needs. You might also have loved ones and close friends who can help you function daily, including assisting you with personal hygiene, eating or other tasks, as needed.
Take one day at a time
Recovering from a traumatic brain injury that stems from a Louisiana car accident is challenging in many ways. Do not hesitate to reach out for support. It’s not uncommon to feel frustrated or angry during recovery, especially when a car accident was easily preventable and only occurred because of another person’s recklessness or negligent behavior.