A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen when a sudden impact, blow, jolt, or penetrating injury affects the brain. Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, falls, workplace accidents, and other traumatic events can all result in brain injuries.
One of the most concerning aspects of a traumatic brain injury is that symptoms are not always immediately obvious. A person may feel relatively normal after an accident and develop symptoms hours or even days later. That is why it is important to understand the warning signs and seek appropriate medical attention after a significant accident.
If another person’s negligence caused the accident and you suffered a brain injury, you may also have legal options. A traumatic brain injury attorney can help you understand your rights and determine whether you may be entitled to compensation.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when an external force causes an injury to the brain. The severity can range from a mild concussion to a severe brain injury requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation. A concussion is one example of a traumatic brain injury. Even when a concussion is considered mild, symptoms can interfere with work, school, daily activities, concentration, sleep, and overall quality of life.
More serious brain injuries can result in long-term physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes. Because symptoms can vary significantly from person to person, anyone involved in an accident should pay attention to changes in their physical or mental condition.
1. Persistent or Worsening Headaches
A headache after an accident should not automatically be dismissed as a normal consequence of stress or impact. A headache can occur after a concussion or other brain injury. If the headache is severe, persistent, or becomes progressively worse, it should receive appropriate medical attention.
Pay attention to changes such as:
A headache that does not improve
Increasing headache severity
A sudden or unusually severe headache
Headache accompanied by vomiting, confusion, or unusual behavior
A worsening headache after a head injury can be a warning sign of a more serious problem and should not be ignored.
2. Confusion or Difficulty Thinking Clearly
Changes in thinking and mental clarity can occur following a traumatic brain injury. Someone who normally communicates clearly may suddenly have difficulty understanding conversations, remembering information, concentrating, or making ordinary decisions.
You may notice:
Confusion
Difficulty concentrating
Trouble remembering recent events
Slower thinking
Difficulty following instructions
Feeling mentally “foggy”
These symptoms may be subtle, especially shortly after an accident. If you or someone close to you notices a significant change in your ability to think or communicate after an accident, seek medical evaluation.
3. Loss of Consciousness
Loss of consciousness following an accident can indicate that the brain has been affected. Even a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously. It is important to tell medical professionals what happened, including approximately how long you were unconscious if that information is known.
However, it is also important to understand that a person does not have to lose consciousness to have a traumatic brain injury. A concussion or other TBI can occur without an obvious loss of consciousness.
4. Nausea or Repeated Vomiting
Nausea can occur after a head injury, particularly with a concussion. Repeated vomiting following an accident is more concerning and may require urgent medical assessment, particularly when it occurs alongside other neurological symptoms.
If you have suffered a head impact and experience persistent nausea, repeated vomiting, increasing headache, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or other concerning symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Do not assume these symptoms are simply caused by anxiety or the stress of the accident.
5. Dizziness or Problems With Balance
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, or having difficulty maintaining balance can occur after a traumatic brain injury.
You may feel as though:
The room is spinning
You are losing your balance
You are unsteady when walking
Your movements feel less coordinated
You become dizzy when changing positions
Balance problems can make ordinary activities more difficult and may increase the risk of another fall or injury. If dizziness or balance problems develop after an accident, tell your healthcare provider about the symptoms and when they began.
6. Changes in Vision, Speech, or Coordination
Changes in normal neurological function can be important warning signs following an accident. Depending on the injury, a person may experience blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking clearly, unusual coordination problems, or other changes in normal functioning.
Sudden or severe changes in vision, speech, movement, or coordination should receive prompt medical attention. Do not wait to see whether serious neurological symptoms simply disappear on their own.
7. Unusual Sleepiness or Difficulty Staying Awake
Fatigue can occur after an accident, but unusual or increasing drowsiness can be concerning after a head injury. If a person becomes difficult to wake, unusually sleepy, increasingly confused, or less responsive following an accident, urgent medical evaluation may be necessary. When someone has suffered a significant head injury, changes in alertness should not be dismissed as ordinary tiredness.
8. Seizures
A seizure after a traumatic event is a serious symptom that requires medical attention. Seizures can involve uncontrolled movements, changes in awareness, staring episodes, or other unusual neurological activity. If a person experiences a seizure after an accident, seek emergency medical care.
9. Significant Changes in Mood or Behavior
Brain injuries can affect more than physical abilities. After an accident, you or your family members may notice unexpected changes in personality, mood, or behavior.
These may include:
Increased irritability
Anxiety
Depression
Emotional outbursts
Unusual impulsive behavior
Difficulty controlling emotions
Personality changes
These symptoms can sometimes be overlooked because they may not appear to be directly connected to a physical injury. If significant behavioral or emotional changes develop after an accident, discuss them with a healthcare professional.
