Brain Injuries after Automotive Accidents

Traumatic Brain Injury

An auto accident can leave you with severe injuries including broken bones, internal bleeding, and even a traumatic brain injury. One of the biggest concerns with a traumatic brain injury is that you might not even initially realize that you have one. You might avoid medical care because you feel fine. Even if you do seek medical care, a brain injury can be easily missed especially if you do not have any symptoms yet.

What is a Brain Injury and How do They Happen?

There is a common misconception that you must hit your head hard to suffer a brain injury. This is not always the case. In fact, you don’t even need to hit your head on anything at all. Being in a car accident forces the body to come to a complete stop, often jerking the body forward. This movement can cause the brain to hit the skull, thus leaving brain damage. Of course, impact with the dashboard or another hard substance can also cause brain damage.

Symptoms of a Brain Injury

Another common misconception is that if you suffer a brain injury, you will lose consciousness. This is also not always the case. Being in a car accident releases adrenaline which can mask the symptoms of a brain injury. However, the brain continues to bleed and swell, making the symptoms worsen over time.

These are just a few of the most common symptoms that you might experience after suffering a brain injury:

• Loss of consciousness
• Chronic headache
• Convulsions
• Dizziness
• General fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dilated eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Difficulty concentrating
• Weakness or numbness

Keep in mind that not everyone will have all of these symptoms. It is also possible that symptoms will start off mild and then progress over time.

Be Cautious Following a Fairview Auto Accident

Brain injuries require immediate treatment. But because they are fairly easy to miss, many people will prolong or miss treatment altogether. As a general rule, it is best to seek medical attention immediately following an auto accident. If you believe that you may have hit your head, be sure to inform your medical provider.

It can be helpful to ask about head injuries during treatment. Medical providers are familiar with identifying some of the symptoms that could indicate a brain injury. Your medical providers can also run tests to determine any injury to the brain.

Your Legal Options Following a Brain Injury

Brain injuries are very complicated. It can take months to identify brain damage and at that point, it can be difficult to connect it to the auto accident. Treating a brain injury can also be costly and require that the patient take time away from work. The best way to avoid a complicated case is to always seek medical care following an auto accident. If you think you might have injured your head, reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact a Millcreek Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Brain Injury Case in Pennsylvania

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an auto accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. represent clients injured because of auto accidents in Erie, Millcreek, Harborcreek, Fairview, Meadville and throughout Pennsylvania. Call 814-273-2010 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2525 W 26th St., Erie, PA 16506 as well as offices in Meadville and North East.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.