People often require medical care after car crashes. They can sustain an array of different injuries that could put them in the hospital and limit their ability to work. Some injuries are mild and easy to treat. Others are more serious and might get worse without proper medical care.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) fall into that second category. Moderate to severe TBIs produce permanent symptoms in many cases. They can worsen if the people hurt in a car crash do not see a doctor quickly. It is easier than people realize to overlook the initial warning signs of a brain injury after a car crash. The following are some of the most important warning signs of a TBI after a collision.
A loss of consciousness
People don’t just pass out spontaneously. A loss of consciousness is almost always indicative of a serious medical issue. In car crash scenarios, fainting or passing out for even a few seconds can be a warning sign that someone may have injured their brain during the crash.
A persistent, worsening headache
Many people become quite tense in a car crash, so developing a headache may not seem that surprising. However, a tension headache in response to stress should pass within a few hours or a day. Headaches that persist and worsen are an indicator of potential trauma to the brain that could eventually cause more concerning symptoms.
Balance issues
An individual’s sense of equilibrium relies on their inner ears and their brain’s ability to process sensory information. People with brain injuries sometimes notice a change in their sense of equilibrium. They may develop vertigo or a sense of dizziness that can make it difficult to handle daily tasks safely.
Sensory changes
The human brain devotes a lot of effort to the analysis of incoming sensory information. Individuals with TBIs may notice that their vision becomes blurry or that they develop ringing in their ears. Others may notice that their sense of smell or taste changes. An overall difference in sensory processing or impaired sensory perception can be an indicator of a brain injury.
Slurred speech
Frequently, individuals with brain injuries may look as though they are drunk. They can stumble due to equilibrium issues and may have a hard time communicating with others. Especially in scenarios where people have not had anything to drink before a crash, difficulty verbally communicating can be an early warning sign of damage to their brains.
The sooner people receive care for a TBI, the better their chances of preventing their symptoms from worsening. A diagnosis shortly after a collision can also make it easier for people to ask for compensation for their car crash injuries. Filing an insurance claim, or maybe even a lawsuit, could be necessary to pay for the medical expenses and lost wages generated by a brain injury.