Symptoms of a Head Injury After a Car Accident
For those who have been involved in a car accident, injuries can happen. While there are some people who walk away with nothing more than scratch, there are those who suffer serious injuries that can affect them for the rest of their lives. If you’re wondering about the symptoms of a head injury after a car accident, read on.
A brain injury is one of those injuries that can affect a person for the rest of their lives. The problem is that when a car accident happens, a brain injury may not be the first thing that people think about.
In fact, there have been cases in which a person involved in a car accident ends up finding out that they have a brain injury weeks or even months after the accident happens.
This is why it is important that everyone knows the signs of a brain injury so that they can be aware of these signs in themselves along with their loved ones.
What is a Brain Injury?
What is a brain injury? There is no simple answer to this, as a brain injury can be several things.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a brain injury often results in a violent blow to the head or if the body were to get jolted forcefully, such as what could happen in a car accident.
A brain injury can also occur when something penetrates the brain tissue such as a shattered piece of the skull.
It is important to note that a mild brain injury is going to affect you temporarily.
However, a more serious brain injury could result in long-term issues or even death if left untreated or undiagnosed.
The Signs of a Mild Brain Injury/Head Injury
While a mild brain injury is often temporary, it is still important that a person know the signs that accompany this type of injury. These signs include:
- A person often loses consciousness for a few seconds or minutes when the blow to the head happens.
- A person may not lose complete consciousness, but they may be dazed, confused or disoriented.
- Headache
- Vomiting or nausea
- May feel tired
- May have problems with their speech
- Difficult sleeping when it is time to sleep
- They may sleep more than what is considered normal for them
- They may have some dizziness
- They may lose their balance easier
- They may have blurred vision
- Experience a ringing in their ears
- Have a bad taste in their mouth
- They may even smell things that are not there or not be able to smell certain scents
- They will have problems with their memory
- They may have trouble concentrating
- They will experience mood swings or mood changes
- They may feel depressed or anxious for no apparent reason
If a person starts to show any of these signs after being involved in a car accident, it is imperative that they seek the attention of a medical professional.
Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
With a traumatic brain injury, the person often shows the signs of a mild brain injury, along with these other signs:
- They may loss conscious for minutes or even hours
- The headache they have continues to get worse or stays with the same persistent pain
- They are going to have repeated vomiting or nausea
- They may suffer convulsions or seizures
- The pupils in one or both eyes may be dilated
- There will be clear fluid that is draining from the nose or the ears
- They are not able to wake up while sleeping
- They have numbness in their fingers or toes
- They have no coordination
- Slurred speech
- Unusual behavior like being agitated or combative
- They have severe confusion
Those who have a severe brain injury may deal with these symptoms indefinitely, depending upon how complicated the brain injury really is. A doctor can help with suggestions as to what may work to get you back to a normal life.
Brain Injury in Children
Children can suffer from a brain injury when involved in a car accident as well. However, the problem with this is that some children may not be able to tell you what they are feeling. Some of the signs to watch out for in children include:
- The way they eat or nurse has changed
- They are irritable that is not usual for them
- They are crying, and you are unable to soothe them
- They may not pay attention
- Their sleep habits start to change
- They suffer seizures
- They may seem sad all the time
- They have lost interest in their favorite toys or activities
Is imperative that once you notice this in your child that you get them to their emergency room to be checked. You do not want to let this go, as a brain injury can quickly turn serious!
After a Car Accident
Once you have had a car accident, if the accident was not serious, it may be that the ambulance does not show up.
However, for those more serious accidents, ambulances, firefighters and police officers often respond to the scene. What should you do?
While you may be worried about the state of your car, remember that the state of your health is more important.
You will want to let the EMT’s examine you, and if they feel you need to go to the hospital, you do need to do this. You can leave the car issue for later or for another family member to deal with.
What is important to point out is that some people are still in a state of shock when they go to the doctor or hospital after the car accident, and the symptoms of a brain injury may not be seen yet.
If you do get home and start to show any of the signs of a brain injury whether this is mild or traumatic, you need to go back to your medical professional. You will want to get checked out to see what the issue could be and then take the doctor’s advice as to what you need to do next.
Most people will find that rest, hydration and relaxation are often the key to get over a mild brain injury. However, a more serious brain injury may result in having to go to physical therapy or other therapies to help your brain and body work together again.
It is important that you follow the directions that your doctor gives. And remember, these symptoms could show themselves months after you had the car accident, as it has happened.
Don’t dismiss a headache that will not go away with other signs mixed in there if you have been involved in a car accident, as it could be you have a brain injury!
Talk To a Personal Injury Lawyer in Whitby Today
If you have been involved in a car accident and this was not your fault, you may have a case.
At Conte Jaswal we can look at your case and help you to decide the best course of action.
We are a personal injury law firm that helps with brain injuries and other injuries that are contracted from no fault of your own. Simply contact us today to get started!
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