Hitting your head in a car accident or at the time of a slip and fall can at first be deceptive of how serious the injury really is. You may have a cut or a bump because of the hit and believe that is the extent of the injury. Unfortunately, there can be much more damage on the inside that you cannot see. This damage that can happen to your brain could mean you experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The effects of TBI are not always immediately felt and symptoms that show you have done more damage to your brain than you first believed could take days. There are even times when you can suffer from TBI without an actual hit to your head. A violent shake of your head from something like a car accident can be enough to jar your brain enough to cause damage.
Determining if you have may have TBI
One possible sign that you may have TBI is if you lost consciousness during your accident or fall. Even if it was just for a moment or two, losing consciousness means your brain has been affected in some way and is turning off or restarting. Regardless if you blacked out or not, any damage to your brain can be very serious. Since our brains control everything we do, any damage can have an impact on many of your cognitive abilities.
Symptoms of TBI
If you notice any of the following symptoms after an accident or fall, you should consult with a doctor immediately.
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizzy/confused/disoriented
- Loss of memory
- Tired/fatigue
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Hard time concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Irritability
- Depression
- Vomiting
Many people make the mistake that a bump to the head and experiencing any of the symptoms listed above are only temporary and will go away in a day or two. However, the longer you wait to see a doctor the greater chance of developing additional damages.
If a head injury has kept you from working or enjoying your normal daily activities, you should speak to a personal injury attorney who can assist you in determining if there are options available to you for compensation.