Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most catastrophic car crash injuries possible, in part because they generally do not respond to medical treatment. Doctors can intervene to prevent the condition from worsening after the initial trauma, but there is no method to actually cure the damage done when someone sustains a TBI.
The sooner a person who hurts their brain in a car crash receives a diagnosis and begins treatment, the better their chances of limiting the progression of their symptoms. What are some of the warning signs of a brain injury that may make seeing a doctor necessary after a collision?
A loss of consciousness
People who black out during or immediately after a car crash have likely injured their brains. Even if they only lose consciousness for a few seconds, they could develop symptoms that slowly grow worse as time passes. Anyone who passes out during a collision may need to see a doctor to determine if they have sustained a TBI.
Headaches and nausea
People may experience somewhat generic and mild symptoms that can be indicative of an early-stage TBI. A feeling of nausea that begins after the car crash, with or without vomiting, can serve as a warning sign of a TBI.
So can a headache that starts mild and persists for days or grows worse over time. Those seemingly minor symptoms aren’t necessarily just a side effect of muscular tension and nerves. They may be the body’s way of warning an individual that they injured their brain in the crash.
Changes in sensory perception
The brain analyzes incoming sensory information to help keep people safe. Those functions require a lot of the brain’s effort, and injuries to the brain can alter the ability to accurately assess sensory information. People may notice blurry vision in some cases or changes in their sense of smell. Those can be early warning signs of damage to the brain.
Motor function challenges
Some people notice an issue with their sense of balance after a car crash. For others, fine motor control may become more of a challenge. Others may notice a change in how they walk. Their gait or step pattern may shift.
Cognitive changes
TBIs have a strong association with memory issues. People may struggle to recall information or to form new memories. They might notice a change in their mood or in their personality. Others may find it more difficult to focus or to make decisions quickly.
Given the broad range of symptoms possible, people who notice potential warning signs of a TBI may need to see a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose the injury and prevent it from getting worse. Recognizing unusual symptoms as a warning sign of a brain injury could help people get the care that they require and the compensation they deserve after a car crash.