Maryland highways are dangerous places. There may be little to nothing you can do to avoid a collision, especially if a drunk driver or reckless person is sharing your roadway. The impact of a sudden collision often has serious, lasting effects. However, it’s possible that you can suffer traumatic brain injury and not even know it right away.
The symptoms of blunt force trauma to the brain are not always immediately apparent. That’s why close observation and medical attention are essential. Even if you’ve been home for a couple of days or longer, if you think your condition is not progressing as it should, don’t hesitate to go back to the hospital or make an appointment to see your doctor.
Issues that are definitely cause for concern
It’s certainly not uncommon to feel upset, weary or sore in the hours and days (even weeks) that follow a motor vehicle collision. If you experience any of the symptoms included on the following list, however, it could be a sign of a more serious, underlying problem, like traumatic brain injury:
- It can take a long time to recover from the emotional trauma of a collision, especially if you suffered severe injuries. If you’re experiencing sudden mood swings or are having trouble controlling your emotions, it might be a symptom of brain injury.
- Facial or jaw pain, headache or cranial discomfort, and any upper body pain are also common symptoms of brain trauma.
- If you have trouble speaking or forming coherent thoughts, it definitely warrants immediate medical attention.
- Nausea, dizziness or fatigue may also signify an underlying brain injury problem.
In short, you should start to feel a bit better every day as you recover from a collision. It’s always best to seek medical attention if you’re not feeling right. Some of the symptoms of traumatic brain injury are very subtle, and it’s better to err on the side of safety than wind up in a life-threatening condition.
Building a strong support network is key
Your spouse or other loved ones at home will no doubt play a crucial role on your road to recovery. You may also be connected with a competent medical team that includes doctors, nurses or even surgeons. In-home care services may help you function on a daily basis.
Many Maryland accident victims also meet with experienced personal injury law attorneys, especially when another driver’s negligence was responsible for a particular collision and injuries that resulted. Filing a personal injury claim could allow you to seek compensation for allowable damages.
