Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) top the list of the worst injuries possible after a car crash. Damage to the brain can cause a variety of debilitating symptoms. Despite how severe brain injuries can be, people often fail to notice them immediately after a car crash. With exceptions for scenarios where the collision leaves a person unconscious for an extended period, it can be difficult to detect a brain injury without the support of a medical professional.
Why do people often fail to identify the early warning signs of a TBI after a car crash?
The slow development of symptoms
TBIs differ from many other traumatic injuries because of the delayed onset of symptoms. Brain injuries often involve bleeding or inflammation of the brain. Initially, the injury may not be severe enough to produce noticeable symptoms.
However, as the bleeding or swelling continues, the mounting pressure inside the skull can produce a variety of different symptoms. People with TBIs may feel fine the first day after the crash, only to have symptoms develop as time passes.
The body’s stress response may also help hide the potential early warning signs of a TBI. Without the support of a physician who has access to modern imaging devices, people could overlook TBIs until they worsen significantly.
The broad range of symptoms possible
A broken bone often looks distorted and causes significant pain. The handful of symptoms possible allows for a relatively straightforward diagnostic process in most cases. TBIs are different.
The brain controls everything from a person’s memory and personality to their motor control and sense of balance. The symptoms that they develop depend on the location of the injury, the severity of the injury and even their unique neurology.
Some people develop equilibrium issues. Others struggle to walk or to maintain the same degree of fine motor control they previously enjoyed. Other people notice changes in their memory or personality. Even sensory perception can change, with people experiencing blurry vision or other unusual sensory input because of their TBIs.
Seeing a physician shortly after a car crash is typically the best way to diagnose or rule out a TBI. People who are aware that they could overlook life-altering injuries may better understand the importance of seeing a doctor after a crash for their own protection.
