Subdural hematomas (SDH) may result from torn bridging veins, severe contusions (pulpefaction), and from dural sinus bleeding.

Rapid acceleration and/or deceleration may cause differential movement of the brain relative to the bone (calvarium) causing the bridging veins to tear at their insertion point into the dural sinuses. Less often, the veins will tear in the subarachnoid space causing subarahcnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In contrast to SAH from aneurym rupture, SAH associated with SDH is often not radiologically noted because a dense clot does not form.