A personal injury can happen just about anywhere. Whether it is on the road, at the store, or even at work, it is usually pretty easy to tell if the accident injured you or not. While a sprained ankle or a broken arm is easy to spot, some deadly injuries are not so easy to find.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that can have very few visual indicators to alert you of any actual harm. This difficulty in recognizing these injuries may contribute to the 50,000 TBI deaths each year. If spotting the signs of a TBI after an accident is important, what can you look for in a victim to identify one of these injuries?
Signs of a possible TBI
Part of what makes TBIs so hard to identify is the nature of the symptoms. On their own, some symptoms can seem like they are completely unrelated to the accident that caused them. Common signs of a TBI include:
- Headaches or migraines
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Vomiting or nausea
- Trouble getting to sleep or sleeping too long
Other symptoms are more troubling than others, such as:
- Serious or extended confusion
- Memory problems, especially related to just before or after the accident
- Dilated pupils or blurred vision
- Trouble speaking
- Motor skill difficulties
When the victim of a personal injury overlooks the signs of a TBI, things rarely get better independently. If a TBI does not get the medical attention it needs soon, it can result in paralysis, strokes, or death.
Do not take chances with a TBI
If you or a loved one suffered a head injury, no matter how minor, pay close attention to any changes in behavior or health. If anything seems irregular, see a doctor immediately. Even if you previously received a clean bill of health, some injuries can take a few hours or days to develop and have lifelong consequences.