Following a car accident, a head injury is one of the more severe types of injuries you could suffer. Injuries to the head can damage many systems of the body, as the brain is the control center of the body. Because of this, determining how severe your head injury is after a car accident is vital.
Keep in mind, however, that a mild head injury should still be taken seriously and provided medical treatment. Even a minor brain injury can worsen without emergency medical attention. However, specialized Pittsburgh brain injury lawyers suggest that a more serious head injury may require swifter and more intensive treatment.
Common Types of Head Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are not one single head injury. In fact, this can include many different types of injuries, ranging from concussions to skull fractures.
Other common types of brain injuries include contusions, also known as bruises on the brain. You may also experience diffuse axonal injuries, which happen when the brain moves around inside the skull and is damaged by striking the sides of the skull. If you believe you have suffered any of these injuries, seek medical care right away to get the help you need to recover from your injuries.
Signs of Mild TBI to Watch for
The signs of a mild traumatic brain injury may not seem so serious. However, watching out for these symptoms can help you more easily recover. Symptoms of a mild or minor TBI may include the following:
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Memory issues
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
If you have suffered any of these symptoms, it is best to seek out medical attention right away. Even a mild TBI can come with serious consequences and can impact your life for weeks or months. Worse, TBIs can compound, meaning that if you have another one, the symptoms may be much worse, so getting treatment now helps you recover.
Symptoms of Severe Brain Trauma
A moderate or severe head injury typically comes with much more serious signs of injury. Often, these require emergency medical attention and can be life-threatening. Seek medical attention right away if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Losing consciousness or experiencing a coma
- Memory loss
- One dilated pupil
- Convulsions or seizures
- Slurred speech
- Severe headaches that linger or worsen
- Clear fluid leaking from the ears or nose
A severe head injury can come with a variety of symptoms, some of which may leave the victim unable to seek help themselves. If you or a loved one is experiencing this, contact medical personnel as soon as possible. Acting now can save a life.
When Should I Go to the Hospital?
Generally speaking, if you believe you have suffered from a TBI of any severity, it is best to go to the hospital right away. Head injuries can be difficult to predict, and what may seem like a less severe injury can worsen over time and become life-threatening or disabling. For example, what seems like a mild impact can cause swelling of the brain, which can be deadly in some circumstances.
Going to the hospital is also vital if you are planning on filing a lawsuit. Pittsburgh car accident attorneys know that injuries can be severe, and getting a record of those injuries being connected to your car accident is a vital piece of evidence. Experienced personal injury attorneys in Pittsburgh suggest that even if you feel fine, it is often best for both your health and your lawsuit if you go to the hospital right after your car accident and ensure that your head injury is not a danger to you.