We’ve heard a lot about the debilitating effects of brain injuries over the last several years, particularly with regard to professional athletes. However, much more common than getting a brain injury in a football tackle, is getting a brain injury that results from a car accident.
The problem is, brain injuries can be difficult for doctors to diagnose, especially if the victim doesn’t show any physical signs of the injury. Indeed, the gravitational forces involved in a vehicle collision can cause the tearing and ripping of brain tissues — with seriously debilitating effects on the body — all internally without any outward physical indications.
How to identify a brain injury after a car crash
Many people who suffer serious brain injuries in car accidents show up at the hospital, get treated for a broken arm, rib or leg and go home because the doctors didn’t notice that they had a traumatic brain injury. Only during the days that follow do the symptoms of a brain injury become self-evident.
Here’s what to look for:
- Numbness
- Extreme drowsiness
- Severe headaches that don’t improve
- Arm or leg weakness
- Slurred speech
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vision loss
Get immediate treatment for any brain injury symptoms
These symptoms of brain injury could show up immediately following your car crash, or it could take some time for them to appear. Regardless of when they surface, it’s vital to seek medical attention immediately. Although the most effective treatment for a brain injury is likely to be nothing more than rest, in severe cases, there are medications and other treatments doctors can administer to prevent the worsening and promote the stabilization of your injury.
Traumatic brain injuries can be expensive to treat, but don’t let costs deter you from getting the medical care you need. In some cases, following a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to pursue financial compensation through a personal injury action. Victims may therefore want to fully educate themselves on any legal options that may be available in this regard.
