Can a Car Accident Cause a Stroke?


In a busy city such as San Antonio, Texas, the odds of getting into a car accident are relatively high. Unfortunately, drivers run the risk of getting into car accidents each time they get behind the wheel. In 2018 alone, the City of San Antonio reported 42,043 total car accidents and 135 fatal collisions. Most drivers know to look for injuries immediately following an auto accident. You may not know, however, that you could have a crash-related injury days or even weeks later.

Delayed Injuries and Auto Accidents

The physically and emotionally traumatic nature of an auto accident could impact a victim for a long time after the crash. Damage to the back, for example, may not cause any serious injuries right away but could compromise the spinal cord and make the victim more susceptible to related injuries later, such as a slipped or herniated disk. Another example of a delayed car accident injury that could be extremely dangerous for a victim is a stroke.

Car Accidents and Brain Injuries

A stroke happens when something interrupts or diminishes the blood supply to part of the brain, cutting it off from important oxygen and nutrients. This can damage the brain cells temporarily or permanently. Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., as well as a leading cause of permanent disability. For the most part, strokes stem from blocked arteries, leaking blood vessels, or blood vessel ruptures. Strokes may also arise due to factors associated with an auto accident, according to some studies.

Researchers have studied the connection between car accidents and strokes in the past and confirmed a cause-and-effect relationship. One study concluded that a car accident could cause a stroke, especially if the victim also sustained a traumatic brain injury. It found the risk of a stroke increased by up to 10 times for someone who previously had a brain injury. The risk is greater if the victim had a skull fracture. A stroke might not happen immediately following a car accident, however. In some cases, accident-related strokes occur as long as three months later.

A stroke is a life-threatening brain injury event that can cause symptoms such as sudden confusion, numbness, weakness, trouble speaking, trouble walking, dizziness, and loss of vision. Treatments vary based on the case. They often involve medications to reduce blood pressure or surgery to repair blood vessels. While some patients fully recover from strokes, others experience long-lasting or permanent effects and require ongoing rehabilitation. A crash-related stroke could change a victim’s life.

Do You Have a Personal Injury Case?

A car accident in San Antonio could cause many serious personal injuries. The brain, spinal cord and internal organs are some of the most susceptible parts of the body to catastrophic injuries in car accidents. Traumatic brain injuries can range in type, from concussions to cerebral hemorrhages. All types of brain injuries are serious and require medical attention. In some cases, a traumatic brain injury from a car accident could compromise the brain enough to increase the risk of a stroke.

If you or a loved one had a stroke in the days or weeks following a car accident, talk to a San Antonio car accident attorney about a potential lawsuit. You may be able to seek financial compensation from the person that caused your car accident for your stroke-related damages. These may include past and future medical bills, live-in care, rehabilitation, therapies, medications, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To obtain compensation for a stroke related to a car accident, you or your car accident lawyer will need to prove the crash more likely than not caused the stroke and that the defendant is at fault. Work with an experienced attorney to improve your chances of succeeding.

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