Following a car accident, drivers and passengers may experience a traumatic brain injury. People involved in a significant crash should see a doctor to receive testing to see if any injuries occurred within the cranial tissue.
There are many short-term complications you may experience right after a collision. You may have experienced a temporary loss of consciousness, which is typically a sign you suffered a concussion. Other short-term effects of a traumatic brain injury include nausea, vomiting and headache. It may be easy to write off these symptoms as related to something else, but if you see a doctor, then you know if you sustained brain damage. This becomes paramount because more severe symptoms may not manifest until months or years later.
Long-term impact
Some people will experience permanent behavior changes following a car crash. Such changes trouble speaking, concentrating and processing information. Depression and mood swings are also common. Various other symptoms that can appear include:
- Tinnitus
- Sleeping disorders
- Seizures
- Chronic headaches
- Constant fatigue
Epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s have also occurred within traumatic brain injury sufferers. With so many potential complications, it is paramount to see a doctor right after a severe injury.
Doctor’s report
Since many symptoms do not develop until months or years down the line, it becomes difficult to prove these complications occurred as a result of a car accident a long time ago. However, if you have a doctor’s report on file and you received an MRI showing you sustained a cranial injury, then the possibility of receiving compensation for these symptoms becomes much more likely.
With this in mind, it is always recommended to see a doctor even if you do not believe the accident was that severe. Minor whiplash can result in complications, so even if you feel all right at the moment, it is still advised to get a thorough examination. It is better to be safe than sorry.