Mark Anderson | June 16, 2026 | Brain Injuries
Skull fractures occur when one or more of the bones that make up the skull break because of a significant impact or trauma. These injuries can range from relatively minor cracks to severe fractures that place pressure on the brain or cause other serious complications.
Because skull fractures often occur alongside traumatic brain injuries, prompt medical evaluation is essential. Understanding the different types of skull fractures and the treatments available can help patients and their families make informed decisions during recovery.
Common Types of Skull Fracture Injuries in Texas
Skull fracture injuries range from minor linear ones to complex breaks that could put you at risk of suffering a brain injury. Here’s a closer look at the types that tend to happen in Texas.
Linear Fracture
A linear fracture is perhaps the most common type of break. It’s a clean, straight-line crack. The bone typically does not shift out of place with these fractures, so they are typically the easiest to treat.
Depressed Fracture
A depressed fracture is one in which the bone breaks and presses inward to the brain. It can involve multiple cracks and numerous skull fragments.
Basal Fracture
This type of break occurs at the base of your skull, including in the bones around your eyes and ears. A basal fracture can result in fluid leaks and severe bruising.
Diastatic Fracture
You have cranial sutures, which connect the bones in your skull. A fracture that causes these sutures to separate is generally diastatic.
Complex Fracture
Complex fractures involve more than one of these breaks or many areas of fractured bone.
Treating Skull Fractures
Many skull fractures don’t require extensive medical care aside from managing the associated head injury. You may need to be monitored in the hospital, however, to ensure that you have not suffered more serious injuries.
Linear fractures will typically heal on their own, but you may receive pain medications. If you suffer a seizure, as can sometimes occur with head trauma, you may need anti-seizure medication.
The treatment of depressed, basal, or diastatic fractures can depend on how severe the injury is. It may be necessary to drain fluid and to provide head elevation while you rest. In the most serious cases, surgery could be needed to repair broken bones and stitch your skin over the injury.
Potential Complications From a Skull Fracture
These injuries often require very close monitoring because complications can quickly arise. Internal bleeding in the skull or blood clots can build up, causing pressure on the brain. It’s also possible to develop infections if the skull breaks and bacteria find a way in.
Seizures are a concern, as well as brain damage from the impact that led to the fracture. If the break caused the bone to cut into the brain, then the risk of damage may be high.
Additionally, basal and diastatic fractures can cause cerebrospinal fluid to leak from your nose or ears. This requires immediate medical care.
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim for a Skull Fracture in Texas?
If your skull fracture was caused by another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim. Skull fractures can result in significant medical expenses, lost income, ongoing treatment needs, and long-term physical or cognitive impairments.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for medical bills, future healthcare costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages. An experienced Dallas brain injury lawyer can evaluate your case and explain your legal options during a free consultation.
Contact the Dallas Brain Injury Lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers for Help Today
A skull fracture can lead to serious complications, including traumatic brain injuries, cognitive impairments, and long-term medical challenges. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
The Dallas brain injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers are dedicated to helping injury victims understand their rights and pursue the financial recovery they deserve. For more information, contact an experienced Dallas brain injury lawyer at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
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About the Author
Mark A. Anderson is the founder of Anderson Injury Lawyers and a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer—an honor held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys. He earned his law degree from Baylor University School of Law and has spent more than 20 years helping injury victims across Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin. Mark handles cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, product liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and more. Click here to view some of the successful case results Mark has achieved for his clients.
Location: Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin, Texas
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