What Are the Signs of Brain Injury After a Car Accident?

A hard hit in a crash does not have to leave a visible wound to change how your brain works. The signs of brain injury after car accident might even be subtle at first. In some cases, they can show up hours or even days later. Even if you feel okay, it is very important to seek medical assistance after a car accident to make sure you have not sustained an injury with delayed symptoms.

Even a “mild brain injury” can disrupt sleep, mood, memory, and concentration. More serious injuries can lead to long-term disability and life-changing medical needs. When you or someone you love suffers a head injury in a car accident, having an experienced Phoenix brain injury lawyer on your side can help you pursue the damages necessary to properly address the consequences.

How Common Is Brain Injury After a Car Accident?

Car accidents are the third leading cause of brain injury in the United States. A comprehensive study published by the National Institutes of Health found that there are around 218,936 emergency department visits related to brain injuries from car crashes every year. These result in 56,864 hospitalizations and 16,402 deaths annually. Both the immediate and long-term costs associated with these injuries can be astronomical, leading many people to struggle to cover bills and meet basic needs.

At Burg Simpson, we have spent decades helping individuals and families seek full and fair compensation after car accidents. We are here when you need us to assess your damages, fight for your rights, and help ensure you have the resources necessary to live the fullest and most rewarding life possible after serious injury.

Talk to a Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer for FREE

 If you are dealing with the signs of brain injury after a car accident, call Burg Simpson at 602-777-7000 to schedule a FREE and confidential consultation with one of our Arizona TBI lawyers today. Based in Phoenix, our lawyers proudly represent victims of serious car crash injuries in Scottsdale, Glendale, Paradise Valley, and throughout the state.

Signs of Brain Injury After a Car Accident

There are several types of brain injury that can be sustained in an accident. They are often categorized by severity: mild, moderate, and severe. Signs of brain injury after a car accident can vary widely depending on the type and extent of damage that has been sustained.

Concussion (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury)

Concussion is one of the most common crash-related brain injuries. Symptoms can include just “feeling off” as well as:

• Headache or pressure in the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Fatigue and drowsiness
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Vision changes (blurriness, etc.)
• Trouble concentrating and “foggy thinking”
• Feeling slowed down
• Short-term memory problems
• Confusion
• Mood changes (sadness, anxiety, irritability, etc.)

While these signs of brain injury after a car accident may be classified as “minor,” their real-world impact is often profound. Do not convince yourself that a diagnosis of concussion is too insignificant to warrant compensation beyond what insurance may initially offer.

Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

More serious TBIs may involve longer loss of consciousness, more pronounced confusion, and significant neurological changes. These injuries are often classified as medical emergencies and may require intensive treatment.

Symptoms that may suggest a more serious brain injury include:

• Persistent or worsening headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Problems with speech (slurred speech, trouble finding words, etc.)
• Weakness, numbness, or coordination problems
• Seizures
• One pupil larger than the other
• Unusual eye movement
• Severe vision problems
• Severe confusion, agitation, or behavioral changes
• Motivational deficits

Moderate to severe TBI can result in lifelong consequences, including physical disability, emotional and mental difficulties, and prolonged psychological changes. They can also result in significant financial losses due to emergency medical care, medications, ongoing treatment, time missed from work, reduced earning capacity, and help needed with everyday tasks.

If you have sustained a serious brain injury in a car crash, having an experienced and dedicated attorney on your side is one of the surest ways to successfully pursue the compensation you will require to live the best life possible.

Are Signs of Brain Injury After a Car Accident Always Immediate?

No. Delayed symptoms are common, especially with concussion and certain types of bleeding, such as subdural hematomas, which can develop days or even months later. Delayed signs of brain injury after a car accident may be a result of:

• Adrenaline. Right after a wreck, your body is in survival mode. Pain and confusion can be muted.
• Evolving inflammation. Swelling and chemical changes in the brain can take time to build.
• Progressive bleeding. A slow bleed can start small and become dangerous later.

You should always get checked out after a car accident, even if you believe you have escaped a serious injury. A prompt medical evaluation helps to catch hidden problems earlier, allowing your medical team to address the issue before severe and irreversible complications arise.

When to Treat Symptoms as an Emergency

If you notice any of the following symptoms after a crash, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away:

• Repeated vomiting
• Seizures
• Worsening headache
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness
• Escalating confusion
• Loss of consciousness

Even without these symptoms, if you have sustained a head injury or been shaken in a car crash, it is a good idea to seek a comprehensive medical evaluation as soon as possible to ensure nothing has been missed.

When you suffer brain injury in a car accident, it is important to have the right medical experts providing treatment. It is equally important to have the right legal team on your side to help secure compensation for current and ongoing medical care, as well as all of the other costs, physical, emotional, and financial, that can accompany these injuries.

Why Hire Burg Simpson for Brain Injury Representation?

Insurance companies have ways of delaying, minimizing, and denying claims for victims of serious injury. With brain injury, they may even argue that your symptoms are subjective or unrelated.

Burg Simpson has been standing up to insurance companies for over 40 years. Our team of award-winning and nationally recognized attorneys has the background and resources necessary to build the strongest case and fight for every penny you are due.

Our team can:

• Thoroughly investigate your crash
• Work with medical experts to document your care needs
• Calculate future costs, including lost wages
• Negotiate with insurance for a fair settlement
• Take your case to trial if a settlement cannot be reached

We are experienced and trial-tested lawyers with a proud history of securing significant settlements and verdicts for our clients. If you have sustained a brain injury in a car accident, we are here to stand by your side, stand up for your rights, and help you secure the full compensation you deserve.

Contact Our Phoenix Office for a FREE Case Review

If you are experiencing possible signs of brain injury after a car accident in yourself or someone you love, get medical help right away. Then use our online contact form or call our Phoenix office to schedule a FREE case review and learn how we can help you seek compensation for all of your damages. We accept cases from clients living throughout Arizona.