The symptoms of a brain injury are not always apparent immediately following a car crash. Sometimes they show up right away and sometimes the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be delayed for days week or months following the crash. In the moments and days following a car crash or any other accident which involves trauma to the head, the injured person may be experiencing many symptoms and sensations. If they have sustained other injuries, they are likely attending to those while also dealing with all the details related to the accident such as property damage.
Any time a person has suffered a head injury, or been involved in a car crash where there were significant forces such as the vehicle being struck while it was traveling more than 25 miles per hour, there is the possibility that they may have suffered a brain injury, and they should be watching for symptoms of brain injury to appear if they have not already started.
What is traumatic brain injury?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that every day, 153 people in the U.S. die from injuries that include TBI. Those who survive a traumatic brain injury can face effects that last anywhere from a few days to the rest of their lives. TBI is one of the major causes of death and disability in the U.S. and it contributes to about 30% off all injury deaths.
A TBI can be the result of a blow to the head, or they can occur in cases where the head was not hit, but sustained a jolt such as what happens in a collision where the head is snapped back and forth causing the brain to be jostled inside the bony skull.
Symptoms of a concussion or traumatic brain injury
It is vital that a person who has been involved in an accident seek medical attention immediately and follow the doctor’s advice. It cannot be stressed enough that every TBI will be different because every brain is different. A traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain moves forcefully inside of the skull. The forces in the crash cause the squishy, malleable brain to collide with the inside front and back of the skull. In the process, the delicate connections that are vital for the normal functions of the brain can become damaged and disrupted. The following symptoms of concussion or traumatic brain injury might appear in the hours, days weeks or later following the crash or incident of violence:
- Loss of consciousness
- Marked change in mood or demeanor
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Disordered sleep
- Memory loss
- Sensitivity to light
When these symptoms begin to show up, it is vital that the patient seek medical attention immediately. If they are pursuing compensation for their injuries, delaying treatment for an injury that is related to the accident might look to the other side as if the patient was either not diligent about seeking treatment, or that they are malingering or faking symptoms to bolster their case.
Working with an experienced Nashville traumatic brain injury lawyer will help ensure that your injury case is handled properly and that you can recover the compensation you deserve after your accident that was caused by the negligence of someone else.
At the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, our lawyers in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Knoxville have experience handling complicated brain injury cases. Whether your symptoms showed up right away, or were delayed, we can help you to obtain the compensation you need after a head injury that was caused by the negligence of another person. If you need strong advocacy for your injury case, we invite you to call us at 615-246-5549 or make an appointment through our contact form.
