Immediately after an accident, whether it’s a vehicle collision, slip and fall, motorcycle crash, or something else, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) isn’t always immediately apparent. Adrenaline is coursing through your veins, and many potential injuries can be masked in the hours and even days after that accident or incident occurs.
However, the more educated you are on what a TBI can look like, the better the position you may be in to seek help when it’s crucial.
How a Traumatic Brain Injury is Classified
A TBI occurs when the brain is jolted inside the skull, causing torn tissue, bruising, bleeding, and other damage. Doctors put these forms of injury into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. Though, even a mild injury can have severe and long-lasting effects. They are simply called mild because they are not life-threatening.
The direct effects of a TBI can be short-term, long-term, and permanent, with outcomes like memory problems, vision and hearing problems, speech problems, confusion, and learning difficulties. TBI can also cause issues in later life, as it may increase your risk of developing forms of dementia like Alzheimer’s Disease.
How to Identify a Mild TBI
Once again, it’s important to note that “mild” doesn’t mean insignificant or not worthy of a visit to the hospital. Once you’ve been released from the scene of the incident or accident, it’s crucial to visit a medical professional for a thorough check-up.
Even if you don’t show any symptoms of a mild TBI, a hospital visit can rule out or identify any medical issues that may arise during a later legal claim with your chosen traumatic brain injury attorney.
Symptoms can fall into three categories: physical, sensory, and cognitive (mental). Physical symptoms tend to be a bit more evident in the moments after an accident, such as loss of consciousness, confusion, and disorientation.
However, in the weeks and days after an accident, you may also notice headaches, speech problems, difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too much, fatigue, and dizziness.
Sensory symptoms can present themselves as ringing in the ears, a bad taste in your mouth, light and sound sensitivities, and blurred vision. Over time, and with an undiagnosed TBI, some people experience mood changes, feelings of anxiety and depression, and issues with memory and concentration.
What About a Severe TBI?
After a severe head injury, symptoms can present almost immediately or in the hours and days after the incident occurs. Loss of consciousness, persistent headaches, convulsions, finger and toe weakness, and vomiting and nausea are some of the most common symptoms. Some people have also experienced pupil dilation and a clear fluid leaking from their nose or ears, along with a loss of coordination.
If you notice that your speech is slurred, you’re confused, agitated, or your behavior has changed, you may be showing cognitive signs of a TBI. Seek medical assistance immediately.
What To Do After a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Immediately after an accident, regardless of what that accident involves, it’s essential to seek medical attention. Contact emergency services to attend the scene, then visit your local hospital for a thorough examination.
These two steps are critical, for the resultant paperwork may prove useful if you decide to file a legal claim. However, in the event of a severe TBI, a scene examination is likely to be carried out for you.
It’s at this time that you, or a family member, should contact a traumatic brain injury lawyer for advice. The attorney’s at J. Alexander Law Firm can visit you in the hospital or your home and run through the events of the situation to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.
