traumatic brain injury TBI

Signs You Had a Brain Injury After Car Wreck

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Because, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are caused by sudden blows to the head or sudden forces that cause the brain to rapidly accelerate and decelerate within the skill, they are common injuries in car accidents.

In fact, concussions and more severe brain injuries can happen in all types of car wrecks, from rear-end wrecks to t-bone collisions. Although these injuries are common, the unpredictable nature of brain injuries can make it difficult for victims to feel as though they are readily apparent.

If you or someone you love has recently been involved in a car wreck, seeking a timely medical evaluation is critical, regardless of whether a direct blow to the head occurred.

Brain injuries may not always manifest in obvious ways, and signs or symptoms may lead victims to think they can simply shake off a head injury. The fact of the matter is that even minor head injuries can quickly become serious medical complications, which is why having a doctor evaluate you for symptoms and signs of injury is important following any type of wreck.

At Ross Moore Law, our legal team has worked with many car accident victims throughout the Atlanta area and surrounding communities of Georgia, including many who suffered brain injuries in preventable wrecks. When clients reach out to our firm, our primary concern is their health, and we strongly encourage and enable them to connect with medical professionals and specialists who can help identify underlying issues and rule out more serious issues.

Helpful Medical Resources:

Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion – CDC

Traumatic Brain Injury – John Hopkins Hospital

Traumatic Brain Injury – Mayo Clinic

List of Signs You Had A Brain Injury After Car Wreck

To help victims understand how brain injuries can manifest and why they should seek a medical evaluation, we’ve put together the following information:

  • Pain and symptoms: Although traumatic brain injuries can affect victims in vastly different ways, there are a few obvious indicators that a head injury occurred, and that there may be more significant injury to the brain. These include visible injuries to the head, as well as symptoms that include:
    • fogginess
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • difficulty sleeping
    • fatigue
    • dizziness
    • changes in mood
    • sensitivity to light or sound
    • loss of consciousness (especially for extended periods of time)
    • slurred speech
    • seizures
    • numbness or tingling (in the neck, shoulders, arms, or other extremities)
    • Anyone experiencing pain and concussion symptoms following a head injury should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Most often, victims who experience visible head injuries at the scene of an accident will be transported to a hospital for further evaluation, if emergency crews arrive.
  • No blow to the head: Brain injuries commonly occur when there is a sudden impact to the head, but that is not the only way they can happen. In fact, traumatic brain injuries can occur even when there is no direct impact to the head or skull. This is because rapid acceleration and deceleration, which are forces common in car wrecks, can cause the brain to move quickly back and forth inside the skull, causing injuries and tiny tears within the brain. This is why victims who suffer whiplash injuries, characterized by the lashing back and forth of the head, in accidents can sometimes suffer concussions. Even if you did not have a direct injury to the head, but did experience forces on the neck or body, you should still be evaluated for a brain injury, especially if any signs or symptoms begin to present themselves.
  • No apparent signs: Brain injuries are unique in that they affect victims differently. In some cases, some victims may feel normal following a wreck, and may not have any signs or symptoms. Even if you seemingly feel normal, you should still seek an evaluation for any head injury, as there may me injuries you are not aware of, including hemorrhaging. Regardless of whether you suspect a brain injury or have a visible injury to the head, diagnostic tests will reveal whether any serious issues are present and if medical action should be taken.

A medical evaluation is always important after a wreck, as it ensures a doctor can begin the process of identifying your injuries and initiating the treatment you need to recover. It is also essential to spotting serious injuries such as TBI, and reducing risks of potentially severe and even fatal complications related to hemorrhaging.

Pain and symptoms are always cause for concern and reason to see a doctor, but given the nature of brain injuries, you should still seek an evaluation even if signs and symptoms are not readily or immediately apparent. Your health should be your most important concern in the immediate aftermath of a wreck.

Need Legal Counsel After Traumatic Brain Injury, Ross Moore Law Can Help!

Seeking a medical evaluation is also critical to providing documentation of your injuries, which can be useful should you choose to file a personal injury claim, especially when fighting against insurance companies that often argue that victims were not really hurt because they waited to seek medical care.

Remember, the at-fault party responsible for causing your wreck can be held accountable for their negligence, and liable for any damages you incur as a result, including your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Attorney Ross Moore and our Atlanta car accident lawyer are ready to help you learn more about your rights, the personal injury process, and what our firm can do to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Your free consultation is ready, simply message us or call (404) 491-8511.

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