Why Can Brain Injury Symptoms Appear Later?
One reason traumatic brain injuries can be difficult to recognize is that symptoms may not always appear immediately. After an accident, adrenaline and stress can temporarily make it difficult to recognize how seriously you have been injured. Some symptoms may also develop or become more noticeable as time passes.
That is why it is important to monitor your condition after an accident, even if you initially feel fine. If new or worsening symptoms appear, seek medical attention rather than assuming they are unrelated to the accident.
What Should You Do After a Possible Brain Injury?
If you believe you may have suffered a traumatic brain injury, medical evaluation should be a priority. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and keep documentation related to your treatment. This may include medical records, diagnostic test results, prescriptions, hospital records, and follow-up appointments.
It can also be helpful to keep notes about symptoms and when they began or changed. If the injury resulted from an accident caused by another person, preserve other relevant evidence as well, including photographs, accident reports, witness information, insurance correspondence, and records of expenses or missed work.
Can a Traumatic Brain Injury Affect Your Life Long-Term?
The effects of a traumatic brain injury can vary considerably. Some people recover relatively quickly, while others may experience symptoms that continue for weeks, months, or longer. A serious brain injury may affect a person’s ability to work, communicate, remember information, perform everyday activities, or participate in activities they previously enjoyed.
Long-term consequences can also affect family members who provide care and support. If your brain injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, the financial and personal impact may extend far beyond the initial emergency treatment. This is why it is important to consider the full extent of your losses when evaluating a potential personal injury claim.
When Should You Contact a Brain Injury Lawyer?
Not every head injury results in a legal claim. However, if you suffered a traumatic brain injury because of another person’s negligence, it may be worthwhile to discuss your situation with a brain injury lawyer.
Legal guidance may be especially important when:
The accident resulted in significant or lasting symptoms
You require ongoing medical treatment
You are unable to return to work
Your earning ability has been affected
The insurance company disputes your injury
Another person caused the accident
The insurer questions whether your symptoms are related to the accident
You are facing substantial medical expenses
Brain injuries can be challenging to prove because symptoms may not always be visible. Medical records and expert opinions can play an important role in establishing the nature and extent of the injury. A lawyer can help identify the evidence that may be relevant to your claim.
What Compensation May Be Available for a Brain Injury?
The compensation available in a personal injury case depends on the circumstances and the losses involved.
Depending on the claim, damages may potentially include:
Medical expenses
Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Future medical care
Lost wages
Reduced earning capacity
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Other accident-related financial losses
For someone with a serious brain injury, future care and changes in earning ability may be particularly important when evaluating the overall impact of the injury. A traumatic brain injury attorney can review the circumstances of your accident and explain what types of damages may potentially apply to your case.
Do Not Ignore Symptoms After an Accident
A head injury does not always leave an obvious external mark. Someone can look fine and still be experiencing a significant brain injury. Persistent headaches, confusion, dizziness, vomiting, changes in vision, unusual sleepiness, seizures, and changes in behavior are symptoms that deserve appropriate medical attention.
If you have been involved in an accident, pay attention to how you feel after the event and seek medical care when symptoms develop or worsen. If another person’s negligence caused your injury, you should also understand your legal options.
Talk to a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
A traumatic brain injury can affect nearly every part of your life, from your physical health and ability to work to your relationships and everyday independence. If you believe your brain injury resulted from someone else’s negligence, you do not have to navigate the legal process alone.
A brain injury lawyer can investigate the accident, review medical evidence, communicate with insurance companies, evaluate your losses, and help you understand your legal options. Contact 5280 Injury Law to discuss your accident and learn more about your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the most common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?
Common symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, nausea, fatigue, vision changes, sleep problems, and changes in mood or behavior. Symptoms can vary depending on the severity and type of injury.
Can you have a brain injury without losing consciousness?
Yes. A person can experience a concussion or another traumatic brain injury without losing consciousness. The absence of unconsciousness does not automatically rule out a brain injury.
Can traumatic brain injury symptoms appear days after an accident?
Yes. Some symptoms may not be immediately obvious and can become noticeable or worsen after the accident. New or worsening symptoms following a head injury should be evaluated by a medical professional.
How is a traumatic brain injury diagnosed?
Healthcare professionals may evaluate symptoms, medical history, neurological function, and the circumstances of the injury. Depending on the situation, diagnostic imaging or other medical assessments may be used.
Can I file a personal injury claim for a traumatic brain injury?
Potentially. If another person’s negligence caused the accident and you suffered a compensable brain injury, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. The specific facts and applicable Colorado law will determine whether a claim can be pursued.
