People who are involved in motor vehicle crashes sometimes suffer catastrophic injuries, such as ones that impact the brain. These can have a long-lasting impact on the victim’s life, so it’s critical that anyone who’s been involved in a crash understands the nature of these injuries.
One factor that makes a traumatic brain injury so challenging for victims is that they can have a range of symptoms. The effects of the injury can vary greatly from one person to another.
Symptoms aren’t always instant
Symptoms of a brain injury may not show up right after the crash. Instead, it can take days to weeks for victims to notice that anything is amiss. For many people with this type of injury, a severe, persistent headache is the primary symptom that occurs. Other symptoms might also be present. These include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Sensory changes
- Difficulty speaking
Other symptoms are also possible for victims who have a brain injury. More serious brain injuries can result in more severe symptoms, up to and including loss of consciousness or death.
Life after a brain injury
Brain injuries require medical care, which can be costly. Lifelong care, including doctor’s visits, therapy appointments and certain home and vehicle modifications, is sometimes necessary. Because all of this can become expensive, especially if the victim is unable to work, they may opt to pursue a compensation claim for the financial damages. This must be done within the time limit that’s set by law, so working with someone familiar with these matters is beneficial.