Car accidents are one of the leading causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Pedestrians, motorists, bicyclists or truck drivers can suffer the consequences of a brain injury, with irreversible damage to mobility, speech, memory and sensation.
Brain injury signs may appear in the first few hours after an accident. In other cases, the signs may not occur for days or weeks. The frequency of symptoms changes with the severity of the accident and the health of the people involved. Although each case is unique, car accident victims should be aware of the common symptoms of TBI.
What Are 6 Symptoms Of Brain Injury?
Non-penetrating TBI and Penetrating TBI are the two types of brain injuries. Penetrating damage occurs when an object passes through the skull. Meanwhile, a non-penetrating injury results from the movement of brain tissue due to an impact without penetrating the skull.
There are three types of TBI symptoms after a car accident: Physical, Cognitive, and Sensory. Here are the five signs to look for.
- Headache and convulsions.
- Slurred speech, hearing problems and weakness in the body (legs, arms, for example).
- Confusion and loss of consciousness.
- Sleep pattern changes.
- Anxiety, depression and fatigue.
- Fluid discharge from the nose or ears
Car accident victims should look for these symptoms of non-penetrating injuries. Signs are more common in the first 24 hours after the crash. Severe TBI can result in a persistent vegetative state, comas, loss of consciousness, and even brain death.
What Can Car Accident Victims Do?
Anyone experiencing symptoms of brain damage or headache after a car accident should seek medical attention and receive it immediately. Any delay may worsen the injury.
Some doctors specialize in traumatic brain injuries. They can make a diagnosis. TBI treatment depends on the following three factors:
- The size of the injury.
- The severity of the damage.
- The location of the TBI.
Treatment varies from case to case. However, the cost of specialized medical care is high. Therefore, victims of car accidents can file a claim and receive compensation.
It is recommended that victims seek professional advice to obtain compensation. An experienced attorney can provide further guidance.
