Car accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries throughout the United States. However, many people fail to realize that they have suffered a brain injury after an accident which potentially makes the injury more serious. Brain injuries may not be detected even in emergency rooms thereby denying them much needed treatment after sustaining a serious injury. Delayed treatment can even cause death in some instances.
Myths Regarding Car Accidents & Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can potentially be a source of confusion for a multitude of people including medical personnel. Some people believe that you have to hit your head on something in order to have a brain injury which is not really true. Brain injuries may occur after a person is involved in a minor collision and this happens because the momentum caused by the collision makes your brain hit inner areas of your skull. The brain’s collision with the interior area of the skull can cause brain bleeding and swelling. A common misconception is that a person must be knocked unconscious in order to sustain a brain injury. While many individuals do become unconscious after sustaining a brain injury, this is not always the case. This is less likely to occur if the individual did not hit his or her head on an object.
Common Symptoms Associated With Brain Injuries
People may be able to act normally after sustaining a brain injury and this makes it even more difficult to properly diagnose a brain injury as medical personnel expect to see symptoms of a brain injury immediately after an accident. Car accident victims may demonstrate delayed symptoms of brain injury hours, days or weeks after an accident. The common symptoms associated with brain injuries include:
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Memory loss
- Numbness
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Disorientation
- Difficulty walking or balancing
- Sensitivity to lights and sounds
Post-Concussive Syndrome After A Car Accident
After a car accident, a victim may suffer post-concussive syndrome which may be described as a mild form of a traumatic brain injury. The victim of post-concussive syndrome may experience symptoms immediately after the accident or even months later. The symptoms may be permanent and they include changes in the victim’s personality, mood swings, agitation, fatigue, depression lack of concentration and insomnia.
There are certain steps that victims can take after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. They should go to the emergency room to get medical attention immediately. Many injuries are not observable by the naked eye and especially brain injuries can be fatal if left untreated. Medical personnel should run tests and perform diagnostics in order to determine if a victim is suffering from a brain injury after a car accident. Victims should get informed about brain injuries. Doctors have to be familiar with diagnosing traumatic brain injuries, concussions and other conditions. It is important to consult with a medical professional if a victim believes that they may have suffered a brain injury. If you have been injured in a car accident in Florida it is imperative that you retain the services of an attorney to protect your rights and safeguard your future
