What Are the Signs of a Brain Injury After a Car Accident?
If you suffer a brain injury in a car accident, you might feel disoriented and confused in the immediate aftermath of the wreck. You could experience dizziness, headaches, and blurry vision. Different brain injuries can cause varying symptoms, and any of these symptoms could indicate a problem. Seeking immediate medical attention after an accident is critical to protect your health.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A sudden bump or blow to the head or brain can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Penetrating injuries from objects puncturing the skull can also lead to traumatic brain injuries.
What Are the Different Types of Brain Injuries?
Multiple types of brain injuries can occur in accidents, including:
- Concussions – A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Concussions affect the brain’s ability to function, sometimes causing concentration, memory, and coordination issues.
- Brain contusions – A contusion is a bruise. Bruising on the brain can lead to dangerous swelling and pressure within the skull.
- Diffuse axonal injuries – A diffuse axonal injury is damage to long connecting nerve fibers called axons that transmit signals between the brain’s two hemispheres.
How Common Are TBIs After a Car Accident?
Traumatic brain injuries are incredibly common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 223,135 hospitalizations for traumatic brain injury occurred in one recent year. That is equivalent to 611 TBI-related hospitalizations a day. The CDC reports that motor vehicle accidents represent approximately 25 percent of TBI-related hospitalizations each year.
What Are the Signs of Brain Injury After an Accident?
Symptoms aren’t always noticeable after a car crash. Some start immediately after trauma to the head, while others might not appear for days or weeks after the initial injury. According to the Mayo Clinic, mild brain injury symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Ringing in the ears
- Trouble concentrating
- Light or sound sensitivity
- Memory lapses
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Changes in taste, smell, or vision
- Vomiting and nausea
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Anxiety or depression
- Changes in speech
- Mood changes
A moderate to severe traumatic brain injury could cause symptoms such as:
- Coma or sustained unconsciousness
- Ongoing or worsening headaches
- Persistent nausea or repeated vomiting
- Seizures or convulsions
- Weakness or numbness in the fingers and toes
- Persistent pupil dilation
- Difficulty waking from sleep
- Difficulty with coordination
- Unusual changes in behavior
- Severe or extreme confusion
- Slurred speech
- Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
- Combative or agitated behavior
Contact Our Montgomery Brain Injury Lawyers Today
If you were recently in a car accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Delayed symptoms are common, especially when the shock of a car accident masks the initial pain and the severity of your injuries. Don’t put your health or your legal rights at risk.
At the Serious Injury Law Group, we care about the people who hire us. When you come to us for help, we will treat you like family and provide the ongoing guidance and support you need. Call us now for a free consultation with our experienced traumatic brain injury attorneys.