What if you suffer a traumatic brain injury in a crash

On Behalf of | Jul 3, 2020 | Firm News |

When you’ve been involved in a serious car accident, you could have multiple injuries: broken bones, internal bleeding and a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In fact, more than half of reported traumatic brain injuries occur in auto accidents. TBIs can occur if you strike your head against the dashboard or steering wheel or if your brain collides with your skull because of sheer force.

Injuries not always evident right away

However, you might not realize right away if you have suffered a traumatic brain injury. It may take hours, days or even a week for you to realize you need treatment for a mild TBI, such as a concussion or whiplash.

Some of the symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury include the following:

  • Headaches
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue or drowsiness
  • Dizziness or loss of balance
  • Problems with speech

You may have whiplash if you experience:

  • Continued neck pain and stiffness
  • Worsening of pain with neck movement
  • Headaches
  • Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms

You may have a more moderate or serious traumatic brain injury if you experience any of these symptoms:

  • Loss of consciousness for several minutes
  • Headaches that worsen
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
  • Inability to wake up after sleeping

Seeking treatment for TBIs

If you feel you may have a traumatic brain injury after an auto accident, you should seek medical treatment as soon as you notice symptoms. The sooner you treat your injury, the sooner you will recover.

You also will be more likely to receive full compensation for your injury if you seek treatment immediately and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.

If you have problems getting your medical bills and treatment costs covered, you should consult an experienced personal injury attorney. Or an insurance company offers you a settlement, you also need to seek an attorney’s advice. You want to ensure you are compensated fairly for your injuries, missed work or any lasting disability problems.