How Can I Tell if a Head Injury From a Car Accident Is Mild or Severe?

You can tell if a head injury from a car accident is mild or severe by your symptoms. Mild head injuries exhibit symptoms such as minor headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Severe injuries may cause loss of consciousness for several minutes, persistent nausea, or convulsions. 

No matter the nature of your head injury, it is important to see a doctor immediately for an evaluation. Some head injuries may have delayed symptoms that do not manifest for days or weeks. Your doctor can accurately diagnose the severity of your injury. 

If you have been in a car accident and believe you have sustained a head injury, the next most important thing is to contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer. We can help you get the compensation you need to recover. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Head Injury Symptoms

A head injury can cause mild pain that heals in a few days or severe damage that lasts long-term. After an accident, it can be hard to tell the severity of a head injury. 

Your symptoms might help you identify a mild versus a more severe head injury. However, always see a doctor to know for sure what you’re dealing with after a car accident.

Head injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and brain injury are often used interchangeably. Someone might also refer to a head injury as a concussion. These terms can describe many different types of trauma affecting the head area.

Mild Head Injury Symptoms

Mild TBIs are known as concussions, and they are common after car accidents. Mild head injuries can lead to symptoms like:

• Headaches
• Mild confusion
• Nausea
• Temporary tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Dizziness or balance issues
• A swollen or raised area
• Blurred vision
• Irritability or fatigue
• Trouble remembering or concentrating
• Sleep disruption

Severe Head Injury Symptoms

More severe head injuries usually fall into the “moderate” or “severe” categories. These injuries need prompt medical attention. Besides the side effects of mild TBIs, more severe head injuries can have symptoms like:

• Severe headaches that don’t go away or get worse
• Losing consciousness or going into a coma
• Locked-in syndrome (when someone cannot move or speak)
• Slurred speech
• Nausea or vomiting that doesn’t go away
• Seizures or convulsions
• Clear fluid leaking from the ears or nose
• Short-term memory loss
• Behavior changes, such as irritability or mood swings
• One dilated pupil
• Open head wounds

These are just some examples. Every case is different so a head injury might involve additional symptoms.

What Should You Do After a Head Injury in a Car Accident?

If you were in a car accident, always see a doctor afterward. Tell your doctor about any head-related pain or any of the above symptoms. 

Your symptoms alone may not be enough to determine whether your head injury from a car accident is mild or severe. Head injuries can also look and feel like other medical conditions, so it’s essential to get a physical exam immediately.

If you have a head injury from a car accident, you might have legal rights. Another driver might be liable for damages caused by your accident. Contact a skilled personal injury attorney who can advise you of your rights. 

Types of Head Injuries 

Car accidents can lead to many types of head injuries, ranging from mild to very severe. Common examples include:

• Concussions
• Contusions (bruises on the brain)
• Skull fractures
• Intracranial hemorrhages (ICH), which are broken arteries in the brain
• Diffuse axonal injuries (DAI), which cause damage from the brain moving inside the skull

An injury might be severe, even if the symptoms seem mild at first. It’s best to have a doctor check you for potential damage after your accident. That way, you’ll know if something is more severe and needs emergency attention. You could save yourself from worsening injuries or even permanent damage.

When to Get Immediate Medical Attention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dangerous blood clots can sometimes develop in the brain. The clot can put pressure on the brain and become life-threatening.

It’s best to get medical attention after any possible head injury from an accident. However, go to the emergency room immediately if you have symptoms like:

• Headaches that stay or get worse
• Drowsiness or not being able to wake up
• Slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Numbness or weakness
• Poor coordination
• Recurring nausea or vomiting
• One pupil that is larger than the other
• Not being able to recognize familiar places or people you know
• Seizures or convulsions
• Confusion, agitation, or restlessness that increases

These are all common symptoms of severe head injuries. If you have signs of a severe injury, do not wait to get help. You might need emergency medical treatment to avoid serious or life-threatening side effects.

How a Doctor Diagnoses Head Injuries

A doctor will usually order tests to check your head and brain for injuries. Before that, the doctor will likely do a physical exam. They’ll check for visible lacerations, bruises, or bleeding.

The doctor will also ask how you got your injuries. Tell them if you were injured in a car accident. Seeing a doctor will create a record of you getting medical attention after your accident. If someone else caused your crash, medical records will help back up your injury claim.

Tests your doctor might use to diagnose a head injury include:

• X-rays for images of the head and brain
• CT scans and MRIs that create detailed pictures of the brain
• EEGs that record brain activity
• Blood tests to check for unnatural changes in your body

How Much Is a Head Injury Settlement Worth?

If you were not at fault for your car accident, you have rights. You might have a personal injury claim against the other driver. The driver is likely responsible for the costs of your head injury.

Damages you can claim for your accident and injury costs include:

• Medical bills
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Pain and suffering

An experienced car accident lawyer can help document and prove your head injury after a car accident. A lawyer can also help build a claim and fight for your right to compensation.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer for Free Today

Head injuries can be complicated and confusing. It is hard to tell if your head injury from a car accident is mild or severe. Symptoms can provide a hint, but it is best to consult a medical professional. 

See a doctor as soon as possible, especially if you have severe symptoms. Then, reach out to a personal injury lawyer who can advise you of your rights and help you fight for compensation for your injuries.

At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping accident victims for over 20 years. Contact us today for a free consultation.