Brain injuries caused by car accidents can be invisible to the naked eye, but don’t let their ability to camouflage fool you. Even if you walk away from a crash feeling fine, you may have suffered a blow to the head and not realized it. And, unfortunately, a delayed diagnosis could aggravate the condition and lead to further damage.
How do you know if you have suffered a brain injury after an accident?
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A TBI occurs when a person’s head or body sustains a violent impact, sudden jolt or when brain tissue is penetrated. There are a variety of things that can cause TBIs including sports injuries, falls, car accidents or even gunshots. The type of symptoms that a person will experience and how long they will last greatly depends on the severity of the injury.
Common symptoms of a mild brain injury include loss of consciousness, vomiting, trouble speaking and drowsiness. In addition, you may experience troubles concentrating or feel depressed. More severe injuries can have lifelong effects including significant memory loss, coma or even death. But the extent of a brain injury isn’t always clear immediately after impact. In fact, some symptoms may only appear hours after the accident or even take days.
Seeking medical attention post-accident
If you suspect that you’ve been injured in a crash, you shouldn’t wait to seek medical attention. What may appear to be a minor injury at the scene could develop into something much more serious in the days that follow. By seeking medical attention right away, you may be able to receive a diagnosis sooner and treat your injury before it worsens.
Dealing with the aftermath of a crash may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you to get the compensation you are entitled so that you can begin focusing on your recovery.
