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Injured in a Car Accident? Do Not Ignore Common Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Melinda was involved in a four-car pileup on a major Ontario highway. Her airbags didn’t deploy, and the force of impact sent her head slamming into her steering wheel.
Melinda has cuts on her forehead, bruises, and a headache, but she mostly feels okay. The EMT cautions her to get checked out at the local hospital, but Melinda declines transport. After all, some of the other drivers involved in the accident are in much worse shape and she hasn’t broken any bones. She’s just tired.
A few days go by and Melinda is still experiencing headaches, sensitivity to light, brain fog, and confusion. She is irritable and cannot concentrate on her work. Her friend encourages her to tell her doctor who immediately recognizes the signs of a concussion. The doctor refers Melinda to a neurologist who will make a referral for a CT scan. Melinda suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of the collision.
How often do the people involved in car accidents sustain TBIs? How do you know the difference between a simple headache and the warning signs of a severe TBI?
Warning Signs of a TBI
In the immediate aftermath of a motor vehicle collision, the physical signs of a concussion or TBI are not always readily apparent. In fact, it is common for patients to only exhibit symptoms several hours or even days after sustaining their injuries. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, hearing difficulty, dizziness, restlessness, insomnia, lethargy, and cognitive issues like brain fog.
TBIs often cause the victim to experience difficulty concentrating or recalling information. Some victims of TBI suffer a range of behavioural symptoms, including extreme mood swings, unpredictability, aggression and anxiety. Untreated TBIs could be extremely serious, and in some cases, could cause permanent brain damage.
Next Steps After a Collision
If you were involved in a car accident, seeking emergency medical attention could be crucial. Even if you feel okay, the symptoms of the injuries you sustained may not develop until much later. Motor vehicle collisions could cause accident victims to go into shock, a process in which the body produces adrenaline. This adrenaline could delay or diminish pains associated with newly acquired injuries. Therefore, even if you do not feel any pain, it might not be safe for you to drive home. Accident victims who seek emergency treatment after their collisions can receive proper medical evaluation and supervision.
While seeking emergency medical attention, doctors may request imaging of the brain be conducted by performing a CT (computerized tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Both tests provide cross-images of the brain and skull so doctors can look for swelling, lesions, and other signs of a TBI.
After a car accident, even though litigation might be the last thing on your mind, you could be facing a deluge of medical bills and newly acquired expenses. This may be especially true if you sustained severe injuries, require rehabilitation or physical therapy, need to pay for car repairs out-of-pocket, and have lost wages as a result of your accident.
If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision, contact our Ontario car accident lawyers to learn how we may be able to help with your case.
Call Preszler Injury Lawyers
Car accidents can be an extremely disruptive event. When collisions cause accident victims to sustain TBIs, even though symptoms may not be immediately apparent, if they are not treated properly, they could quickly deteriorate into medical emergencies and lifelong damage.
If you were injured because of another driver’s negligence, our Ontario car accident lawyers may be able to help you recover financial compensation. To learn more, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today, and speak with our car accident lawyers serving all of Ontario.
