4 Signs of Head Injury After an Accident
| June 24th, 2024
Around 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer head injuries each year. If you suffer a head injury, it can lead to serious health issues, ranging from discomfort to long-term cognitive impairments that affect your daily life.
Knowing the signs of a head injury can help you receive quick medical care, including diagnosis and treatment after an accident. If your traumatic brain injury (TBI) is due to another’s negligence, our California car accident lawyers can help you seek compensation to pay for recovery-related expenses.
What Causes Head Injuries?
A head injury refers to any trauma to the skull, scalp, or brain and can vary widely in severity. Head trauma includes blunt force, penetration, and shaking injuries and can result in relatively minor, temporary issues like concussions or more serious, long-term injuries like TBIs.
Sudden impacts or movements often cause head injuries. Common accidents leading to these injuries include:
- Boating Accidents: Collisions with other boats or stationary objects like rocks can throw passengers against hard surfaces within the vessel, leading to head injuries.
- Car Accidents: Vehicle crashes between cars, motorcycles, or trucks can result in head injuries due to impact on parts of the vehicle or flying debris.
- Slip and Falls: Wet floors, uneven surfaces, and trip hazards can cause falls that result in the head striking the ground, leading to TBIs.
- Construction Accidents: Workers at construction sites are at risk of head injuries due to impacts with heavy machinery, falling objects, or accidents involving elevated work surfaces.
The Signs of a Head Injury
Head injuries have various symptoms, depending on the severity. If you notice any of the following signs after an accident, visit the doctor immediately. This can help you receive appropriate testing and treatment and provide documentation for a possible legal claim:
| Symptom | What You Might Feel | What a Doctor Can Do | Possible Treatments |
| Headaches | Persistent or severe headaches that may worsen, suggesting increased intracranial pressure or trauma. | CT scan or MRI to check for brain injury or swelling. | Pain relief medications, rest, and monitoring for complications. |
| Dizziness | Loss of balance or feeling lightheaded, indicative of inner ear or brain injury. | Vestibular function tests, MRI to assess the inner ear and brain. | Balance therapy, medication for nausea, rest. |
| Memory Problems | Difficulty remembering recent events, pointing to a serious TBI with cognitive dysfunction. | Neuropsychological testing, like a memory test or executive function test to evaluate memory and cognitive function. | Cognitive therapy, memory aids, brain exercises. |
| Mood or Behavior Changes | Sudden mood swings or uncharacteristic irritability can reflect TBI impacting the frontal lobe. | Psychological evaluation or EEG to monitor brain activity. | Counseling, medication for mood stabilization, therapy. |
Legal Considerations for Head Injury Cases
Legal issues surrounding head injury cases are often complicated due to the internal nature of the injuries and the varying symptoms and outcomes for each person. When pursuing compensation for a head injury, strategize with your attorney on the following:
- Establishing Causation: To succeed in a case against a negligent party, you need to demonstrate that their actions and the ensuing accident led to your injury. This involves collecting evidence that connects your brain trauma to the specific incident, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements.
- Assessing Long-Term Effects: Understanding the full scope of a head injury can be challenging, as the effects may not be immediately visible and can change over time. A solid legal strategy could include regular medical assessments and personal journals that track the injury’s long-term impact.
- Untreated Brain Injuries: If you didn’t experience symptoms immediately or seek medical attention, you might have an untreated brain injury, which can lead to poorer health outcomes and complicate the process of connecting the injury to the accident. The opposing party might argue that you had a pre-existing condition or that your failure to consult a doctor implies partial responsibility on your part. It’s important to see a medical provider right after an accident to protect your health and legal rights.
- Using Expert Testimony: Head injury cases often involve complex medical details that require clarification. Expert witnesses like neurologists can explain the nature of the injury, link it to the accident, and describe its impact on your life. Their insights can clarify medical issues and strengthen your case in court.
Get Fair Compensation with Berg Injury Lawyers
Recovering from a brain injury after an accident can be a challenging and lengthy process. Our experienced attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers can help make your recovery smoother by securing a settlement that covers medical expenses and necessary accommodations for daily living.
We have a proven track record of success for our clients, including securing a settlement over five times the initial offer. Contact us today for a free consultation to explore your case and legal options.
