5 Signs You may Have Suffered a Brain Injury After a Car Accident

More than 7.2 million motor vehicle crashes were reported to police in 2016, with nearly 35,000 of those crashes involving a fatality of some sort. Car accidents are dangerous situations and can happen for a variety of reasons, but no matter the cause, collisions can cause serious damage to not only the driver and their occupants, but other people on the road.

One of the most common injuries experienced in a car accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Any kind of brain injury should be taken seriously, but sometimes, the symptoms of these injuries can be hard to pinpoint. Here are five signs you may have a TBI after being in a car accident:

This is perhaps one of the most obvious signs of a brain injury. A loss of consciousness can range anywhere from a couple seconds to several minutes or a few hours. No matter the length of time you may have lost consciousness, it is always a cause for concern, and you should always be examined by a doctor.

A car crash can be a jarring experience for anyone, but persistent, long-lasting signs of confusion, disorientation, or being dazed or in a general state of disarray may show that your brain suffered an injury, and you should seek medical attention.

Not all brain injury symptoms are physical - sometimes, symptoms can be mental or emotional. One symptom to watch out for is a change in your normal sleeping habits, including an increase in sleeping or difficulty falling asleep.

Other types of mental or emotional symptoms to watch out for include changes to your mood, such as unusual agitation, aggressiveness, sadness, or signs of anxiety or depression. These symptoms can be harder to pinpoint, especially if there is a prior history of mood disorders or depression, but they can be signs that a brain injury has occurred.

Following a car accident, you may notice that you are unusually sensitive to light, sound, or other distractions. This could be a sign of a TBI, and your symptoms should be monitored by a medical professional.

In many cases, symptoms of a brain injury are not always apparent immediately following a car accident. Sometimes, TBI symptoms take days or even weeks to fully manifest. Our talented and compassionate California car accident lawyers can help you seek the maximum compensation possible for your accident. At Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P., we understand that brain injuries are no joking matter and can seriously impact the quality of your life. If you have suffered a TBI in a car accident, contact our office at 408-298-7200 to set up a free consultation.

• Summary of Motor Vehicle Crashes
• Traumatic Brain Injury Signs and Symptoms
• Traumatic brain injury