ATV Accident Injuries – Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury can result when the head is suddenly jerked, stricken, or penetrated with a foreign object. Such injuries can range from mild to severe. With a mild injury, the loss of full conscious awareness can persist for a short period of time. With a severe injury, there will be extended unconsciousness or memory loss.

ATV Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injuries

All-terrain vehicles require skill and training to operate safely. However, riding these vehicles often results in an accident, and with that is the risk of brain injuries. Whiplash, in particular, is damaging to the brain. When the head suddenly twists with the deceleration of the ATV, the brain can also move around, stretching the delicate nerve fibers within and damaging the cell’s ability to communicate with each other. Severe whiplash can result in a coma.

In the case of an explosion, flying debris can also cause head trauma that may result in severe brain injuries.

Different kinds of brain injuries that can be incurred from an accident or explosion include:

• Loss of consciousness – this may range from being a little dazed to being in a coma for several days. Loss of consciousness can also lead to permanent brain damage. The longer the person is unconscious, the more severe that damage will be.
• Post-traumatic amnesia – losing memory of the events both before and after the injury was inflicted. Typically, longer periods of amnesia lead to greater damage. If a victim is suffering from amnesia, they tend to have a tough time gauging the extent of their damage.
• Concussion – this is an altered awareness of trauma to a person’s head. Some symptoms of concussion include forgetfulness, disorientation, nausea, and dizziness.

Edema is a form of swelling that occurs in the brain and results in a rise in intracranial pressure. Typically, circulation is damaged, and the blood struggles to deliver important molecules to the brain. While medication may help to relieve the pressure, if it doesn’t work, fluid may be drained out by drilling a hole in the skull.

As a result of direct trauma to the brain, secondary injuries can also occur. When a blood vessel is torn, or tissue is injured, a collection of blood may build up in the skull. This is referred to as hematoma, and the bleeding can happen even days after the ATV injury occurs.

Reducing the Chances of Injury

There are a few strategies that can be used to reduce the change of a traumatic brain injury. Every time you get on an all-terrain vehicle, be sure to wear a helmet. Also, note that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can significantly reduce your awareness of what is going on, and thereby reduce your quality of safety and driving for everyone else around. Also, do not allow a child or inexperienced driver to handle an ATV, and always use the vehicle as it is intended – for off road riding.

By following these simple strategies, you can reduce or avoid traumatic brain injury if you are involved in an off-road accident or a vehicle explosion.