Car accidents can result in a number of serious injuries. As in any situation where one sustains an impact to the head, traumatic brain injury can be a possibility.

Car crashes, as well as accidents involving falls or getting hit with an object, number among the major reasons for TBI. This condition can lead to substantial medical expenses and can also affect one's ability to earn a living. Speaking with an experienced attorney can give you more insight on your options for recovering these and other damages.

Symptoms often arrive later

You could sustain a TBI in an accident and not realize it until later. Moderate TBI typically causes one to pass out for less than half an hour and also affects memory. Loss of consciousness can last as little as a few seconds. Someone who has been in a crash may not even notice this in the stress of the moment.

You may not have a diagnosis right away

While visible head wounds have a greater chance of drawing the attention of first responders, many instances of moderate TBI do not receive a diagnosis in the emergency room. Often, symptoms develop later, with some taking as long as several months to show up.

Watch out for these symptoms

Common TBI symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Depending on which area of the brain was affected, people experience various degrees of impairment to functions such as speech, focus, physical coordination and memory. Some undergo emotional changes, becoming irritable or prone to mood swings. Seek medical attention for changes in your physical and mental health in the months following the accident, even if your symptoms do not feel very serious.

Available treatments

TBI treatments can include surgery to relieve pressure on the brain, pain medication and various rehabilitative therapies to address functional impairments. Some people experience a relatively rapid improvement and essentially regain an acceptable level of functioning. Others may achieve improvement yet continue to feel the effects of this injury for many years.