The Most Common Hidden Injuries after a Florida Car Accident
After a car accident, visible injuries often receive the most attention. If there are no broken bones, deep cuts, or severe pain, many people return to their normal routines. However, not all injuries are immediately obvious to the naked eye.
Common hidden injuries after a Florida car accident include whiplash and soft tissue damage, which may appear 24 to 48 hours after the crash; concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs); internal bleeding; organ damage; spinal disc injuries; and emotional trauma.
Hidden injuries can affect your concentration, physical health, and mental well-being. If not treated timely, they can also be deadly.
With September being Concussion Awareness Month, we are going to address how to recognize concussions, a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that disrupts brain function.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are often among the least visible but most serious injuries after an accident. They commonly occur in motor vehicle crashes because of the force of the impact. Even milder TBIs, such as concussions, can have significant consequences, especially when they happen repeatedly. Traumatic brain injuries can result from many types of accidents, including auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability accidents, and construction accidents.
TBIs can affect people of any age and may cause serious, lifelong effects, including loss of muscle control, speech, vision, hearing, or taste. The frontal lobe, which helps control personality, is often damaged in car accidents when a person’s head strikes the windshield, steering wheel, airbag, or roof of the vehicle.
What Are TBI Symptoms?
TBI symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the impact to the brain. Effects may be physical or psychological, and while some symptoms appear immediately, others may not develop until days or weeks after the accident.
The signs and symptoms of a mild TBI may include:
- Temporary loss of consciousness;
- A feeling of being dazed, disoriented or confused;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Headache;
- Feeling drowsy or fatigued;
- Struggling with speech;
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping excessively;
- Loss of balance;
- Suffering from sensory issues, including blurred vision, hearing ringing in the ears, having a bad taste in the mouth or recognizing changes in the ability to smell;
- Suffering from a sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights;
- Trouble remembering or concentrating;
- Sudden mood swings;
- Feeling anxious or depressed.
Moderate to Severe TBI Symptoms:
Moderate to severe TBI symptoms may include physical, sensory, or psychological changes that appear within hours of the accident or develop days later. These can include:
- Loss of consciousness lasting from several minutes to several hours;
- A persistent headache or one that worsens over time;
- Repeated vomiting or nausea;
- Seizures or convulsions;
- Pupils being dilated;
- Clear fluid draining from the ears or nose;
- Not being able to wake up from deep sleep;
- Feeling weak or numb in the fingers or toes;
- Loss of coordination;
- Feeling confused, agitated, combative; or angry;
- Slurring speech;
- Coma or other consciousness disorders.
These symptoms are severe and should be taken seriously as soon as they are experienced. The results could be permanent or even deadly if medical attention is not sought immediately.
TBIs and Children
Recognizing a TBI in a child can be difficult because infants and young children may not be able to describe their symptoms. A child with a headache or other TBI-related symptoms may simply cry or say they do not feel well. After an accident, caregivers should watch closely for unusual behavior or the following warning signs:
- Changes in the child’s nursing or eating habits;
- If the child is easily agitated or irritated;
- Inability of the child to be consoled when crying or upset;
- Noticeable inability of the child to focus or pay attention;
- Change in the child’s sleeping habits or patterns;
- Seizures;
- Sad or depressed mood;
- Drowsiness or sleeping more than usual;
- Sudden loss of interest by the child in his or her favorite toys or activities.
Parents know their children best, so if an infant or young child acts noticeably different after an accident, do not take chances. Have the child examined by a doctor and never ignore symptoms that could indicate a TBI.
FREE CONSULTATION WITH A MIAMI AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
If you were injured in a Florida motor vehicle accident, consult an experienced Miami auto accident attorney as soon as possible. Florida accident victims have only 14 days to seek initial medical care to qualify for insurance benefits, so prompt medical attention is important. Spencer Aronfeld is a Board Certified Trial Lawyer, and the attorneys at Aronfeld Trial Lawyers understand Florida’s complex personal injury laws. Since 1991, we have fought to protect injured people and their families while holding insurers such as State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, GEICO, and others accountable for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Contact us today to speak with an experienced Miami auto accident attorney toll-free at 1-866-597-4529, locally at 305-441-0440, or by email. We offer a free initial consultation at your home, office, hotel, or hospital. Call us today; we are ready to help.
Related Resources on Traumatic Brain Injuries:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/signs-symptoms/index.html