Serious car accidents may have a devastating effect on the human body. Brain injuries are among the most catastrophic injuries that may occur. While some brain injuries are evident and noticeable practically immediately, others may not manifest for several hours or even days after the impact.
Direct trauma, such as hitting your head on the dashboard, can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). That’s why it is crucial that you allow the emergency responders to examine you at the accident scene. If they determine that transportation to the hospital is necessary, do not refuse. Even if you feel okay, you might have a TBI that requires medical treatment.
How to recognize a TBI
Victims of motor vehicle accidents often fail to recognize the symptoms of traumatic brain injuries. Some signs that you may have experienced a TBI include:
- Headache or lightheadedness
- Disorientation
- Memory problems
- Severe mood swings
- Lack of focus
- Dizziness
The doctor will assess whether your injuries are open or closed. An open injury happens when something hits or pierces the head, like a steel rod or sharp glass. A closed brain injury means that there are no visible wounds or fractures.
You will also undergo examinations to check for concussions, skull fractures and contusions. Doctors will also look for coup-contrecoup injuries, which occur when the brain is injured in two different locations. For example, a strong impact on the right side of the head could cause the brain to collide with the left side of the skull, resulting in two separate injuries.
Every TBI is unique, thus it is hard to anticipate how one person will recover based merely on the outcomes of others. Medical treatments may be ongoing and quite expensive. That’s why you should seek guidance regarding compensation for your injuries.