When you’re involved in an auto collision, one of the things you have to monitor yourself and others for is any sign of a brain injury. Brain injuries don’t always become apparent right away, and they can take many hours or days before they worsen to a point where they are endangering a person.
With some kinds of brain injuries, minor bleeding builds up over time. For others, the adrenaline and rush of being in a crash hinders swelling and may even hide some of the symptoms of the injury. That’s why it’s important to seek medical care after a crash even if you think you’re fine. You could have an injury that you haven’t yet started experiencing symptoms from, and it could be dangerous.
What are the signs of traumatic brain injuries?
Every brain injury is different, but there are some signs that you may be able to recognize to help identify a brain injury sooner. These may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Clear fluids draining from the ears or nose
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- A loss of consciousness
- Neurological deficits, like weakness of the legs, slurred speech and trouble with balance
- Lightheadedness
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Mood swings
- Trouble thinking, speaking, reading or reacting
These and other signs could mean that you have a brain injury.
What should you do after you’re involved in a crash?
After being involved in a crash, one of the best things you can do is to seek out medical support. At the hospital, a medical provider may order imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans. These will help them visualize the damage that the brain may have suffered, so they can put together a treatment plan.
In some serious cases, it may be necessary to go through surgery. However, many brain injuries do recover without invasive techniques, so medications and therapies can vary from patient to patient.
After you’re on the road to healing, it’s worth remembering that you may have a case against the person who caused the car crash. It may be possible to hold them liable for your medical care and other financial losses.