One of the most common ways that people get traumatic brain injuries is from motor vehicle accidents, according to the CDC. These injuries can lead to both short and long-term health problems and can range from mild to severe. Traumatic brain injuries aren’t the only kind of neurological issues that can result from a traffic accident, though.
If you’ve recently been in an accident and you’re experiencing neurological symptoms, it’s important to visit a doctor. Brain and nerve injuries are very serious, and a doctor can help you navigate the steps to healing.
Are you wondering what neurological issues can result from a car accident? Let’s take a look at what you need to know.
Neurological Issues That Can Result From Car Accidents
When we think of getting into an auto accident, we often think of the physical impact that can have on us. Whether it means getting bruised up or more seriously injured, we don’t typically think about the way a car accident can impact your brain function.
However, your neurological function can definitely be affected by such an intense and shocking event like a car accident. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to go to a physician after even a small accident. Additionally, you should pay extra attention to how you are feeling and keep an eye out for the symptoms we’ll discuss below.
Traumatic Brain Injury
The most commonly diagnosed neurological issue when people get in car accidents is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These are serious injuries that require prompt medical attention.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is another common disorder resulting from car accidents or motorcycle accidents. This occurs when nerves are stretched, compressed, crushed, or severed. This can leave you with feelings of weakness, numbness, prickling sensations, and tingling.
Radiculopathy
When you pinch a nerve root in the spinal column, a range of symptoms referred to as radiculopathy occurs. This injury can also result from a traffic accident.
How Can a Car Accident Impact Neurological Function?
There are many different types of neurological disorders that can result from physical trauma. They are most commonly associated with injuries to the spinal cord or head. Even if you don’t think you were injured in an accident, the force of the accident alone can impact your nerves and the tissue that surrounds them.
What Are the Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury?
When a person’s head or body receives a violent blow or is forcefully jolted, a traumatic brain injury can occur. They can also be caused by an object going through brain tissue, such as a shattered piece of the skull or a bullet.
A person who receives a mild TMI might only experience a temporary effect on their brain cells. TBIs that are more serious can result in bleeding, torn tissues, bruising, and other types of brain damage. This type of injury can lead to long-lasting complications or even death.
There is a wide range of psychological and physical effects that can result from a traumatic brain injury. Some of these symptoms or signs might not appear for days or weeks, while others might show up immediately following the event.
Signs and Symptoms of a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
People can experience physical, sensory, and cognitive/behavioral symptoms when they have a mild traumatic brain injury. Some of the physical symptoms a person might experience include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Problems with speech
- Headache
- Loss of balance or dizziness
- Drowsiness or fatigue
Some of the sensory symptoms they might experience include:
- Sensitivity to sound or light
- Sensory problems such as ringing in the ears, blurred vision, change in the ability to smell, or a bad taste in the mouth
Some of the cognitive, mental, or behavioral symptoms they might experience include:
- A state of being confused, disoriented and dazed even though they didn’t lose consciousness
- Loss of consciousness for between several seconds or minutes
- Mood swings or mood changes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling anxious or depressed
- Concentration or memory problems
- Sleeping more than usual
As mentioned above, it can sometimes take weeks for symptoms to arise after a car accident.
Signs and Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
A person who has a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can experience any of the symptoms mentioned above for mild injuries. They also might experience some of the following symptoms.
Moderate to severe TBIs can lead to these physical symptoms:
- Persistent headache or a worsening headache
- Loss of consciousness for between several minutes to several hours
- Convulsions or seizures
- Nausea or repeated vomiting
- Inability to wake up once asleep
- Dilation of both pupils or just one
- Numbness or weakness in toes and fingers
- Clear fluids draining from the ears or nose
- Loss of coordination
Some of the mental symptoms of a moderate to severe TBI include:
- Slurred speech
- Profound confusion
- Disorders of consciousness such as coma
- Combativeness, agitation, or other unusual behavior
It’s important to understand that a mild traumatic brain injury is still a serious injury, just as more moderate or severe injuries are. These are simply terms that describe the way brain function is impacted by the injury. Any type of TBI requires prompt medical attention.
Are You Looking For a Car Accident Attorney?
If you’ve been left with neurological issues after a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to carry the weight of that all on your own. When you hire an experienced traffic accident lawyer, you can get the compensation you deserve.
Are you looking for a lawyer to help represent you after an auto accident? If so, contact us today!
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
