Car crash impacts cause considerable trauma to the body. When that trauma occurs in the brain, there are significant effects that the victim may experience. A traumatic brain injury won’t necessarily be evident at the scene of the crash. Instead, it can take days or even weeks for symptoms to become noticeable.
Injuries that are immediately evident often involve visible head trauma or loss of consciousness. Others may involve someone who’s tired or shaken up, possibly complaining of headaches or nausea after the crash. Every brain injury should be treated urgently because of the damage that can occur to brain tissue.
Brain injuries are often complex
A traumatic brain injury can occur because of a sudden blow or jolt that flings the brain within the skull. It can also occur because of a penetrating injury that disrupts the normal brain function. Brain injuries of all types are complex because they don’t always cause the same symptoms or affect the victim in the same manner.
Some people who have a traumatic brain injury may have a headache that doesn’t stop when they take medications. Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, sensitivity to light or sound, problems with memory and difficulty concentrating are common symptoms. In some cases, the symptoms include irritability, fatigue or mood changes.
Recovery for a traumatic brain injury has to address the damage in the brain and the symptoms it causes. Mild injuries may improve with rest and time, but more serious injuries may require extensive medical care and therapy. In all cases, these injuries can affect the victim’s social life, relationships and employment. Even ordinary tasks can become challenging.
When the brain injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, a personal injury lawsuit is possible. These cases must be handled quickly because of time limits built into the law, so it’s often beneficial to work with someone familiar with these matters.