Brain Injury Symptoms to Be Aware of After A Car Accident
Posted in Car accidents on November 9, 2020
Brain injuries one of the most severe types of injuries that can occur in a car accident. Drivers and passengers alike can sustain brain injuries in a variety of ways in these incidents.
This often includes those inside the vehicle sustaining blows to their head or experiencing sudden back and forth movements caused by the accident.
While you may think a relatively minor vehicle accident cannot cause significant brain injury, that is not the case. Head injuries do not require actual physical impact, and even accidents that happen at relatively slow speeds can cause a head injury.
If you or a loved one are involved in any type of car accident in Tennessee, you need to be mindful of various head and brain injury symptoms. Often, these signs and symptoms do not appear immediately following the crash. This why it is important to seek medical attention immediately, and after this has been done; we recommend speaking to a car accident attorney in Tennessee to help navigate the case.
If they are left untreated, brain injuries can lead to devastating long-term effects.
Brain injury symptoms following a car accident
Auto accidents that involve serious force at impact, including head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, and rear-end collisions, often result in the soft tissue of the brain being pushed against the hard skull interior.
This can cause blood vessel ruptures that release blood into the brain and around the brain area. This can also lead to significant swelling of the brain.
Some of the most serious signs and symptoms of a brain injury that indicate the need for immediate medical care include the following:
- Loss of consciousness, including a coma
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
- Weakness or numbness in toes or fingers
- Profound confusion
- Loss of coordination
- Unusual behavior, agitation, or combativeness
There are various signs and symptoms of a brain injury that may appear immediately or within the first few hours following the injury.
This includes:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling confused, disoriented, or dazed
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Slurred speech or aphasia (loss of ability to understand or express speech)
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Sensory problems (blurred vision, ringing in the ears, bad taste in mouth, changes in smell)
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Concentration or memory problems
- Mood swings or mood changes
- Feeling anxious or depressed
All of these signs and symptoms may appear relatively minor at first, and many people often mistake them for something less severe than a brain injury. However, these signs could be indicative of a much more serious problem.
Often, the signs and symptoms of brain injury do not appear for hours or even a day after the initial incident, leading to victims and their families underestimating the severity of the injuries.
It is vital that any car accident victim seek medical care immediately following the accident to ensure that they are properly evaluated and treated.
Speak to an attorney
If you or a loved one have sustained a brain injury in a car accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another person, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will have the resources and legal experience necessary to assist you throughout this entire case.
They can investigate every aspect of your case, including gathering any evidence needed to prove liability.
Importantly, a Nashville brain injury attorney can work with trusted medical professionals to fully evaluate the extent of your brain injury and properly calculate your total expected expenses.