A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when you receive a sudden jolt or blow to the head or body that causes your brain to slosh around inside the skull. The Brain Trauma Foundation reports that an estimated 2.5 million people suffer TBIs each year. Of these, 50,000 result in death and 80,000 in permanent disability. Since motor vehicle accidents are a very common cause of TBIs, especially in serious collisions, it’s important to know common TBI symptoms to watch for. Scroll down to learn how to recognize symptoms of a TBI following a car crash.
Types of TBIs from Car Crashes
Mild TBIs, which are called concussions, are typically caused by blows or sudden jolts to the head or body that might occur in collisions. An impact with your head against your car’s steering wheel or dashboard can cause a brain contusion or bruise. If the pressure isn’t relieved, this type of injury can damage your brain’s tissues.
Coup-contrecoup injuries occur when your head is propelled back and forth, damaging your brain on the opposite side of the impact. Violent head rotation or shaking can cause a diffuse axonal injury, which commonly occurs in side-impact crashes and rollover accidents.
TBIs can also be penetrating injuries. These occur when debris or objects penetrate your brain through the skull and can be fatal.
The severity of your TBI depends on its type and the extent of the damage it causes. You can suffer a mild, moderate, or severe TBI, and TBI symptoms vary based on the severity of the injury.
Symptoms of a Severe TBI
Severe TBIs typically cause unconsciousness for at least six hours. The victim’s unconsciousness period could be prolonged and last for weeks or months. Other TBI symptoms you might notice with a severe injury include the following:
- Disorientation or confusion
- Lack of a visual response to stimuli
- Trouble forming new memories
- Memory loss
- Loss of fine or gross motor control
- Severe, chronic headaches
- Permanent blindness or hearing loss
- Chronic sleep problems
- Marked personality changes
- Cognitive effects
- Trouble performing routine tasks
If you see these signs in your loved one, seek immediate care at your local emergency department. Prompt care can prevent the injury from worsening and causing long-term consequences.
Symptoms of a Moderate TBI
A moderate TBI typically causes a loss of consciousness for less than six hours. The victim might be able to open their eyes with a stimulus but not be fully conscious. Moderate TBIs might involve brain hemorrhages or swelling and require prompt medical care. Moderate TBI symptoms to watch for include the following:
- Memory loss
- Trouble staying awake in the absence of stimulation
- Sleep problems
- Seizures
- Confusion or disorientation that persists
- Vomiting/nausea
- Vision problems
- Irritability
- Difficulty controlling impulses
- Depression or anxiety
Symptoms of a Mild TBI
If your loved one suffers a mild TBI in a car crash, they might remain awake and alert. However, mild TBIs do occasionally result in a brief loss of consciousness. Some other mild TBI symptoms to watch for include the following:
- Bad headache
- Trouble concentrating
- Temporary disorientation or confusion
- Short-term memory loss
- Sleep problems
- Fatigue
- Ringing in the ears
Even if you believe your TBI is minor, you should still seek immediate medical care for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Get Help from Our Brain Injury Lawyers
Depending on the severity of a TBI, treatment can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over the victim’s lifetime. If you or your loved one suffered a TBI because of the negligence of another driver, you should talk to the experienced lawyers at the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave. We offer free consultations and can help you understand your legal rights. Call us at 417-322-2222 or send us a message online.