Whether you saw a potential problem on the road and were simply unable to safely react to avoid a crash or the sudden impact of collision seemingly came out of nowhere, recovering from a car accident can be stressful. You were likely taken to a Louisiana hospital after the accident. However, injuries aren’t always immediately apparent, so if you went home thinking everything was fine, it’s important to pay attention to how you feel in the days that follow.
You might assume that people who suffer traumatic brain injuries are typically unconscious or severely bleeding when they arrive at the hospital. The fact is, however, you might have a brain injury and not even know it right away. You might not develop symptoms for hours or even days later. That’s why it’s important to know how to recognize symptoms and seek medical attention if something doesn’t seem right.
It is common to not feel well after a collision
You were no doubt shaken emotionally after another vehicle hit you on a Louisiana roadway. It’s not uncommon to have trouble sleeping or feel anxious and stressed after a car accident. The following list includes other symptoms that may accompany such issues, which warrant further medical support:
- If you experience sudden mood swings or difficulty controlling your emotions, it can be a sign of a serious, underlying problem such as traumatic brain injury.
- Feeling confused after a collision might be par for the course. Then again, it is often a sign of a TBI, which is why it’s best to seek medical attention if you experience this symptom.
- Facial discomfort, jaw pain, headache or dizziness are all definite causes for concern if you develop these symptoms within hours or days of a car accident.
- Memory loss is typically a normal part of the aging process and might even be a natural consequence of the emotional shock of a car accident. However, if you feel confused, can’t form coherent thoughts or are struggling to remember simple things such as loved ones’ names or what you ate for lunch, it definitely warrants seeking medical attention.
Any type of jolt, blunt force or bump to the head can cause traumatic brain injury. If you do return to the hospital or your doctor’s office because of troubling symptoms after a collision, make sure the attending doctor knows you were recently in a car accident.
If your TBI is another person’s fault
Everyone knows that medical care is expensive. If you have to take time off work after a collision, it can quickly erupt into financial crisis. People often start using credit cards to pay medical bills and other expenses when they lose wages after an accident. Many accident victims later seek financial recovery for their losses in court when they determine that another person’s negligence was responsible for their injuries.