Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions are common after a car accident. However, they can be overlooked for a few reasons. First, emergency doctors aren’t looking for subtle signs of a brain injury—they’re making sure you’re not suffering from life-threatening injuries.
However, you can experience a brain injury without having an open head wound or even a direct impact to your head. The forces in a vehicle collision can cause your brain to move suddenly and collide against the inside your skull, which can lead to tissue and nerve damage, bleeding, or other injuries.
Second, signs of brain injury after a car accident aren’t always immediately apparent. Shock and adrenaline after the initial impact can keep symptoms of a brain injury temporarily at bay. Brain injuries can also come with different types of symptoms, some of which may take more time to appear.
Brain injuries can cause lasting effects, especially when they’re not treated. If you or your loved one have experienced a car accident or other physical impact, be sure to pay extra attention over the following few days, especially the first twenty-four hours. If symptoms arise, seek medical attention right away. Keep all of your related medical records in a safe and accessible place. Then, contact a New York brain injury lawyer to advocate for your rights and help you get the compensation you need for recovery and future care.
Three signs of brain injury
Brain injuries can affect your life in several ways. Some of the signs to look for after a car accident are:
- Physical symptoms
- Sensory disruption
- Cognitive changes
Physical Symptoms
Often the first signs to arise after a brain injury are the physical symptoms. While they’re not easy to miss, it’s possible to dismiss some of them as being caused by stress or a mild illness, especially if the symptoms are mild to moderate. While brain injury symptoms can vary in severity, a brain injury should always be treated as a serious medical condition.
Physical symptoms after a brain injury may include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness, fatigue, and difficulty staying awake
- Fluid draining from the ears or nose
- Seizures
Sensory Disruption
A traumatic brain injury can disrupt the brain’s sensory functions. Sensory signs can go hand-in-hand with physical signs or may appear on their own.
Sensory symptoms of brain injury may include:
- Tingling or numbness of the feet, hands, or fingers
- Vision problems such as seeing double, blurred vision, or vision loss
- Sensitivity to noises or lights
- Hearing problems such as ringing ears (tinnitus)
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Loss of or changes in taste and smell
Cognitive Changes
Cognitive changes from a brain injury can be missed because they may be more subtle and appear more slowly over time than physical symptoms. Cognitive changes can also be longer lasting, especially if the brain injury goes untreated.
Often cognitive changes look like shifts in a person’s normal behavior or personality. A loved one might notice these changes before the victim of the brain injury does.
Cognitive symptoms after a brain injury may include:
- Memory loss
- Attention deficits and problems with focus
- Difficulty finishing tasks they’ve started
- Mood fluctuations or mood swings
- Depression, anxiety, and irritability
- Difficulty with speech
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Sleep disturbance, such as difficulty with either sleeping or staying awake
The victim and a trusted loved one should monitor cognitive symptoms, as well as the physical and sensory, and keep a log they can show a medical provider.
What to Do if You or Your Loved One Has Signs of Brain Injury After a Car Accident
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the signs of brain injury listed after a vehicle collision, be sure to take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention. It’s important that you see a physician first, without delay. Your doctor or emergency room care providers can assess your injuries and make sure you get the treatment you need. While you may still experience long-term effects of your injury, getting medical attention can help you have the best chances of recovery. Starting an early medical record can also be helpful to your personal injury case.
- Keep all related medical records. From your first emergency room or physician visit, to your test results, medical images, and symptoms log, make sure that you keep all medical records in a safe and accessible place. This information will help your attorney advocate for you to insurance companies or in a court of law.
- Advocate for yourself. Traditional MRIs and CT scans are not sensitive enough to catch “mild traumatic brain injuries.” However, a mild TBI can dramatically change your life. Make sure you’re getting the care you need—even if the emergency room doctors say your condition is “mild.”
- Seek legal representation. A New York brain injury lawyer can help you get the most compensation after a car accident.
Why Seek a Brain Injury Lawyer A Car Accident?
Brain injuries can be devastating in many ways. Depending on the area of the brain that is harmed and the extent of the injury, the sufferer can have disrupted senses, or temporary or permanent changes to their personality. Pain and other physical concerns may affect the person’s ability to perform regular tasks, do their job, or participate in activities they once enjoyed.
Because brain injuries are often hidden, especially from those who don’t spend a lot of time with the injured person, it can be a challenge to convince a jury or insurance company to award fair compensation. An experienced brain injury lawyer can help a TBI victim recover fair compensation and prevent appropriate care from becoming a lifelong financial burden.
At Feroleto Law, our New York brain injury lawyers can advocate for you or your loved one to help get maximum compensation. Insurance claim compensation can cover necessities such as medical care, physical and occupational therapies, lost wages, long-term care, and pain and suffering.
Our brain injury lawyers have access to additional resources and experts who can fully assess the accident and its effect on you or your loved one’s life. These resources include:
- Accident reconstruction specialists who can help illustrate exactly how the accident occurred and determine who was at fault
- Medical specialists who can help account for all injuries and physical changes to quality of life, as well as what level of care may be needed
- Economic experts who can help assess the amount that recovery from the accident will cost over time
Along with strong expert testimony, our attorneys can present your case to the insurance company or a jury. We can fight to help you receive the compensation you deserve for yourself or your loved one’s suffering.
Contact Feroleto Law
If you or a loved one have experienced a brain injury because of a car accident in Buffalo or anywhere else in New York State, our attorneys can help you get your life back. Call our office at 716-854-0700 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. Our consultations are completely free and confidential.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
https://www.procaremedcenter.com/identifying-delayed-concussion-symptoms-after-a-car-crash/
