When the head sustains severe trauma, the result can be an almost immediate rupture of blood vessels near the brain, filling the space between the dura mater and the skull.
The dura mater, one of the three layers of tissue known as the meninges that separate the skull from the brain, is a notably tough structure, primarily meant to protect the brain from banging against the skull.
However, with a strong enough blow to the head, blood vessels may break, causing brain damage or even death within a short time.
Known as an epidural hematoma, this injury causes sufferers to lose blood at an extremely fast rate internally.
This intensity of injury is because, unlike subdural hematomas, which may also occur from head trauma, epidural hematomas notably rupture an artery responsible for locally circulating blood.
The severity of the arterial damage means that blood may flow more quickly, as it is more highly pressurized.
This reduces the amount of time effective treatment may be administered.
Generally, speaking there are two major causes for an epidural hematoma that are directly connected to trauma.
The first occurs when a person is struck in the side of the head.
This injury may also be suffered due to strong forces of acceleration or deceleration, such as crashing into an object or even being restrained during a particularly vicious collision.
One of the tell-tale signs of a hematoma of this kind is what is known as a lucid interval.
As with many brain injuries, the injured person may fall into coma initially.
However, with epidural injuries, that person may wake up for a short period of time.
If this occurrence happens, the likelihood of surviving this hematoma after treatment is markedly increased.
For additional information regarding the rights of an injured person or their family, contact a personal injury attorney.