Imagine you were involved in a car accident on Broad Street in Richmond. While walking away from the crash scene, you feel shaken but physically intact. A few days later, something doesn’t quite feel right. You're forgetting simple things, feeling unusually irritable, and experiencing headaches that won't go away.
Our Virginia car accident lawyer understands that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) aren’t always immediately obvious. Delayed brain injury symptoms may not become apparent until days or even weeks after a car accident. Recognizing the signs of a TBI after a car accident as early as possible can make a significant difference in your recovery and personal injury claim.
Why Brain Injury Symptoms May Be Delayed
Traumatic brain injuries can be deceptive. The initial shock and adrenaline from a car crash might mask symptoms, causing you to miss important warning signs. Additionally, some types of brain injuries develop gradually as swelling and inflammation progress.
During a collision on Richmond's busy highways, your brain may strike the inside of your skull even if your head doesn't hit anything. This happens when your vehicle stops suddenly, but your brain continues moving within your skull, causing bruising and tearing of delicate brain tissue. These injuries might not cause immediate symptoms but can develop into serious problems over time.
Common Delayed Brain Injury Symptoms to Recognize
If you experience any of the following symptoms days or weeks after a car accident, you may have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Cognitive Issues
Brain injury victims may suffer cognitive challenges.
- Memory problems often manifest as forgetting recent conversations or misplacing everyday items. A construction worker might find himself unable to remember job instructions given just moments earlier or forget where he parked at the job site.
- Concentration difficulties can make it challenging to focus on tasks that were previously routine. You might find yourself reading the same paragraph repeatedly or unable to follow the plot of a TV show you normally enjoy.
- Confusion or disorientation might appear when performing familiar tasks. A mother who has driven the same route to her child's school for years might suddenly get lost or feel uncertain about which turns to take.
Physical Symptoms
A traumatic brain injury can manifest as physical symptoms long after the initial accident.
- Persistent headaches that worsen over time are one of the most common delayed TBI symptoms. According to the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center, these headaches may persist for weeks and often don't respond well to over-the-counter pain medications.
- Balance problems and dizziness might make you feel unsteady on your feet. A once-steady restaurant server might suddenly struggle to carry trays without feeling off-balance.
- Vision changes such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or seeing double can develop days after an accident. A computer programmer might notice increased eye strain or difficulty focusing on screen text that wasn't present before the crash.
Emotional and Sleep Disturbances
Subtle changes in mood and personality can appear after a brain injury.
- Mood changes, including irritability, anxiety, or depression, may emerge gradually. Family members often notice these changes before the injured person does.
- Sleep disturbances such as insomnia or excessive sleepiness can indicate brain injury. You might find yourself unable to fall asleep despite feeling exhausted, or conversely, sleeping much more than usual.
- Emotional sensitivity might cause you to feel overwhelmed by situations that wouldn't normally bother you. A normally even-tempered accountant might find himself tearful during a routine work meeting.
What to Do When You Suspect a Delayed TBI
If you notice any potential brain injury symptoms after a car accident, taking prompt action is vital for both your health and any future legal claims.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor about your recent accident and all symptoms you're experiencing, even ones that seem minor. Medical documentation creates an essential link between your accident and injury.
- Follow all treatment recommendations. Brain injuries often require specialized care, and failing to follow medical advice could worsen your condition and potentially harm your legal case.
- Keep a detailed journal of your symptoms. Note when they occur and how they affect your daily life, providing valuable evidence of how the injury impacts you over time.
- Speak with a Richmond brain injury lawyer. Virginia follows a pure contributory negligence rule under Virginia Code § 8.01-58. If you're found even 1% at fault, you may be barred from recovery.
How The Mottley Law Firm Can Help With Your TBI Case
Proving a traumatic brain injury claim after a car accident requires specialized knowledge and experience. Insurance companies often dispute these claims because brain injuries don't always appear on standard imaging tests, and symptoms can be subjective. They may try to assign some blame to you, preventing recovery of damages under the contributory negligence standard.
Our Richmond brain injury lawyers work with medical experts who can explain how your crash caused your TBI, even if symptoms were delayed. We understand the medical terminology and can translate complex diagnoses into language that clearly demonstrates your injury's impact.
We help gather critical evidence to support your claim, including accident reconstruction reports, witness statements, and expert medical testimony. Acting promptly is essential to preserving vital evidence. Don't dismiss persistent symptoms after a car accident. Fight for the compensation you deserve.
