Delayed Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident
A traumatic brain injury can occur after a car accident, motorcycle crash, fall, or other incident involving a blow or sudden force to the head. While some brain injuries cause noticeable symptoms immediately, others may be more difficult to recognize.
A person may walk away from an accident believing they are relatively unharmed, only to experience headaches, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, memory problems, or other symptoms later.
Understanding that traumatic brain injury symptoms can sometimes be delayed is important both for protecting your health and documenting an injury that may have resulted from someone else's negligence.
At Rodriguez Law Group, Inc., we represent individuals and families affected by serious injuries throughout Pasadena, San Gabriel, and communities across Southern California.
Looking for a Pasadena brain injury lawyer, we can help!
Can Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms Be Delayed?
Yes. Symptoms associated with a traumatic brain injury, including a concussion, may not always be obvious immediately following an accident.
According to the CDC, signs and symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion may appear right away, while others may not be noticed for hours or days after the injury.
The circumstances surrounding an accident can also make symptoms difficult to recognize. Immediately after a serious collision or fall, a person may be focused on other injuries or simply not realize that changes in concentration, mood, sleep, or memory could be related to a head injury.
This is one reason it is important to take potential head injuries seriously, even when symptoms initially seem minor.
What Are Some Delayed Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injuries can affect people differently. The symptoms someone experiences can depend on the nature and severity of the injury.
Possible symptoms may include:
Headaches
Dizziness or problems with balance
Nausea or vomiting
Blurred or double vision
Sensitivity to light or noise
Fatigue or low energy
Difficulty concentrating
Memory problems
Feeling mentally slowed down or foggy
Changes in sleeping patterns
Irritability or unusual emotional changes
Anxiety or nervousness
Not everyone with a traumatic brain injury will experience the same symptoms. Some symptoms can also be associated with conditions other than a TBI, which is why medical evaluation is important after a potential head injury.
Do You Have to Lose Consciousness to Have a Traumatic Brain Injury?
No. A person does not necessarily have to lose consciousness to experience a traumatic brain injury.
This is an important misconception because someone who remained awake and alert throughout an accident may assume that they could not have suffered a concussion or other brain injury.
A TBI can result from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, as well as an injury that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. For example, a person involved in a vehicle collision may experience significant forces even if their head never directly strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or window.
Whether a traumatic brain injury occurred should be evaluated by an appropriate medical professional rather than based solely on whether the person lost consciousness.
Accidents That Can Cause Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can result from many types of accidents. In personal injury cases, some common circumstances include:
The forces involved in a vehicle collision can cause the head and brain to move suddenly. Drivers and passengers may also strike their heads against windows, headrests, steering wheels, dashboards, or other parts of the vehicle.
Motorcyclists have significantly less physical protection than occupants of passenger vehicles. A collision can cause a rider to strike another vehicle, the roadway, or another object, potentially resulting in serious head and brain injuries.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrians and bicyclists struck by vehicles can experience significant impacts and may suffer head injuries during the initial collision or when they subsequently strike the ground.
Falls can cause brain injuries when a person's head strikes the floor, stairs, pavement, or another hard surface.
Workplace and Construction Accidents
Falls from heights, falling objects, equipment accidents, and other workplace incidents may result in head injuries. Depending on how the accident occurred, workers' compensation or a potential third-party injury claim may be involved.
Why Medical Documentation Matters After a Head Injury
Seeking appropriate medical attention after an accident is primarily important for your health. It can also create documentation showing when symptoms were reported and what treatment or evaluation was provided.
This can become particularly important when symptoms develop or become noticeable after the initial accident.
An insurance company may question whether symptoms reported days after an accident were actually caused by the accident. Medical records, diagnostic testing when appropriate, follow-up appointments, and documentation of how symptoms have progressed can help establish a clearer timeline.
Individuals should accurately describe their symptoms to their healthcare providers, including when the symptoms began and whether they have changed since the accident.
What If Your TBI Symptoms Did Not Appear Until Days After the Accident?
Delayed symptoms do not automatically mean that an injury is unrelated to an accident.
However, when there is a gap between an accident and the recognition or documentation of symptoms, questions about causation can become an important part of an injury claim.
Evidence that may be relevant can include medical records, emergency room records, accident reports, witness statements, photographs or videos, and documentation showing how the person's condition changed following the accident.
A brain injury lawyer can review the circumstances surrounding the accident and the available evidence to determine what legal options may be available.
How Can a Pasadena Brain Injury Lawyer Help?
Traumatic brain injury cases can be complicated because the full effects of an injury may not always be immediately visible. Some individuals experience cognitive, physical, or emotional changes that affect their ability to work, maintain relationships, or complete everyday activities.
A Pasadena brain injury lawyer can investigate how the accident occurred, gather evidence related to liability, review available medical documentation, communicate with insurance companies, and document the financial and personal consequences of the injury.
Depending on the circumstances, a claim may involve compensation for medical expenses, future treatment needs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses permitted under California law.
Rodriguez Law Group, Inc. evaluates each case individually and helps injured clients understand the legal options that may be available based on the specific circumstances of their accident and injuries.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer After a Traumatic Brain Injury?
If another person's negligence may have caused an accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury, speaking with an attorney early in the process can help you understand your rights and preserve potentially important evidence.
California also imposes deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. The applicable deadline can vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the parties involved, so injured individuals should not assume that the same deadline applies in every situation.
Speak With a Southern California Brain Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one developed symptoms of a traumatic brain injury after an accident, Rodriguez Law Group, Inc. can help you understand your legal options.
Our firm represents clients throughout Southern California, including Pasadena, San Gabriel, West Los Angeles, Westlake, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and surrounding communities.
Contact Rodriguez Law Group, Inc. to discuss your situation and learn more about pursuing a potential personal injury claim: https://www.attorneyprod.com/san-gabriel-law-firm-near-me
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you believe you may have suffered a traumatic brain injury, consult an appropriate medical professional regarding your symptoms and treatment. Laws and filing deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances of a case, so consult a qualified attorney regarding your specific legal situation.
