Brain injuries are some of the most significant injuries motorists suffer in a collision. A brain injury can happen in several ways. Some motorists slam their heads into the steering wheel or against the window. They might even crack their head against a passenger in the vehicle with them as everyone is thrown around. Other brain injuries stem from violent shaking or jerking. Whiplash is often accompanied by a concussion because this violent motion can shake the brain inside the skull.
Brain injury symptoms might take a day or two to manifest, but they are hard to miss. Below, we look at some of the most common car accident head injury symptoms and encourage anyone involved in a crash to seek medical help. Then reach out to Swilley Law Firm, LLC, to speak with a Florence car accident attorney.
Common Signs of Brain Injury After a Car Accident
1. Confusion or Disorientation
It is normal to feel confused and disoriented immediately after a car crash. But confusion that persists for several days is often a sign of a brain injury. You should go to the hospital and speak with a doctor about your symptoms. A doctor might order an MRI or other medical imaging test to look inside your brain.
2. Headaches
Headaches associated with brain injuries tend to be strong because blood vessels in the brain are often put under pressure. The headaches might be regular “tension” type headaches or even migraines. You might find that over-the-counter pain medication doesn’t make any impact.
If you feel a sudden “thunderclap” headache, then you are facing a life-threatening situation, usually bleeding inside your skull. You should immediately call an ambulance to take you to the hospital.
3. Dizziness and Balance Problems
A brain injury can impair someone’s balance. You might be unable to stand for extended periods or possibly even walk. Some people see “stars” immediately after a brain injury, which makes them dizzy. Balance problems can cause secondary injuries if you fall and break a bone or dislocate your shoulder.
4. Memory Loss
Some brain injuries cause short-term memory loss. You might barely remember the accident, and you could easily forget when you have doctor’s appointments. Memory loss is terrifying, and some people wonder if their memory will ever improve. Your doctor might have strategies for how to remember all your appointments. Some brain injury victims become heavily dependent on lists or electronic reminders.
5. Loss of Consciousness
Some motorists immediately lose consciousness after a crash. They might be unconscious for only a couple of seconds, but this is a common symptom of a brain injury.
Of course, you can still suffer a concussion or other brain injury even if you never lose consciousness. But it is a definite sign. Further, the longer you are unconscious, the more serious the brain injury. Someone unconscious for half a minute has likely suffered a major brain injury.
6. Trouble Concentrating
Many accident victims need time off work because they cannot concentrate well enough. Looking at a computer screen or a phone could be especially difficult, increasing the severity of your headaches.
Some people struggle to follow a conversation, so they talk less. This reaction also makes it hard to get back to work.
7. Impaired Movement
The brain is involved in practically all bodily movements, and brain injuries can show up as impairments. The limb that is impaired will depend on the part of the brain injured. Some people struggle to walk, grasp items, or sit up on their own due to a brain injury.
Moderate and severe TBIs cause significant disabilities. Our clients often need physical therapy to help them strengthen muscles and relearn how to do ordinary tasks, like getting dressed in the morning or brushing their teeth.
8. Slurred Speech
The regions of the brain involved with speech might also be injured in a car accident. Slurred speech or difficulty talking is one of the more common car accident head injury symptoms. As the brain heals, your speech should ultimately return. But someone dealing with a serious brain injury could need speech therapy to help them relearn how to talk.
9. Changed Sleep Patterns
Most adults have developed a regular sleep routine. You might sleep 8 hours each night and wake up at the same time each morning. A brain injury can change all that.
Some accident victims end up sleeping much more than they used to, while others can be awake all night. Other people are at risk of nodding off while driving and getting into another accident.
Changed sleep patterns are a health risk, increasing the odds of another accident. A second concussion so soon after the first could be fatal.
10. Behavioral Changes
The brain is also the repository of people’s personalities. A brain injury can lead to changes in emotion or behavior. Many victims become depressed or plagued with anxiety.
Impulsive behavior might also increase. Someone who was very shy could become a risk taker, begin to gamble, or engage in dangerous activities. This increase in impulsivity is linked to many brain injuries.
Car accidents can also lead to an uptick in mental illnesses. The risk of developing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can increase after suffering a brain injury like a TBI.
Call a Florence Car Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Accident
Brain injuries range from concussions to intracranial bleeding. Anyone who experiences symptoms after a car crash should immediately go to the hospital. Some conditions are life-threatening and require surgery or other immediate interventions. By contrast, other brain injuries might require extended rest to allow the brain to heal on its own.
Contact our office to schedule a consultation with an attorney at Swilley Law Firm. We can discuss brain injury from a car accident symptoms and answer questions about your legal rights. You deserve compensation for medical care, lost income, and bodily pain. We know how to gather evidence to prove fault for your car accident and injuries, and we can negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf.
