If you get into a car accident and experience a sudden blow or jolt to your head, you could also sustain a traumatic brain injury. Brain injuries can range from minor concussions to long-term, debilitating injuries.
Brain injuries are a common car accident injury, and the Brain Trauma Foundation states that every year, approximately 2.5 million people sustain a brain injury. Although all brain injuries manifest differently, there are some common cognitive, physical and emotional symptoms to watch out for.
Cognitive
If you have a brain injury, you may have a hard time concentrating and thinking clearly. You may also experience difficulties remembering new information and thinking through tasks quickly.
Physical
Some of the physical symptoms of a brain injury you could experience after a car accident include dizziness, nausea or vomiting and feeling tired. You may also experience sensitivity to light or noise.
Emotional
You may find that you are more irritable if you have a brain injury or that you feel abnormally sad for extended periods of time. Other emotional symptoms can include increased nervousness or anxiousness and feeling more emotional in general.
If you sustain a brain injury in a motor vehicle accident, some of these symptoms may start right away while others may take weeks or even months to show up after the initial trauma. You should seek immediate medical attention if you have a debilitating headache that does not go away, have seizures, have a hard time recognizing common people or places, lose consciousness or experience decreased coordination.