One of the side effects of being in a car accident is the chance of developing a traumatic brain injury. As far as injuries go, TBIs can cause lifelong problems. There are many symptoms to look for to see if you or a loved one has a TBI.
Mild Symptoms
Mild symptoms of a TBI can develop hours to a few days later. Some may even take weeks. Don’t delay seeking medical treatment if you think you or a loved one has a TBI. Contact a personal injury law firm Hillsborough County if your TBI is from a car accident. Common mild physical symptoms can include fatigue, dizziness, headache, a few seconds to minutes of consciousness loss, speech problems, nausea, loss of balance, disoriented or dazed state without loss of consciousness, needing more sleep than usual or having difficulty sleeping. Common mild mental or cognitive symptoms can include anxious or depressive feelings, concentration problems, memory issues, mood swings or changes in mood. Sensitivity to light or sound or blurred vision are common sensory symptoms.
Severe Symptoms
Building on mild symptoms, moderate to severe symptoms can include repeated vomiting, persistent headaches, loss of coordination and dilation of the eyes. Seizures, convulsions, numbness or weakness in the toes and fingers, ears or nose draining clear fluids or difficulty awakening from sleep are additional physical symptoms. Several minutes to hours of loss of consciousness, slurred speech, profound confusion, coma and agitation may also present.
Medical Attention
Please seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one is experiencing any of the moderate to severe symptoms. Often these present immediately following an accident and should be treated right away to prevent further damage. Even children can experience a TBI in a car accident and may have similar changes in behavior or physical symptoms. Don’t be fooled by the term mild, any TBI symptoms should result in immediate medical care following an accident.