A car accident can take a toll on you, the extent of which you may not even fully realize at first. Sure, some injuries are readily apparent, but others can take time to develop, delaying symptoms for days, weeks, or even months. One of those conditions is a traumatic brain injury. Hopefully your doctor will test for brain damage when you initially seek medical care, but you should still be on the lookout for signs of harm to the brain even if your doctor initially clears you of head injuries.
Seeking prompt and effective medical care is necessary to effectively treat a traumatic brain injury. That’s why in this post we want to look at some of the signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, some that may be more subtle than you think, so that you know what to look out for and when to seek additional medical assistance.
The hidden signs of a traumatic brain injury
Many traumatic brain injuries are readily apparent. In the worst cases they can leave a victim comatose or paralyzed. But there are also more subtle signs of a serious brain injury. This includes:
- Fatigue: After suffering a head injury and damage to the brain, your body is going to want to rest to work on healing the harm that’s been caused. This can leave you feeling excessively fatigued. Your tiredness, in turn, can negatively impact your concentration and your memory.
- Changes to personality: A traumatic brain injury can lead to personality changes that sufferers don’t even recognize. They can lose interest in the activities that they once loved, or they might develop a short temper and become more irritable. These changes can disrupt existing relationships and even lead to social isolation, both of which can create their own mental health issues.
- Speech difficulties: Some traumatic brain injuries render it difficult to talk clearly. The victim then struggles to articulate their words, oftentimes resulting in slurred speech. This is sometimes interpreted as the victims being intoxicated when in reality it’s an uncontrollable symptom of a brain injury.
- Loss of inhibition: A damaged brain can struggle to figure out what’s appropriate to say and do in certain situations. Therefore, someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury might say something rude or insensitive to those they care about, or they might engage in behavior that’s harmful to others without really realizing its impact.
- Cognitive issues: While fatigue can lead to problems with thinking clearly and remembering important facts, the injury itself can also cause concentration and other cognitive impairments. As a result, a traumatic brain injury sufferer might have trouble remembering what things are called, where they were going, and what they’re supposed to do at work. These challenges can negatively impact nearly every aspect of an individual’s life, demonstrating the true impact of a traumatic brain injury.
Be prepared to take action after suffering a traumatic brain injury
If you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident, then your first step is to seek medical attention to acquire an accurate diagnosis and a strong treatment plan. Then, it may be time to consider legal action. A personal injury claim could lead to accountability and the recovery of compensation, which can be crucial during your or your loved one’s recovery. So, if you’re ready to stand up and have your voice be heard, then now is the time to start gathering the evidence needed to prove your case.