4 warning signs of a traumatic brain injury after a crash
You can identify the symptoms of common car crash injuries right away. You won’t be able to bear weight on a broken leg, nor will you be able to get out of the vehicle if you suffered a spinal cord injury.
However, not all injuries are obvious right away after a car crash. It could be several days or even a week, maybe longer, before you have any symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). To ensure you get medical care quickly if you need it, you need to know the warning signs of TBIs and watch for them after a car crash.
Headache and sleep symptoms
A persistent headache after a car crash could be a sign of bleeding or bruising on the brain. A headache that gets worse over time is also reason for concern.
Some people will experience disruptions to their sleep cycle. They may have trouble staying awake or trouble falling asleep. If you noticed head pain or changes to your sleep pattern after hitting your head or losing consciousness during a car crash, you could have a TBI.
Sensory symptoms
A lot of your brain’s functioning focus on processing sensory information. When you have an injury to your brain, your sensory perception changes. People report blurry vision, ringing in their ears and sometimes even olfactory hallucinations.
Your communication skills may also suffer. People may have issues with slurred speech because of a brain injury.
Motor function symptoms
Your brain controls your physical body, so brain injuries can cause concerning physical symptoms. Some people may have a change in gait or the way they move their legs when they walk. Some people may develop issues with their sense of balance or coordination.
Others may find themselves struggling with fine motor control, like writing or sewing, or dealing with a reduction in overall strength.
Changes in behavior and personality
Injuries to your brain can drastically change how you perceive the world and how you behave. Changes to personality and behavior are common after TBIs. Some people may become more excitable or more stoic. Some people may not notice the change themselves but may instead hear family members complaining about how they are no longer the same person.
Anyone reporting these kinds of injuries will require medical care so that their symptoms don’t get worse. Recognizing the common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury could improve your prognosis and help you get compensation for the medical and financial consequences of a TBI.